SC_logo_tag 

 
Smart Commute 404-7 Newsletter
  
Viewing text-only?  See full layout in our Archives
IN THIS ISSUE
Spring Events
Carpoolers Make a Splash
New Committee Chair
We CAN Change Our World
QUICK LINKS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JOIN OUR LIST
Join Our Mailing List
SPONSORS

Town of Markham
Town of Richmond Hill

Regional Municipality of York
 
Metrolinx


IBM Logo sml 

iTRANS Consulting Inc.
 
Sheraton Parkway Hotel
 
Smart Commute 404-7 
Visit our sponsors via their logos or visit
- Advisory Committee -
 
Businesses:
 Dave Richardson - P Eng, MMM Group Limited - Chair 
Philip Gunn, GWL
Realty Advisors - Past Chair
Tyrone Gan - P Eng,
iTRANS Consulting Inc.
Carole-Anne Williams,
 Sheraton Parkway Hotel
Gary Travers,
IBM Canada
Teresa Di Felice, CAA
Mike Albani,
Philips Canada
Bernie Zeesman,
Scholastic Canada
Kevin Philips,
URS Canada - Consulting Engineers & Architects
Kent Shadwick,
York District Catholic School Board
 
Business Organizations:
Leslie Walker,
Chief  Executive Officer,
Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce
Richard Cunningham,
President & Chief Executive Officer, Markham Board of Trade
 
Municipal Councillors:
Gordon Landon, Markham/
Tony Wong, Markham
David Cohen, Richmond Hill/
Greg Beros, Richmond Hill
 
Municipal Liaisons:
Loy Cheah, York Region
Asher Mercer, York Region
Lorenzo Mele,
Town of Markham
Marcel Lanteigne,
Town of Richmond Hill
Melanie Shaw,
York Region Transit
Lindsay Rosien, York Region Community & Health Services  

SC 404-7 Staff:
Project Manager:
George Flint
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
Active Commuting May 2009
Greetings!
 
Bike 2 Work -
B2W08_1
 
This month we challenge you to get out of hibernation and renew your commitment to your health and your environment, by joining your friends and colleagues on Bike 2 Work Day, May 25.
 
 
Join the 2nd annual Smart Commute 404-7 Bike 2 Work Day Business Park Challenge 
 
See below for details on how to win a new bicycle (inspected and tuned-to-go for the active B2W commuter) on Bike 2 Work Day, Monday, May 25th.  
 
New Chair -
After 3 years of inaugurating and leading the Smart Commute 404-7 Advisory Committee, Phil Gunn, GWL Realty, relinquished the chair on April 3rd.  
 
We take this opportunity to thank Phil and congratulate him on his achievements.  Smart Commute 404-7 has become one of the most successful transportation management associations in the country, thanks to his leadership!  (See further details below)
 
Make a Splash Contest -  
Smart Commute 404-7 thanks and congratulates over 300 new carpoolers, who registered and participated in the contest. (GRAND PRIZE winner & details are below).
 
Hospitals -
We appreciate the recent commitment made by our area's hospitals and their human resources and facility managers, to include their employees in Smart Commute 404-7 programs.  Smart Commute initiatives are addressing staff wellness and parking demands for York Central and Markham Stouffville Hospitals and are being implemented to ensure the future of accessible health care in our ever-growing communities.  
- - -
Smart Commute 404-7 works with business 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!
 
Register your interest here in Smart Commute 404-7.   
Happy Commuting in Spring 2009! 

Forward to a Friend

Spring Events 
 
 animate3bicycles 
May 25
Business Park Challenge Bike to Work (B2W) Day
Bike_2_Work_08
85 riders enjoy free bicycle tune-ups and the first-annual Smart Commute 404-7 Bike 2 Work Day along Commerce Valley Drive and Beaver Creek Roads in Markham and Richmond Hill.
bear
It's time to get moving again!
Winter is Over - The Challenge is On! 
Monday May 25th, join the fun and win prizes.  Bring your bicycle early for a free tune-up
 
Time: 7:30 am to 9:30 am
Location: 100 Commerce Valley Drive, Thornhill
Registration: by email:
 
b2wd@smartcommute404-7.ca  
Contact: Paul Bradbury, 905-884-1961 ext. 24, or pbradbury@smartcommute404-7.ca
Photo Opportunity: Bring your camera - capture all the action!  
 
- Route is extended along Commerce Valley Drive and Beaver Creek Roads in Markham and Richmond Hill.
 
Bike2Work_bike  
Win a new CCM Vandal bicycle and many more prizes!  
FREE continental breakfast, FREE bike tune-ups, FREE York Region Police-escorted ride, YR Police bike safety demonstration.
 
Also on display: Workplace Wellness/Active Communities Program from York Region Community and Health Services Department.
 
This year, with support from the Towns of Markham & Richmond Hill, our sponsors (shown at left), the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Markham Board of Trade - The Challenge is on again!  Smart Commute 404-7 Chair, Dave Richardson of MMM Group Limited, and Tyrone Gan of iTRANS Consulting Inc. are again issuing a call to neighbouring businesses in Commerce Valley and Beaver Creek Industrial Parks, to get involved.   
 
Your company can "go for glory" too, by entering a team, or by becoming a sponsor.  Register early ... unless, of course, you're still in hibernation. 

June 3
Clean Air Day is observed on June 3rd, in Environment Week, June 1 - 5.  Activities will be posted on the Smart Commute 404-7 website, as they are confirmed.  Your firm's participation is welcome.  Email info@smartcommute404-7.ca with your interest.
CAC08-2
June 22 - 26
Clean Air Commute -
This week of observances and events promoting our environment, is an opportunity for our participation and awareness.  In Richmond Hill and Markham, 13 employers and 400 participants pqarticipated in June last year (see the SC 404-7
 What's New webpage) winning prizes and great fun for employees.  Register your staff's interest in participating today, at info@smartcommute404-7.ca.
 
