The Washington State Department of Transportation is partnering with the Washington State Transit Association, transit agencies, businesses, and others for this new “
Reinvent Your Commute” public outreach campaign.
Our mission is to raise awareness about commute alternatives and change the way people consider their commute. As gas prices continue to rise, more and more drivers are turning to alternatives. The “Reinvent Your Commute” campaign prompts drivers to think about their options and gives them information and tools to act.
The campaign helps create a unified effort for promoting the use of smart commute options such as riding or driving with others, riding the train or bus, bicycling, walking, or working from home.
Special thanks to our partners who are helping us raise awareness about commute alternatives and change the way people consider their commute. Learn more about the recent winners of the Governor's Commute Smart Awards. Download the Reinvent Your Commute presentation (pdf 322k)
2009-2011 Public Transportation Consolidated Grant Program
We are accepting applications for the 2009-2011 Consolidated Grant Program between now and December 12, 2008. The purpose of the grants included in this call for projects are to support passenger transportation services in rural areas and to support services for persons with special needs in Washington State. Funding will be awarded for projects carried out during the 2009-2011 grant cycle (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2011).
Please remember to read the application packet carefully. The packet contains important information regarding:
- Project and applicant eligibility
- How to properly complete and submit the forms
- Regional planning and ranking requirements
- Problems that may disqualify your application
If you don’t already have an application packet and the automated forms, you may obtain them by contacting Katie Charak at (360) 705-7922 or you may download the application packet and forms.
Complete applications must be received by WSDOT no later than 5:00 pm on December 12, 2008. Applications received after that time will not be accepted.
If you have questions or need assistance with preparing your application, please contact the following Public Transportation Division staff.
We will continue to post updates as additional information becomes available about the 2009-2011 Consolidated Grant Program, so visit our Web site often.
Travel Washington Dungeness Line Ribbon Cutting
WSDOT held a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 17 celebrating the Travel Washington Dungeness Line bus service from Port Angeles to Seattle.
Travel Washington Dungeness Line is the next step in establishing the Washington Intercity Rural Bus Program. Dungeness Line service will operate daily and offer two scheduled round trips between Port Angeles and SeaTac Airport. Learn more about the Intercity Rural Bus Program and see more photos from the ribbon cutting-ceremony. Read more...
Travel Washington Apple Line Ribbon Cutting to be held October 27 in Omak
The ribbon cutting for the Apple Line intercity bus service will be held in Omak on Tuesday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m. This launch marks the last of three intercity bus providers that were selected to participate in this pilot project with WSDOT, FTA and Greyhound. The intercity bus program provides passengers with timed connections between rural and urban centers. The Travel Washington Apple Line will provide service between Omak through Wenatchee to Ellensburg. The route will provide connections to Greyhound, Northwest Trailways and Amtrak. This intercity bus route will provide service to the rural communities of north-central Washington along the U.S. 97 highway corridor. Read more...
2008 Public Transportation Conference & Expo highlights
The 2008 Public Transportation Conference and Expo was held in Kennewick on September 7-10 and had about 350 attendees and 40 industry exhibitors at its 32nd annual gathering. The conference provided an interactive forum to collaborate, coordinate, and celebrate with those dedicated to providing or supporting public transportation in Washington State.
The conference was filled with many exciting activities including educational workshops, an industry expo with great vendors, the Governor's Commute Smart Awards, the Wall of Fame Awards and the kick-off for the Reinvent your Commute campaign. Please visit the WSDOT Flickr site to view a visual slideshow of the conference activities.
Talk about a Green Commute!
Wheel Options is going to reward one lucky commuter who uses a green commute option with $2,500 in cash! Why not you?
You can be eligible for that green cash prize - or one of many other rewarding prizes - if you use one of the following green commute options twice during the two week promotion:
- commute by bus or train,
- bike, walk, carpool or vanpool to work,
- telecommute or do not commute on a given day because of a compressed work week day off
It's easy change!
And it's a change that can pay off for you and for the environment. Don't wait a moment longer. Reinvent your commute and get ready to log your commutes and win green!
The 2008 FTA's Award for Outstanding Public Service goes to Island Transit
Island Transit picking up customers from the ferry. |
Island Transit will be honored with the 2008 Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) "Administrator's Award for Outstanding Public Service.” Senator Mary Margaret Haugen nominated Island Transit for this award in recognition of the exemplary customer service that Island Transit continually exhibits on a daily basis.
The award will be presented during the 18th annual National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation on October 20 in Omaha, Nebraska. Since 1984, the FTA has presented the outstanding public service award to rural transit systems recognizing their accomplishments.
Island Transit credits their award to their customers, and the other members of the Island Transit team who helped make this award possible. Congratulations to Island Transit on this honor!
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Training opportunities
Fitness for Duty Examinations
Wednesday, October 22
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Washington State Transportation Training Coalition
Fitness for duty examinations are serious matters and have health, safety, and labor relations ramifications. Fitness for duty evaluations are considered when an employee's health has noticeably changed (particularly after injury); a supervisor notes a significant change or deterioration in the employees performance or that the employee fails to maintain regular attendance, or for other reasons where a medical evaluation of the employee is necessary to determine if the employee can perform his/her job. It is recommended that human resource personnel, first line supervisors, managers, directors, department heads, and safety trainers should attend these evaluations. Learn more...
Learn more about the Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) scholarship information and other training opportunities. Contact Ronda Fullerton if you have additional questions about these training opportunities.
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Upcoming events
Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Board Meeting
Friday, October 24
10:00 a.m.
Meeting Information
The agenda will focus on providing general policy guidance for the CTR program. Read more...
Travel Washington Apple Line Ribbon Cutting
Tuesday, October 28
10:00 a.m.
Civic League Park
Omak, Washington
Travel Washington Apple Line will provide service to the rural communities of north-central Washington along the U.S. 97 highway corridor. Read more...
The WSDOT Public Transportation Division prepares this monthly report as a service to those interested in the activities of the division and its partners within the agency. For questions regarding newsletter articles, please contact us at transit@wsdot.wa.gov.
To subscribe to other e-mail updates from WSDOT, unsubscribe, or send us your feedback, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/NorthWest/EmailUpdates.htm or Public Transportation subscribe/unsubscribe
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