Date:  Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Contact: Michele Villnave, Communications Manager, 360-705-7875
Brian Lagerberg, Program Manager, 360-705-7878

OLYMPIA –The Washington State Department of Transportation is looking for innovative and effective programs that get people out of their cars and into buses, trains, vanpools, or other commute options.

In Round I of the 2007-2009 Trip Reduction Performance Program (TRPP), applicants competed for $1.5 million. The Washington State Legislature has made available an additional $1 million for Round II. Now it is your turn to join with other Washington companies and come up with ways to improve traffic in your area.

“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 TRPP funds to reduce drive-alone vehicle trips. Applicants will compete for $1 million total for 2007-2009 projects.

Don’t Wait for Change. Your Idea. Your Reward. Everyone Benefits!

Successful organizations can receive up to $100,000 per year by creating a project that reduces the number of employees who drive alone to work. Projects with multiple partners can earn even more, up to $250,000 per year. 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 vehicle trips reduced.

In August and September WSDOT staff will conduct free training sessions on how to develop a proposal. Interested organizations can sign up for training or request a proposal packet by contacting Hiep Tran at tranh@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-705-7806.

Proposals are due at 5:00 p.m. on September 21, 2007.

The Washington State Legislature created the Trip Reduction Performance Program in 2003. Learn more about WSDOT's TRPP program.

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