Employers

Are you trying to squeeze too many cars into too few parking spaces?

Are you trying to attract and retain skilled employees who live far from your worksite?

Are your employees burdened by high fuel prices? Is the stress of commuting lowering their productivity?

Would you like your business to be recognized for helping the community?

Smart Trips Employer Partners

We can help you establish a worksite program that addresses these challenges by encouraging employees to leave their cars at home and to make Smart Trips. The Whatcom Smart Trips office offers free services to Smart Trips Employer Partners.

In exchange for these services, we only ask that you designate a worksite transportation coordinator and that you allow that person 1-2 hours per month to administer your program. (Programs for large worksites will take more administration time.)

In addition to the business benefits of running a Smart Trips employer program, you'll also make important contributions to our community. Smart Trips:

• Reduce traffic congestion
• Build a more efficient transportation system that provides more mobility and access for less cost
• Provide health benefits to individuals
• Strengthen social connections
• Create a more vibrant local business community
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other types of air and water pollution

Employers of all sizes can partner with Whatcom Smart Trips. Contact us to sign up.

Successful Worksite Programs

Depending upon the size and location of the worksite, employers include one or more of the following strategies in their Smart Trips programs:

• Reduce the need for personal vehicles by:
  • Providing on-site services or shuttle to services (such as food, day care, etc.)
  • Providing company vehicles for work errands
  • Helping employees find carpool partners
  • Allowing employees to telework of work compressed schedules

• Provide or improve facilities such as:
  • Bicycle racks
  • Showers and clothes lockers
  • Bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly access
  • Easy access to bus stops

• Make Smart Trips attractive by:
  • Giving financial incentives to employees using alternatives to driving alone
  • Recognizing and thanking employees for using alternatives to driving alone
  • Communicating management support for the program
  • Providing preferential parking for carpools and vanpools
  • Selling or providing subsidized bus passes on-site

• Promote Smart Trips by:
  • Writing articles for company newsletters or hosting how-to workshops
  • Participating in campaigns such as Wheel Options and Team Up for everybodyBIKE

The Whatcom Smart Trips office helps employers to implement these program elements.

CTR Worksites

Some larger employers are required to follow particular program guidelines.

CTR worksites are affected by the state's Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) law. They are required to develop programs that aim to reduce the number of employees who drive alone to work. They measure their progress by doing surveys every other year. The Whatcom Smart Trips office provides materials and services to help these employers meet their goals.

CTR worksites have 100 or more full-time employees at a single worksite who are scheduled to:

• begin their regular work day between 6:00am and 9:00am,
• work two or more weekdays, and
• work for at least 12 consecutive months

Worksites that meet these criteria, and don't already participate in CTR, must notify us.

CTR worksites must:

• Appoint an Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC)
• Distribute information annually to employees about alternatives to driving alone
• Conduct employee transportation surveys every two years
• Provide annual progress reports
• Keep records of program