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EnviroNews

Pool Partners Get Priority Parking
at Scott Road Station

BC Transit’s first public ridematch project
was launched September 5 with the introduc-
tion of “Pool Partners” at Scott Road SkyTrain
Station. This pilot project will assess market
demand for a service like this, provide a field
test of newly developed rideshare matching
software, and help us evaluate BC Transit’s
ability to act as program administrators,

‘The Pool Partners program offers two
specific services: carpool matching and
carpool registration for preferred parking.
Specialized rideshare software enables BC
Transit to put Scott Road commuters living
near each other, and with similar work
schedules, in touch with each other. During
startup, potential pool partners can meet
over coffee at the station before committing
to a carpool. Once three or more have
agreed to rideshare, they formally register
their carpool with BC Transit. Only
registered vehicles with valid parking tags
may be parked in a newly-designated,
carpool-only lot, located directly adjacent
to the station’s east entrance,

ecommendations
Get Green Light

Since it began in July 1990, the BC Transit
Employee Environment Committee (EEC),
has been driving its “green machine” toward
higher employee awareness of environmental
issues. On October 8, at a senior manage~
ment meeting, the EEC Transportation sub-
committee presented three recommenda-
tions, which were approved by the senios
managers present. The recommendations,
which are pending final implementation,
state:

- BC Transit management cornamit to Go
Green at least once a week or month

«BC Transit’s four Airport Square carpool
parking spaces be increased from four to eight

« BC Transit implement a “Guaranteed
Ride Home” program which would provide
free transportation home -—~ in cases of
emergency — for employees who carpool, or
use transit or alternative methods of getting
to and from work.

Karen Hodgson, EEC chairperson, said,
“These initiatives were proposed to reduce
automobile emissions and to encourage

At present, Transit’s carpool matching
team is processing rideshare applications and
registering new and existing carpools. A
mandatory twice-yearly registration update
will help them raanage the program effi-
cienuy while monitoring its effectiveness. In
addition, follow-up research provided at
three», six-, and 12 months will enable BC

C Transit Plot

»

Transit to adapt and improve the program
while considering similar programs at other
Park & Ride locations.

One measure of the popularity of the Scott
Road Sky Train connection is that the adjacent
Park & Ride lot has been very well used since
opening, Service changes were introduced last
fall to encourage greater use of feeder buses, but
commuters generally resisted this option,
preferring to begin their daily commute by
dviving to the station, Furthermore, a survey of
Park & Ride lot patrons revealed that at least 85
per cent drive alone to the lot, even though the
majority live close, both to each other and the
station.

Even so, the Go Green message is geting
out. The Marketing Department believes
that as more commuters become aware that
tailpipe emissions are the single largest
source of air pollutants, more will be willing
to try a rideshare arrangement.

For more information about Pool
Partners, or any other marketing program,
call 264-5283,

Another Way to

educe Auto Trips and Air Emissions

This month, BC Transit will introduce a
pilot program in the Lower Mainland to reduce
single-occupant vehicle (SOV) auto trips,
primarily to and from work and school. We
have designed and developed a pilot program,
called ETA (Employee Transportation
Administrator) Training. The first of its kind in
Canada, the program offers an action plan for
improving local air quality by reducing the total
number of vehicle trips in the region.

‘* ,. aS people movers,
we work to address
mobility needs...”

Representatives from key Lower Main-
land corporations, such as B.C. Tel, B.C.
Hydro and BCAA will participate in the
intensive two-day course. BC Transit will also
enrol a candidate in the program. Graduating

ETAs will be certified by BC Transit and the

employees to use transit and other more.
environmentally sensitive transportg

RAGE Vincouver Regional District (GVRD)

modes.”

and will Ge trained with skills to design,

implement and administer effective tip-
reduction plans at the workplace.

ETA training is based on Transportation
Demand Management (TDM) strategies —
strategies designed to influence travel
behavior to achieve more efficient use of
transportation facilities — and is comprised
of policies, programs and procedures that
have proven effective in reducing the
number of vehicles used in the daily com-
mute. These include ride matching, varied
work hours, car- and van-pooling and other
alternative means of commuting, The first
session will be held Novernber 18 and 21,

Mike O'Connor, president and chief
executive officer of BC Transit said, “In
fulfilling its mandate to provide sate, reliable,
effective, enviconmentally sensitive public
transit, BC Transit plays an important role
in the lives of the people living in our service
areas. In our role as people movers, we are
continuously engaged in long-term, strategic
planning to address the mobility needs of the
people we serve,”

For more information on the ETA program,
call Deming Smith, Marketing Department,
264-5235.

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