| JOIN OUR LIST |
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| SPONSORS |
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Visit our sponsors via their logos or visit
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Businesses:
Philip Gunn,
GWL Realty Advisors - Chair
Carole-Anne Williams,
Sheraton Parkway Hotel
Dave Richardson - P Eng,
MMM Group Limited
Glenn Crosby,
DTZ Barnicke Limited
Tyrone Gan - P Eng,
iTRANS Consulting Inc.
Fay Lyons,
CAA
Mike Albani,
Philips Canada
Kent Shadwick,
York Catholic District School Board
Business Organizations:
Richard Cunningham,
President & Chief Executive Officer, Markham Board of Trade
Leslie Walker,
Chief Executive Officer,
Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce
Municipal Councillors:
Gordon Landon, Markham/
Tony Wong, Markham
David Cohen, Richmond Hill/
Godwin Chan, Richmond Hill/
Greg Beros, Richmond Hill
Support Staff
Markham Board of Trade
Basil Marcello,
Assistant Manager
Wincy Tsang,
Commuter Options Advisor
Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce
Paul Bradbury,
Commuter Options Advisor
Lucy Chen,
Administrative Assistant
Smart Commute 404-7
George Flint, Project Manager | |
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| Let's Make 2009 Less ... Exhausting |
February 2009 |
| Greetings!
Smart Commute 404-7 has become one of the most successful transportation management associations in the Greater Toronto Area ... see: National Award.
So where do we go in 2009?
Saving money in these difficult times is important to most of us.
SMART COMMUTING SAVES YOU BIG $$$! If your employees are each paying $12,000.00 annually to keep their vehicles, they'll each save $10,740.00 by buying a monthly bus pass instead - ($105 x 12 = $1,260.00). PLUS ... it's tax deductible.
Actually, It's Easy Being Green!
Business bottom lines look happier too. Business leaders are now increasing staff productivity by offering smart commute options to employees. Smart commuting helps companies reduce parking demand, reduce traffic, save space for visitors, lower facility costs and lower parking maintenance! More employees arrive on time - less employees take sick day/loss time due to commuting related sickness. Your company's corporate image gets a polished look too, showing your social responsibility and awareness of staff issues. Inevitably, recognition and even awards follow!
It's already working! Check our list of Smart Commute 404-7 results below, at the bottom of this newsletter. Meanwhile ...
Carpoolers - Enter our Make a Splash Contest. Win $100 dining certificates - take a client to lunch or make a dining experience special. Or you can win the GRAND PRIZE! See details below.
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Smart Commute 404-7 works with business and staff leaders like you to ...
- ease traffic flow around your company's premises,
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions in your environment,
- lower the costs of your daily commute and ...
- reduce commuter STRESS! Start today - Register your company's interest in smart commuting and the Smart Commute 404-7 services.
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| Commuting Workshops |
 Are You Fuel-Efficient?
Book a Smart Driver Workshop for free!
To begin a new year of smart commuting, active partner companies of Smart Commute 404-7 are invited to book a Smart Driver Workshop at your workplace. These workshops are designed to inform and create interest in smart commuting, through the discussion of smart driving principles.
The main messages of the program are to drive in fuel efficient ways, drive a fuel efficient car, and drive less by using smart commuting alternatives. Workshops are presented in a friendly, interactive, driver-to-driver format and offer motorists helpful information about alternative ways of commuting, how to reduce fuel costs and cut down emissions while driving.
There is no fee; the format is lunch n' learn; duration approximately 1 hour, with extra time for prize draws, and Q & A (questions and answers) as needed.
Space and number of workshops limited - book workshop soon as possible - first series to be conducted prior to March 31, 2009.
For more information, or to book a workshop, email your perferred date(s) to info@smartcommute404-7.ca.
Transportation Sector Outreach
Promote Your Transportation Presence
The Smart Commute 404-7 Transportation Workshop, again this year in September, is an excellent way to access the transportation industry. Your company display is welcome, but space is limited, so register your interest early. The 2007 Transportation Fair, held at the Buttonville Airport, welcomed over 5,000 visitors!
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| Spring Events |
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The Smart Commute 404-7 display is booked for environmental awareness events throughout the year. You can add the display to your event too, on a first come - first serve basis.
IBM staff & Wincy Tsang (right) at the Smart Commute 404-7 display during Earth Day
April 22
Earth Day continues to generate media interest, each year in April. Again, this year, Smart Commute 404-7 will be on display, Wednesday, April 22nd at active SC 404-7 companies in our communities, promoting smart commuting alternatives that help our environment. Register your interest to have the display at your premises at info@smartcommute404-7.ca... first come - first serve.
May 25
The Smart Commute 404-7 Business Park Challenge, in Richmond Hill and Markham, is a Smart Commute 404-7 project observing Bike 2 Work Day that, last year, enjoyed the participation of 85 cyclists and 18 companies from a local business park and surrounding area. Bicycle tune-ups were offered without charge and prizes included t-shirts and bicycle accessories. This year, an even greater participation is anticipated on a new and more challenging "AA" route (and the regular "A" route for those less adventurous) on Monday, May 25th, beginning a celebration of Bike Month, May 25 to June 21. More details soon!
