The Sustainable Alberta Association, established in 1998, is a non-profit, Re-Invent the Wheel non-government organization COMMUTER STORIES with a strong volunteer component. Our main focus is to improve the personal, social, and env ironmental health of Albertans by encouraging citizens to leave their cars at home and commute by bus, train, carpool, bicycle, foot and telecommunicate. E CONT NTS 2 Introduction Stories Matrix 3 Matrix Solutions Inc. Solutions Inc. E NVIRONMENT & ENGINEERIN G Paul Vink – Health 5 Alberta Health Services Joan Spaven – Encouragement 7 TELUS Janice Johnson – Commitment 9 Tundra Engineering Associates Ltd. Ron Bing – Leadership 11 The City of Calgary Tina Ritsco & Ron Schafer – Cooperation 13 SAHURI + Partners Architecture Inc. William Thompson – Flexibility 15 Devon Canada Doug Campbell & David Germscheid – Team Spirit 17 Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, The Fairmont Palliser Ryan Saretzky – Corporate Culture 19 Suncor Energy Inc. Lauren Rooney – Cost Savings 21 University of Calgary Jo Wright – Stewardship 23 Resources 25 Contributors DINIEF TION: Trip Reduction Program A workplace-based commuter that can be part of a Trip program that uses various Reduction Program (TRP). measures to reduce drive- =A TRP is like a pizza; any alone commuter trips. On-line combinations of ingredients carpool matching, payroll can be used to make a great deductions on transit passes, meal. The key to a successful active transportation programs commuter trip reduction and infrastructure (i.e., bike program is management racks, lockers, showers), support for whatever telecommuting program incentives are feasible for and policy, Carpool parking, the workplace. lotteries for transit tickets, Green Commuter newsletters, competitions and events are only some of the components 1 Introduction The Sustainable Alberta Association (SAA), established in 1998, is a non-profit, non- government organization with a strong volunteer component. Our main focus is to improve the personal, social, and environmental health of Albertans by encouraging citizens to leave their cars at home and commute by bus, train, carpool, bicycle, foot and telecommunicate. About this Book Through the implementation of various In 2007 SAA launched a workplace Trip programs, structures, rewards and incentives, Reduction Program with support from these workplaces have made a positive Environment Canada’s EcoAction difference for their organization and Community Funding Program to involve employees. Such measures make it more decision-makers in encouraging and feasible for employees to ride or drive with supporting healthy commuter choices someone else, take the bus, ride a bike, walk, for their employees. We have drawn upon telework, or compress their workweeks. our list of successful Commuter Challenge The Re-Inventors participants to share with you ten stories As you read the real-life stories of of exemplary Calgary workplaces. Through employees depicted within these pages, various measures these workplaces have you will learn how effective employee proven their commitment to a healthier, programs make a difference. The employees more sustainable work environment. in this publication all benefit in different Our hope is that other corporate decision- ways from the measures that their makers will be inspired to follow their lead. companies are taking to motivate and The Workplace support sustainable commuting choices. Calgary workplaces are taking long strides What is your workplace doing to encourage to encourage their employees to reduce its employees to leave their cars at home? their drive alone commutes. This is reflected How has this improved your life? SAA is in the city’s consistently strong standing always interested to inspire, reward and in the national Commuter Challenge. SAA motivate Albertans with success stories! is proud to showcase some of these work- places for their exceptional commitment to supporting trip reduction measures. 2 PA UL VINK Matrix Solutions Commuting sustainably is the road Through the environment committee of choice for engineer Paul Vink with at Matrix, Paul feels well supported in Matrix Matrix Solutions. There was a time when his commuting choices, which he sees Solutions Inc. E NVIRONMENT Paul walked 53 minutes a day to work, as an added benefit to working at Matrix. & ENGINEERIN G which was a daily two hour commute. With Matrix Solutions, environmental However, watching the cyclists fly past initiatives are second nature. Employees him on Calgary’s pathways resulted in are accustomed to the daily routine a switch to a bike commuting. A highlight that includes recycling, composting or com- of his ride is going through Edworthy muting sustainably, all of which are strongly Park, where it is not unusual