Community Transit programs removed 370K drive-alone trips in 2016
Choice Connections and Curb the Congestion target large employers and most-congested corridors, and recognize individuals who use transportation options.
Using incentives and individualized trip-planning assistance, Community Transit’s Choice Connections and Curb the Congestion programs removed 373,891 drive-alone trips from busy Snohomish County roads, and prevented 6.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide in the first six months of 2016.
The two innovative transportation demand management (TDM) programs are offered in addition to Community Transit’s bus, vanpool and paratransit service to help reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and encourage healthy travel options.
Choice Connections is a program that helps large businesses in Snohomish County and the City of Bothell motivate employees to reduce their drive-alone trips to work, and help these worksites support their Washington State Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) goals.
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Curb the Congestion promotes smart transportation options to residents and employees to help reduce drive-alone trips on six of Snohomish County’s most congested corridors.
Each quarter, Community Transit recognizes standout participants who are dedicated to smart transportation choices. The Choice Connections award winners for the 2nd Quarter of 2016 include:
Curb the Congestion Champion of the Quarter Kevin Crader of Lake Stevens has been riding the bus and vanpooling for 16 years. By leaving his car at home he’s able to make positive contributions to his community by reducing traffic congestion and his carbon footprint.
Crader is an advocate for transportation options, and enjoys sharing his positive experiences with coworkers at CH2M Hill in Bellevue. Crader’s commute style saves him time on the road, gas money and wear and tear on his vehicle. By riding the bus and vanpooling, he has more time to focus on his family and personal life, and says he is happier and less stressed. During 2016 he has saved more than 21,000 pounds of CO2 pollution from entering the air we breathe. For these efforts, he has been selected as the Curb the Congestion Champion of the 2nd Quarter 2016.
Smart Commuter of the Quarter Kerry Follis of Shoreline is a litigation paralegal at Premera Blue Cross in Mountlake Terrace. For almost 40 years she has been dedicated to reducing air pollution and gas consumption by walking and riding public transportation, not only for her commute but for her travels across the globe as well. She loves to share her travel experiences and expertise to help encourage others to consider the many options to driving alone.
Follis served as a volunteer citizen representative in her community to advocate for and encourage transit planning. During the past year she’s eliminated 353 drive-alone trips. She is has committed to leaving her car at home and walking and riding the bus to work every day. She has been chosen as the Smart Commuter of the 2nd Quarter 2016.
The Choice Connections program recognizes individuals and worksites in Snohomish County and the City of Bothell that support state (CTR) goals. Quarterly and annual award winners are selected by a Peer Advisory Board made up of representatives from CTR-affected worksites in Snohomish County and Bothell. They go above and beyond to use smart transportation alternatives to driving alone, and encourage co-workers to do so.
To learn more about the Choice Connections and Curb the Congestion programs and to sign up to start receiving rewards for your smart transportation choices, visit www.communitytransit.org/ChoiceConnections.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