EVENT WRAP UP
April 20 - 24 
The Smart Commute 404-7 display was booked for environmental awareness events throughout Earth Week, at IBM Markham, TD Commercial Banking, Richmond Hill, Markham Stouffville Hospital and AMEX Bank of Canada. 
Earth Day 09
More photos at www.smartcommute404-7.ca     
 
Earth Day 2009, at active SC 404-7 companies in our communities, was an opportunity to promote smart commuting alternatives. 
 
For your upcoming environmental events, register at info@smartcommute404-7.ca, to have the display at your premises.  
Make a Splash - Try Carpooling
 
Splash_crop-smllr
 
Our latest monthly dining certificate winner has been drawn:

Vivian_Ku

Congratulations to Vivian Ku, our March winner,
and Mark Doyon, our winner for April:      Mark Doyon
 
Grand Prize:  
3-day, 2-night stay for 4 at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls.   

Grand Prize Winner is Carole-Anne Williams! 

Smart Commute 404-7 staff joined Carole-Anne for photos:
Splash_Carole-Anne2
From left: Wincy Tsang & Basil Marcello, Carole-Anne Williams & Paul Bradbury. 

Below: Carole-Anne Williams is congratulated by SC 404-7 Commuter Options Advisor Paul Bradbury, at Sheraton Parkway Hotel's Crave Restaurant, a Splash sponsor during the contest campaign.
Splash_Carole-Anne1
 
All winners are listed on our Make a Splash webpage: www.makeasplashcontest.ca
 
The contest encouraged commuters to register for a carpool ride-match on carpoolzone.ca, our GTA-wide ride matching website.  See the above webpage or the Smart Commute 404-7 website to link to the Smart Commute 404-7 Carpool Zone.  Carpoolers who registered on Carpoolzone.ca could win $100 monthly dining certificates from great restaurants like these: 
 
  - 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     
 
 
- Winners not required to be participating in a carpool at the time of the draw -
 
 
Let's keep up the pace!  Register for a carpool now and join 15,000+ GTA carpoolers who have used Carpool Zone to make a real difference in their lives!
New Committee Chair
 
Phil Dunn Steps Down - Dave Richardson Steps In 
 PhilGunnDaveRichardson
 
SC 404-7 outgoing Chair, Phil Gunn, GWL Realty (left), accepts a commemorative plaque from new Chair, Dave Richardson, MMM Group.
 
SC 404-7 Advisory Committee Chair, Phil Gunn, Director of GWL Realty Advisors, recently stepped down, after three years of service.  His successor is Dave Richardson, MMM Group's Senior Project Manager and Associate Partner in the Transportation Planning Department.   Dave and Phil were involved in the founding of Smart Commute 404-7. 
  
MMM Group was recently named Smart Commute 404-7 Company of the Year for 2008, at the Smart Commute GTHA Annual Awards in November.
 
Incoming Chair, Dave Richardson, has promised continuity and a renewed effort to make the general public aware of Smart Commute 404-7 successes, such as its national award in 2006 for Sustainable Urban Transportation initiatives. 
We CAN Change Our World
Character Award Nomination
CharacterAward
Smart Commute 404-7 Commuter Options Advisor Paul Bradbury with wife Audrey and Mayor David Barrow display the commemorative plaque 
 
Smart Commute 404-7 was nominated for the York Region Character Community award presented annually to an individual or organization that demonstrates character in making effective changes in our world.  The Change Our World award was presented April 28th, at the new Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, to The Five with Drive Foundation.
 
Representing Smart Commute 404-7 was Commuter Options Advisor Paul Bradbury, who accepted the commemorative plaque.
 
Smart Commute 404-7, on behalf of its sponsors, Advisory Committee, the Markham Board of Trade and Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce, congratulates all winners and nominees at the 3rd annual awards gala.  
 
The Character Community Foundation recognizes and strengthens positive character attributes in York Region's individuals and organizations.  
Save 
  Our 
    Air
  
 
 
Here's a brief dream sequence ...
Your executors and beneficiaries salute your smarts, when they finally gather around for the reading of your will (many years from now, of course).  That's because you finally took the plunge ...  before you "passed" (as they put it, these days) ... and began commuting in transit and occasionally, a carpool.  Not only has everyone in your family benefited from breathing less of your vehicle emissions, but you saved SO much money (about $4000 to $6000 annually) that they now have your substantial inheritance to enjoy.  
 
Of course, they still grieve over your "passing" but, they do it on a golf course or a cruise ship. 
 
Actually, your commuting stress levels became so low, you lived to be 129 and outlasted most of your beneficiaries.
 
A fanciful fairy tale? 
 
So was the Blue & Green Box campaign.
Before You Go ... View our Blog Page 
 
Have you had a commuter experience you'd like to share?  Email it to us for the "Blog" page and get it "published".  Tell your friends to 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
- 30 active companies & organizations
- 60 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
 
By the way ...
Our name is derived from Highways 404 ... and 7!  They are of mayor concern, when regarding traffic flow in Richmond Hill and Markham.  With your help, we can do our part to make sure your commute on and around Hwy's 404 and 7 is a pleasant one!
 
Best wishes for Spring 2009!
 
George Flint, Basil Marcello, Wincy Tsang, Lucy Chen, Paul Bradbury - Your Smart Commute 404-7 Team. 
 
HAVE A SAFE & SMART COMMUTE ... Don't forget to join us May 25th for BIKE 2 WORK DAY 2009!