Date:
Monday, February 26, 2007
Contact:
Tonia Buell, Communications Manager, (360) 705-7439
Brian Lagerberg, Program Manager, (360) 705-7878
WSDOT calls for projects that reduce drive-alone commuting
OLYMPIA –The Washington State Department of Transportation is looking for entrepreneurs and business leaders to create and manage cost-effective projects that help get people out of their cars and onto buses, trains, vanpools, and other commute options.
“We’ll pay you to reduce the number of commuters who drive alone,” said Brian Lagerberg, Commute Trip Reduction Board Chair and WSDOT manager. “Removing commute trips from the road is a quick and cost-effective way to help balance demand and capacity on the highway system, particularly during rush hour.”
Private, public, and non-profit entities are eligible to compete for Trip Reduction Performance Program (TRPP) funds to reduce drive-alone vehicle trips. Applicants will compete for $1.5 million total for 2007-2009 projects.
Past TRPP participants include Nintendo of America Inc., Washington State University, Sage Manufacturing, Children's Hospital, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, and David Evans and Associates. During the 2001-2003 program, TRPP participants removed more than 1.2 million vehicle trips at an average cost of less than a dollar a trip.
Your Idea. Your Reward. Everyone Benefits!
An organization can receive up to $100,000 per year by creating a project that reduces the number of employees who drive alone to work. WSDOT will reimburse startup costs and, if the project is successful at getting people to take a bus, a bike, or other commute alternative on a regular basis, WSDOT will pay for trips reduced.
WSDOT staff will conduct free trainings to applicants on how to develop proposal at the following locations:
Spokane: February 28
Olympia: March 5
Seattle: March 7
Proposals are due at 5 p.m. on March 30. WSDOT will announce winning projects this spring and projects will start on July 1.
The Washington State Legislature created the Trip Reduction Performance Program in 2003. Additional information is available on WSDOT’s Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/tdm/trpp
Interested organizations can sign up for a workshop or request a proposal packet by contacting Hiep Tran at tranh@wsdot.wa.gov or (360) 705-7806.
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