 Greetings!
Welcome to the North Shore TMA's May newsletter! I don't know about you, but I am relieved to see green grass, blooming flowers and (finally!) snow-free streets perfect for walking and biking. Speaking of which, I hope you're ready for Bike Week and the MassCommute Bike Challenge, both of which begin in a matter of days. It is wonderful to be able to welcome a new member this month. Eastern Bank has joined the North Shore TMA. I hope Eastern Bank and all our members find this regular newsletter to contain useful information about happenings within the TMA service area, TMA programs and services, and transportation infrastructure improvements. We look forward to continuing our services to assist you with any questions, comments, or concerns related to your commute. We're here to help. Cheers! Andrea Leary, Executive Director North Shore TMA |
MBTA Launches
Bike Pilot for North Shore Commuters
Just in time for Bay State Bike Week and the 19th Annual MassCommute Bicycle Challenge, on May 13, the MBTA will launch a new bike pilot program that expands its bike policy by allowing bikes on the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line during peak commute periods between certain stations.
The North Shore Transportation Management Association has been working with the MBTA for the last several months to develop a pilot program to allow bikes onto MBTA commuter rail trains between outer core stations on the Newburyport/Rockport line during the morning and evening peak commute periods.
The pilot program will run on the Newburyport/Rockport line Monday, May 13 through Friday, Oct. 25. The pilot expands the time when bikes will be allowed on trains between the stations noted below as follows.
Between Rockport, Gloucester, West Gloucester, Manchester, Beverly Farms, Prides Crossing, and Montserrat stations -
AM (from Gloucester): 5:05 a.m., 6:05 a.m., 6:44 a.m., and 7:25 a.m.
PM (from Montserrat): 4:41 p.m., 5:33 p.m., 6:06 p.m., and 6:55 p.m.
Between Newburyport, Rowley, Ipswich, Hamilton/Wenham, & North Beverly stations -
AM (from Newburyport): 5:22 a.m., 5:50 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7 a.m. and 7:55
PM (from North Beverly): 5:02 p.m., 5:55 p.m., 6:22 p.m. and 7:25 p.m.
Bike commuters should board the train at mini high platforms and enter one of the last two coaches (nearest the engine) and place their bike in the designated area indicated by the conductor.
Axcelis Environmental Health & Safety Manager Steve Roberge who is also a member of the North Shore TMA Board of directors, lauds the willingness of the MBTA to advance the pilot project, noting, "As a bike/train commuter from Cambridge to Beverly, the current policy allows me to take advantage of the commuter rail for the majority of my commute by biking to North Station in Boston, riding the commuter rail, then biking approximately 3 miles from Beverly Depot to Axcelis. The new pilot program will allow our employees from the North Shore to take similar advantage of this bike/train commute mode, allowing them to reduce their car use, lighten their carbon footprint, and improve their fitness level by including biking for part of their commute."
|
|
Eastern Bank Joins North Shore TMA
The North Shore TMA family has grown!
Executive Director Andrea Leary is happy to welcome Eastern Bank as the newest member of the North Shore Transportation Management Association (TMA). Eastern Bank, a full-service commercial bank based in Boston, will roll out TMA programs to its Operations Center in Lynn and its branches throughout the TMA service area.
"The decision to become a member of the North Shore TMA is indicative of the spirit of dedication and concern for the community that always has been a hallmark of how Eastern Bank does business," Leary said.
Leaders at Eastern Bank acknowledge that membership in the North Shore TMA is a way to assist employees in leading healthier, more environmentally conscious lives while improving the "livability factor" of the region.
"Eastern Bank is concerned about the environment," said Thomas Dunn, Senior Vice President. "We have made a commitment to sustainable business practices that will lighten our carbon footprint and we promote ways for our employees to do the same. We have a dedicated Green Team that develops and promotes sustainability programs. Joining the North Shore TMA is the next logical step for us and a great tool to support the efforts of our Green Team."
Already, Eastern Bank at 195 Market St. in Lynn, has jumped into the activities for Bike to Work Week and the MassCommute Bicycle Challenge, serving as a check-in site for the annual event, in which participating companies encourage their employees to ride a bike to work or when traveling around town for errands and other short trips. For more about the MassCommute Bicycle Challenge, click HERE.
|
 | | North Shore TMA Executive Director Andrea Leary, left and Steve Roberge from Axcelis Technologies, which received a Leadership Award in Commuter Options - Bicycle, at the ECO Awards. Roberge rode his bike to the awards from his home in Cambridge. |
North Shore TMA Members Honored at ECO Awards
The third annual ECO Awards (Excellence in Commuter Options) were held on March 28,
2013 in the EMC Club above home plate at
Fenway Park.
Co-sponsored by MassCommute, the Massachusetts TMA Council; the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; and MassRIDES, the statewide travel options program, the ECO Awards recognize Massachusetts employers who have demonstrated superior efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing drive-alone trips.
Several North Shore TMA members were among the more than 130 businesses recognized for their outstanding commuter benefits provided to employees. Axcelis Technologies, the City of Salem, and Middle Oak received Leadership Awards; while Cell Signaling Technologies and Cummings Properties received an award at the highest level of achievement - Pinnacle.
For the complete list of winners, click HERE.
The North Shore TMA salutes these outstanding members for their exceptional commitment to providing and promoting commuting options to their employees. Bay State businesses that encourage employees to travel to work by ride sharing (transit, carpools or vanpools), or by bicycling, walking or teleworking are eligible for ECO Awards.
|
 It's Here! Bike Week Begins May 11
Saturday, May 11, kicks off The MassCommute Bicycle Challenge (MCBC), a nine-day friendly competition measuring the miles logged by employees of Massachusetts businesses and institutions and residents on behalf of their municipality who choose to bike to work or to other activities. The MCBC coincides with Bay State Bike Week, which also begins on May 11.
The MCBC, now in its 19th year, is the signature event of Bay State Bike Week and the focus of the North Shore TMA's annual Bike to Work events. Each year the TMA hosts check-in events during Bay State Bike Week where the staff meet employees who take up the challenge to travel by bike for all or part of their commute to work - chatting with them about their commute, providing a light breakfast, and distributing the "legendary" annual Bike to Work T-shirts.
TMA Executive Director Andrea Leary suggests, "Even if you can't bike to work, why not swap a bike ride for a car trip during Bike Week and see what you're missing. All trips that you might normally take by car, but choose to take by bike during Bay State Bike Week, count and help your company boost its totals." Check-in event dates and locations can be found at the online calendar on the North Shore TMA website.
This year the MCBC Bike Bash will be held at Harvard University's Queen's Head Pub on June 4. The Bike Bash, a thank you party for all participants, is a great opportunity to commemorate your company's accomplishments (and your own as well!). MCBC Awards and prizes will be distributed during the bash. The Bike Bash is open to all North Shore TMA member employees who participate in the MassCommute Bicycle Challenge - Join us!
|
|
|
|
|
 | |
NuRide is a state-of-the-art, online ride matching and alternative commute tracking system. It is the nation's largest rewards program for commuters who rideshare, track alternative commutes, while earning NuRide points to redeem for great prizes.Sign-up for NuRide and get 1,000 NuRide points. Record your trips and redeem your points for rewards!
|
|
|
