Community Transit

The 11th Annual Visionary Awards celebrate Snohomish County's and Bothell's commuting champions while promoting greater use of commute alternatives and increasing management support of employer transportation programs.

Congratulations to the 2007 Visionary Awards winners honored on February 21, 2008.

Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC)
of the Year - KC McNeil

Bob Drewel, Executive Director Puget Sound Regional Council with KC McNeil

KC McNeil, the ETC at Romac in Bothell, has been their ETC for many years and has always done a great job; mentoring other ETCs and giving advice when asked. KC always makes sure his employees know about the program and have what they need. And in 2007, KC bumped it up a notch. KC launched a 'Bike the Summer' challenge with a fellow ETC. He helped form teams and helped his employees find bicycle commuting routes.

KC discussed with the management team the need to push more ridematching and shared his concerns that high gas prices are normalized and are not a motivation for employees to get out of an SOV.

Employer of the Year - Amgen

Bob Drewel, Executive Director Puget Sound Regional Council with Amgen's ETC, Jan Law

Amgen has an incentive program that pays 100% subsidy for transit, vanpool, and ferry. Carpool participants receive a $25/month incentive for sharing a ride and $50/month for being dropped off on site at least 4 days per week. Cyclists & walkers receive a $50 monthly incentive for using the alternative 3 days per week.

They also have great management support. Their CEO provides budget and staff time to ensure their commuter program is the best it can be. Our Employer of the Year is committed to helping reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

SMART Commuter of the Year - Steve Moody

Joyce Eleanor, CEO of Community Transit with Steve Moody

Our SMART Commuter of the Year could shorten his commute by driving his car but he chooses to use not one, not two, not three, but four commute options to make his 100 mile round trip commute. Steve Moody of Philips Medical Systems in Bothell leaves his home in Silverdale in a carpool with his wife - that's one, then walks on the ferry to Seattle - that's two, then catches two buses from Seattle to Bothell - that's three, and then walks the last 15 minutes to work - that's four! He works a full day then commutes the same way home. Our nickname for Steve – Commuterman! And the money he saves from not driving – that's SMART.

SMART Commuter of the Year (Non-CTR) - Coco Counts

Joyce Eleanor, CEO of Community Transit with Coco Counts

Our SMART Commuter of the Year from a non-CTR site is Coco Counts. Coco has been a bus rider her entire life. She remembers when Community Transit first started, with just a few buses and routes. Coco is one of Community Transit's best ambassadors. When her friends express hesitation about using the bus, she tells them how easy it is and shows them how to use the Bus Plus book. She has even gone so far as to help strangers at stops and on the bus with their schedule questions.

Coco is a regular at our events and often knows our routes better than our own planners. After devastating service cuts, she gathered 500 signatures to successfully get Route 114 back. Her comment to one of our staff members was, "If Community Transit doesn't go there, then neither do I!"

Worksites that Achieved CTR Goal

Bob Drewel, Executive Director Puget Sound Regional Council with Monya Waskowich, Cypress Semiconductor (center) and Lisa Pritchard, Fiserv Health (right)

Six worksites in Snohomish County and Bothell attained their CTR goal for 2007. These companies are:

• AT&T Building 6 reduced drive alone by 15%
• Bingo King Company reduced drive alone by 10%
• Cypress Semiconductor reduced vehicle miles traveled by 39%
• Fiserv Health reduced drive alone by 22%
• Harris Ford reduced drive alone by 18% and vehcile miles traveled by 43%
• Puget Sound Energy reduced drive alone by 16%

Do you know a person or group committed to traveling by bus, carpool, vanpool, bike or foot? Earn recognition and applause for someone with an inspiring commuting story. Each year, Community Transit selects Saves Money And Reduces Traffic (SMART) Award winners. Nominees must work or live in Snohomish County or Bothell.

Winners receive a $100 VISA Gift Card and are honored at Community Transit's annual Visionary Awards luncheon in February. Help us thank the people who keep our air clean and our roads clear of traffic. You can even nominate yourself! Complete the nomination form online.

2006 Visionary Award Winners