Vanpool Offer Extended!
Employees can save time and money in 2021
The new year is the perfect time to make a resolution to make changes in your habits. Getting healthier, promising to spend more time in nature or with your children, painting more and starting a journal are just a few promises we’ve made to ourselves over the years.
We wanted to share a secret with you. We hear that changing commute habits will far surpass the number of promises made to buy gym memberships as we head into 2021. Have you heard that?
If not, maybe you’re unaware that we’re commuting influencers, so let’s work together to get some new Vanpools started in Snohomish County. Community Transit is committed to helping people decide to vanpool. We are extending our offer for three months of FREE Vanpool service to new and returning Vanpool riders through May 31, 2021.
Help people ring in the new year with an easy, reliable and affordable commute plan that includes flexible options and a monthly rate that covers all vehicle costs, including gas, insurance and maintenance.
We suggest not waiting until May, as our Vanpool service is not a secret and will be in high demand as employees return to their offices.
Let us help you help your employees. For info, head here, or contact our CTR team.
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Your 2020 advanced training goal is still within reach
As the year comes to a wrap, there are only a few weeks left for you to meet your six advanced training hours requirement if you haven't already. To help you meet your goal, we've compiled a list of the most popular programs in 2020.
You can find additional training programs and webinars on the ETC Resources Page under Recorded CTR Programs.
To get advanced training credit for any of these programs, please complete the Advanced Training Hours Survey once you have watched one of the training programs below.
If you would like to know your training hour status, please contact the CTR Team.
Best of 2020 Trainings
(Each program is worth 1 hour of Advanced Training Credit)
Teleworking During COVID-19: Lessons Learned Over the Past Seven Months
WorkSmart's Elham Shirazi leads this webinar that covers experiences realized by employers and employees, touching on technology, resources, wellness and mental health. (Recorded November 2020)
Watch the Recording
No Budget? No Problem!
There are opportunities to maximize your program even if you don’t have a budget for Commute Trip Reduction. (Recorded October 2020)
Watch the Recording
Garnering Management Support
We cover the all-important question of how to get management to support your CTR Program. Why is it important? What are some tips and tricks? (Recorded April 2020) Watch the Recording
New Employees — Onboarding Best Practices and Info Share
This webinar covers tips for onboarding new hires and influencing behavior change from the start. When habits change as they have over the past several months, now is a good time to reconsider all employees as new employees in terms of transportation options. (Recorded June 2020)
Watch the Recording
Eno Center: How Human Decision-Making will affect the Post-COVID World
Dr. Ashley Whillans of Harvard Business School shares insights about behavioral principles and how they can help prevent a massive shift to drive-alone trips post-COVID. She also shares insights about how behavioral science can help people thrive while working from home.(Recorded June 2020)
Watch the Recording
Pandemic Behavior — How it affects Transportation Options
Learn how the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic have shifted behavior trends, how human psychology plays a role, and ways you can take advantage of shifting demand to meet your own worksite goals. (Recorded August 2020)
Watch the Recording
The 2021 Advanced Training Plan is Underway and We Want to Hear from You
The CTR Team is working on the 2021 Advanced Training plan and we need your feedback. Please complete this short survey by Monday, Dec. 14.
Free Telework Consulting is Here for Your Organization
We've learned over the past 10 months that some teams are flourishing with new telework policies, while other companies and their teams are struggling to feel comfortable with staff working from home.
Recent CTR Survey participants mentioned that some hurdles to productivity at home included workspaces and family distractions. Others are struggling with connectivity to work files and virtual machines. Throughout our analysis of the recent survey results, we found that most people now teleworking would like to stay teleworking if their organization approved of this new normal. Some participants mentioned that splitting up the work week between home and office or simply having more flexible schedules would help in a post-COVID world. Although that sounds simple, many of you know that it's challenging setting policy, while also making everyone feel comfortable in the new work scenarios.
That's where WorkSmart comes in. If you or your leadership team needs help creating better policies and programs around telework, flextime or compressed work weeks, there is a free service now available to you.
Elham Shirazi, WorkSmart’s lead consultant, has worked with hundreds of employers in our region since 2009, providing one-on-one consulting services to help implement, expand and improve telework and alternative work hour programs. WorkSmart’s team has developed resource materials, conducted training workshops, and evaluated the impacts of telework and flexible scheduling on employers, employees, and Commute Trip Reduction requirements.
WorkSmart’s free services include:
- Leading ETCs and leadership through every step of implementing a successful program
- Helping to overcome issues and concerns
- Developing custom presentations and marketing materials
- Consulting on technology needs and requirements
- Developing policies, procedures and agreements
- Training managers and employees
- Providing evaluation guidelines and strategies
- Helping meet Commute Trip Reduction goals
We recently hosted a webinar featuring WorkSmart and Elham as part of our Advanced Training Program. Teleworking During COVID-19: Lessons Learned Over the Past Seven Months covers experiences realized by employers and employees, touching on technology, resources, wellness and mental health. For more information, watch the recording, or visit WorkSmart's website.
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Regional Transit Agency Service Changes and Alerts
Mountlake Terrace Transit Center Open
The Mountlake Terrace Transit Center Freeway Station reopened after being closed for about five months due to Sound Transit's Link light rail construction.
Community Transit Routes 410, 413, 415, 435 and Sound Transit Routes 511, 512 and 513 are serving the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center Freeway Station according to current schedules.
New Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal Opens this Month
Whether you're traveling for work or for adventures, your travel will get easier to and from Whidbey Island later this month. Washington State Ferries recently announced the new ferry terminal will open Dec. 29.
There will be an 18-hour service suspension between 1 a.m. and the 6:10 p.m. Mukilteo departure on Dec. 29 in order to allow crews to move marine structures from the older terminal to the new terminal. During this period, travelers can still access Whidbey Island via the Deception Pass Bridge along Hwy. 20.
For Service Alerts, including bike route detours and ferry service, sign up for service alerts and closures:
- Community Transit: https://www.communitytransit.org/alert#Alerts
- Sound Transit: https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/service-alerts.
- WA State Ferries: https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspx
- King County Metro: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/alerts-updates/signup.aspx
For Employees: SnoCo Light Rail Workshop Part Two
 Snohomish County announced the second part of the Light Rail Communities Project's two-part Fall Workshop is open. In Part 2, Snohomish County wants to hear your thoughts on the topic of housing affordability.
Snohomish County, in partnership with numerous interested parties, is planning for the arrival of light rail in the mid-2030s through the preparation of a subarea plan. As the latest step in an extended public engagement process, the Light Rail Communities Project is seeking input. This second workshop is open through Dec. 20. You can find the workshop HERE.
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