The seventh annual Way to Go! Commuter Challenge kicks off on May 13th, and it’s generating a lot of excitement. So far, 130 businesses have signed up to participate, and more than 1,500 commuters are pledged to take part. In addition, Governor Shumlin has officially proclaimed May 13th-17th as “Way to Go! Week” in Vermont to voice his support for the effort, which saves money while reducing air pollution and congestion on the state’s roads.
The challenge is designed to raise awareness of transportation options among commuters by encouraging them to travel in ways other than driving alone. Participants pledge to take the bus, bike, walk, carpool, car share, or telecommute during the week of the challenge, and become eligible to win a variety of prizes, including gym memberships, ski passes, hotel stays, transit passes, and much more.
New this year, businesses and organizations that sign up can issue challenges to “throw down” against each other in mini-contests that get the competitive juices flowing among their employees – and help them save big on their commuting costs. For example, two State of Vermont agencies are competing for first place in what promises to be an exciting battle: “VTrans has invited the Agency of Natural Resources to a friendly competition to see who might save the most miles and carbon,” noted Ross MacDonald, Go Vermont Program Manager at the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
“We are really thrilled with the response we are seeing to Way to Go! so far this year,” said Carol Weston of the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, a lead organizer of the challenge. “But there is still time to do even better. When people take advantage of commuting options such as carpooling, bicycling, walking, and public transit, they save big money – and they’ll have a lot of fun exploring Vermont in a whole new way.”
Participation in the challenge has continued to grow since it was first held in 2006, and organizers look forward to another banner year! Be sure to visit the website to learn more about special events planned and the great raffle prizes to be drawn each week through the end of the event. Sign up and spread the word at www.waytogovt.org.
Way to Go! is supported by a wide network of 34 partner and sponsor organizations from around Vermont, including lead partner the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC).
Eliminate commuting - work at home!
I gave up commuting in 1997 by starting a business and working from home. My commute now involves walking from one room to another. As for alternative means of getting there, perhaps I can get the cats to pull me by sled.
Even though I got no prizes or awards for eliminating commuting, I still like and support this effort. So many people that work together live near one another, and sharing travel to work is a great energy reducer.
It can also be rather social and a way to meet people you might not otherwise spend time with.
Good luck, commuters…
Benchmark
There is value in knowing what we’re actually capable of doing when we set out for a goal.
Given the lateness of the hour, once we see what we can do…I’d propose a reversal…one week a year we can go our usual gluttonous ways, and the rest of the time we try to better ourselves and improve our methods.
How about every other other week if my idea is too much to ask for? How little a change is tolerable?