International Recognition for Region’s TravelWise Program

Waterloo Region - The Region of Waterloo’s TravelWise Program has won the Association of Commuter Transportation’s (ACT) Outstanding Transportation Management Association Award.

The award is presented each year to an organization that best uses its public or private partnerships to achieve local or regional transportation goals.

TravelWise is a workplace program offered by Grand River Transit (GRT) to employers in the Waterloo Region to encourage employees to choose sustainable transportation options such as carpooling, cycling and public transit over driving alone.

Participating employers pay an annual membership fee and their employees gain access to:

• GRT’s Corporate Transit Pass (15% less than a regular adult monthly pass);
• Private online staff carpool network (www.gotravelwise.ca);
• Emergency ride home reimbursement for sustainable commuters; and
• On-site service orientation and promotional events (e.g., bus bike rack demonstrations, Corporate Pass draws, etc.)

“GRT service improvements and the launch of ION light rail have been key factors in the success of the TravelWise program and recent growth in membership” says Kevan Marshall, Principal Planner with GRT. “Most participating workplaces say the Corporate Pass and nearby transit service are the top reasons they joined the program. Similarly, their employees say the Corporate Pass is their top motivator to try something different than driving alone.”

Beginning as a proof-of-concept pilot in 2011/2012, the TravelWise program has grown from 13 to 48 participating employers, representing over 30,000 employees.

ACT is the international organization of professionals who work to reduce traffic congestion, improve the lives of commuters and livability of communities by providing a mix of reliable and affordable transportation options.  

Companies interested in participating in the TravelWise program can learn more at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/TravelWise or email TravelWise@regionofwaterloo.ca

For more information, please contact:

Sandy Roberts, Manager, Marketing, Communication and Customer Service, Region of Waterloo, sroberts@regionofwaterloo.ca, 519-585-7597 ext. 7231