Executive Summary - December 1999
In 1991, the Washington State Legislature passed the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Law (RCW 70.94.521-551). The goals of the law are to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and petroleum consumption through employer-based programs that reduce peak hour, single-occupant vehicle commute trips in the stateís nine most populous counties.
In April, 1998, the Washington State Legislature appropriated $2.5 million from the High Capacity Transit Account to enhance the CTR Program. This money was directed to fund:
- Capital improvements to Puget Sound public vanpool programs ($1 million),
- Projects designed to reduce specific worksite barriers hindering the use of alternative commute modes ($500,000),
- Supplement alternative transportation subsidy programs offered by any employer located in CTR-affected counties ($1 million).
CTR Enhancement Grant Program Results
Three grant programs were designed, developed, and implemented to meet these legislative mandates. A competitive process was undertaken, and contracts awarded to 92 grant recipients. Activities were completed by June 30, 1999. All three grant programs achieved their goals within the timeframe set by the legislature. Customer feedback generated by grant recipients was positive, with the vast majority of recipients indicating support for similar grant opportunities in the future. Listed below are key results from the enhancement program:
- Eighty vans were added to Puget Soundís public vanpool network.
- A Regional Vanpool Coordination Team, comprised of vanpool agency and employer representatives, was formed and the group reached agreement on strategies to increase vanpool ridership and rider satisfaction.
- Thirty-nine Employer Services grants initiated new transit routes, improved bicycle facilities, created new vanpools, provided new incentives to alternative transportation users, added guaranteed ride home programs, and supported education and outreach efforts at CTR-affected worksites across Washington state.
- Fifty-two Rideshare Subsidy grants were awarded to public and private sector employers for enhanced employee transportation subsidy programs, inspiring nearly 31,000 people to try or continue using an alternative to driving alone during the grant period.
- The State investment leveraged more than $4 million in private investment to increase the efficiency of the transportation system.
-> Chapter One: Enhancements