to have an supported by management. owl swoop by, or come across playful Innovative steps to encourage sustainability coyote pups. Almost a year-round cycling among employees are the norm. Weekly commuter, Paul draws the line at - 20C! team meetings feature a “Green Minute” which includes a brief discussion of one environmental topic each week. “Matrix management supports the committee’s green recommendations because they see value both in the initiatives, as well as in supporting 3 Matrix employees.” OMANC P Y HIGHLIGHTS MatrixName: Solutions Industry: Environment & Engineering Size: 200 employees HEALTH Incentives: - Secure bicycle shed - Shower - Monthly transit draws - Semi-annual subsidy for bike tune-up Work Structures: - Flex hours - Teleworking Programs: - Commuter Challenge - Environmental committee which supports sustainable commuting Promotions: - Commuter Challenge week EL MP OYEE HIGHLIGHTS PaulName: Vink Age: 45 Occupation: Environmental Technologist Mode of Transportation: Cycle Distance from work: 7 km Like best about commute: “Being in the great outdoors!” Motivation: Health benefits and reduced emissions Message to others: “Just try alternate means of commuting ... for one week.” 4 OMANC P Y HIGHLIGHTS EL MP OYEE HIGHLIGHTS Name: Alberta Health Services, Name: Joan Spaven Calgary Health Region I Age: 64 Industry: Healthcare Occupation: Pharmacist Size: 10,000 employees Mode of Transportation: Incentives: Carpool - Car/vanpool matching Distance from work: 4 km and parking spots Like best about commute: - Emergency ride home “The social interaction with - Complimentary transit passes fellow carpoolers and a short (4/year) door-to-door ride.” - Inter-hospital shuttle system, Motivation: Reduce emissions, secured bike cages and reduce cost of parking, social bike racks interaction and avoid traffic Work structures: issues. - Staggered work shifts Message to others: - Telecommuting “Carpooling and living closer Programs: to work can improve your - Ride Share Week quality of life and reduce the - Bike to Work and economic and environmental Commuter Challenge impact.” - Sustainable information as part of new staff orientation Promotions: - Calgary Transit Riders Guides - Internal Transportation Demand Management web page - Promotion of CTS access to sites through Earth Day ENCOURAGEMENT J OAN SPAVEN Alberta Health Services Joan Spaven, a pharmacist at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, has been part of a five member carpool for seven years. Spaven gets to work relaxed and energized for the day. “Our ride to work together gives us an opportunity to laugh, relax, vent and conduct mini-staff meetings “We were ahead of Al Gore but we didn’t where we solve work-related problems. get nominated for the noble prize!” Our relationships carry over into our work day.” Carpooling provides flexibility for The Calgary Health Service has recognized commuters; one member of Joan’s carpool a clear business case in creating permanent can’t drive due to a visual impairment, reductions in the parking requirements, however her carpool offers a safe, reliable especially when each parking space is commute. When traffic reports state that valued from $50,000 - $80,000. “Parking there is a traffic delay, Joan’s group feel isn’t our core business and we don’t want sorry for the lonely drivers while they to be using valuable land or funds to enjoy each other’s company! build parkades when we could use this money for more facilities and equipment.” Joan’s carpool colleagues work in the same said Franco Benacchio (Director, CHR department. The flexibility in varied hours Ancillary Services).There are currently over and shifts has resulted in their manager 13,000 parking spots in the region - rivaling happily coordinating work schedules the City of Calgary parking authority. to accommodate their carpooling. (It is recognized that performance is better Transportation choices are promoted to among workers who are given at least five all new Calgary Health Services employees minutes to socialize before starting their so that they can establish alternative work day.) commuter habits before they get into the single occupancy vehicle habit. One of Banacchio’s successes at the Foothills Medical Centre was establishing the Preferred Carpool Parking program, which now boasts 36 spots. 6 JANICJ E OHNSON TELUS Janice Johnson’s job consists of keeping TELUS in Calgary provides team her team members happy by resolving members with free locker rentals, conflicts and providing solutions in a underground bike parking, and on-site team environment. After a day of helping showers. TELUS, a National Sponsor of reduce the stress of her team, she uses the Commuter Challenge in 2008, is also her commute home to unwind. “I feel so a leader in teleworking,