June 3
Clean Air Day will be observed June 3rd, in Environment Week, June 1 - 5. Activities will be posted on the Smart Commute 404-7 website, as soon as they are confirmed. Your firm's participation is welcome - in fact, SC 404-7 will be pleased to promote your activities in aid of the environment, that week, or any time throughout the year. Just email info@smartcommute404-7.ca with your details.
Canoe Adventures - Raleigh Bicycles - Dell Laptops - Cruises!
Clean Air Commute, a national week of observances and events promoting our environment, is an opportunity for our participation and awareness ... and Great Prizes! In Richmond Hill and Markham, 13 employers and 400 participants competed for substantial prizes in June, last year, like those shown above (see the SC 404-7 What's New webpage). Register your staff's interest in participating today, at info@smartcommute404-7.ca.
LOOKING AHEAD ...
September 22
Car Free Day features prize draws for participants who register for alternative commuting, in order to leave their vehicles at home. Carpool Week follows, to further promote the concept of saving commuting costs as well as the environment.
This Fall, join in the activities, or plan your own! Don't forget Smart Commute 404-7 can promote your company's environmental awareness event ... you may even win corporate recognition and prizes too! |
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Pedestrian & Cycling Master Plans |
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Cyclists can enjoy the many benefits of "active" commuting ... |
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 WILL CYCLING IN THE FUTURE BE FRIENDLY FOR YOU?
A Cycle Path Master Plan is being developed through a comprehensive environmental planning process.
Richmond Hill & Smart Commute 404-7 invite public input for this plan. See the Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan Study now, online. Visit the link - complete the survey - for the future of your "active" commute.
Keep us in touch - email info@smartcommute404-7.ca with your comments on the Plan. |
| New Sponsor |
 IBM - Markham IBM Markham has joined Smart Commute 404-7 corporate sponsors that now include MMM Group Limited, iTRANS Consulting Inc. & Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel, Suites & Conference Centre. Funding partners include the Regional Municipality of York, The Town of Richmond Hill, The Town of Markham, and Metrolinx - Regional Transportation Authority.
IBM Markham was Smart Commute 404-7's Employer of the Year in 2007 and is one of the world's most innovative leaders in the promotion of commuter alternatives and "green solutions" for the environment. |
| Make a Splash - Try Carpooling |
Four Winners! (... and more soon)
Our fourth monthly dining certificate winner has been drawn. Winners are listed on our Make A Splash webpage: www.makeasplashcontest.ca. The contest is designed to encourage commuters to register for a carpool ride-match on carpoolzone.ca, our GTA-wide ride matching website (see the contest page for a link to the SC 404-7 Carpool Zone). Carpoolers who register on Carpoolzone.ca can win $100 monthly dining certificates from these great restaurants:
- Alice Fazooli's Italian Grill
- Allusion Restaurant
- Brix Napa Valley Grille & Wine Bar
- Boston Pizza
- Crave Restaurant - Sheraton Parkway Hotel
- Jack Astor's Bar & Grill
- Moxie's Classic Grill
- Wasabi All-You-Can-Eat Japanese Feast
3-day, 2-night stay for 4 at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls.
- Winners are not required to be participating in a carpool at the time of the draw -
Register for a carpool now and join the fun! |
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Smart Commute Website |
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Improved Layout -
The Smart Commute 404-7 Website is being reconfigured -
Web-based information is moving to a new website format to address continuity, ease of administration and navigation.
We invite your comments (especially if you are a web designer!) - email info@smartcommute404-7.ca |
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At any given time, Smart Commute 404-7 has from 3 to 5 commuter surveys underway, as more of our business community's employees join the trend toward easing traffic, commuter stress - and our demands upon our environment. Employees participating in our surveys this year include those of our major hospitals and school boards.
Smart Commute 404-7 Richmond Hill administrator, Lucy Chen, has returned, following maternity leave, as she and her family welcomed Justine Charlize, in 2008. The SC 404-7 Team welcomes Lucy's return, while expressing sincere thanks to Monica Costello for her excellent assistance during Lucy's parental leave. |
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Before You Go ... View our Blog Page
A blog (a contraction of the term "Web log") is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events.
Have you had a commuter experience you'd like to share? Email it to us for the "Blog" page and get it "out there". Tell your friends to visit us and read your story on our Blog Page. For news and photos on our activities, visit our What's New website page.
SMART COMMUTE 404-7 RESULTS UPDATE
SOV - single occupant vehicles
VKT - vehicle kilometres travelled
GHG - green house gases
GTA - Greater Toronto Area
- 6,800 SOVs reduced by Carpool Zone
- Over 1/2 million VKTs reduced
- Over 156 tonnes GHG reduced
- 28 active companies & organizations
- 57 engaged companies & organizations
- 200 new registered Carpool Zone users in 2008
- Over 5,500 registered users GTA-wide (15,000 since inception)
Thank you again for checking up on our progress!
Contact us with questions or suggestions at info@smartcommute404-7.ca. We look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes for the New Year!
George Flint, Basil Marcello, Wincy Tsang, Lucy Chen, Paul Bradbury - Your Smart Commute 404-7 Team.
HAVE A SAFE & SMART COMMUTE ... Let's be careful out there! |
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