With rainy weather settling in, now is the perfect time to encourage your employees to consider carpooling. Not only does carpooling help reduce traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions, but it also fosters a sense of community among coworkers. Plus, sharing rides can make rainy commutes more enjoyable and convenient!

To help your employees find carpool connections, Get There Connect offers a user-friendly tool called Rideboard. It's easy and totally free! Here’s how to use it:

How to Find Carpool Connections on Get There Connect:
1. Sign up or log in to Get There. 
2. Click "Dashboard."
3. Find "Upcoming Rideboard Trips" on the right and click "View All."
4. Click "Post a Ride" and fill in the details.
- Under "Trip Interest," select "Passenger Only" if you're looking for a ride or "Driver Only" if you want to offer a ride.
- If you're flexible, select "Driver or Passenger."
5. If you find a trip match, send the user a message to connect.
- Your message will be emailed to them and they can reply directly to your email address.
- Hosting an initial in-person meeting can help ensure that carpoolers feel comfortable and secure with one another. 

Check if there are posted rides: See if someone is already looking for a ride or offering one.
Help spread the word. The more people using Rideboard, the better it works!

Questions? Contact [email protected].

To share information about Rideboard at your worksite, download the English and/or Spanish digital flyers. 

To further encourage carpooling this season, consider incentivizing your employees with carpool priority parking or a fun contest. If you're interested in having WTA organize this initiative for you, don’t hesitate to contact us today! 

As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of work, remote options are becoming increasingly attractive for both employees and employers. Recent statistics highlight this shift: 42% of office workers are willing to take a 10% pay cut for the flexibility to work remotely, according to a survey by USA Today Blueprint conducted by OnePoll. Furthermore, 58% of white-collar workers prefer to work remotely at least three days a week, underscoring the desire for flexibility in today's workforce.

Looking ahead, it's estimated that by 2025, more than one in five Americans will be working remotely, as reported by Upwork. This trend not only enhances employee satisfaction but also presents a significant opportunity to reduce drive-alone trips to the office, ultimately lowering carbon emissions. Additionally, companies can save up to $10,600 per employee that works remotely, according to the US Career Institute. By going remote, businesses can save thousands each year on expenses like office rent, utilities, and supplies. For a company with 50 employees, this could translate to savings of half a million dollars annually.

Organizations like Get There Connect provide valuable resources to help businesses implement remote work options effectively. By allowing and supporting remote work for eligible employees, companies can improve their recruitment and retention strategies, appealing to the modern workforce's preference for flexibility. Additionally, employees who sign up on the Get There Oregon network and log their remote work days can qualify for giveaways and prizes.

For many businesses, a hybrid work model—where employees split their time between the office and remote work—could be the ideal solution. This approach not only fosters a healthier work-life balance but also contributes to a more sustainable future.

Embracing remote work isn't just about adapting to change; it’s about creating a better environment for employees and the planet.

The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBRP) is an initiative focused on replacing the existing I-5 Bridge over the Columbia River to enhance safety and alleviate congestion. This project could impact Washington County by improving regional connectivity, supporting economic development, and providing safer travel options for all residents. Community members are encouraged to stay informed and participate in discussions as the project progresses. Click here to review the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) page to learn more about the SEIS, the executive summary, and technical reports. Click here to submit your comments.

​The public comment period is open now until November 18th.

Don't miss out on this special offer!

Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) Information:
 
Funded by the Department of Energy, Forth has created a certification to recognize employers and workplaces leading the charge to address climate change and lower emissions by providing clean transportation options at the workplace.
 
Are you a business ready to highlight your commitment to sustainability? Sign up now to earn your certification—completely free until October 31st! Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your leadership in sustainability.
 
What is Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL)? 
EVAL is a free workplace charging certification program that offers tools and resources to increase workplace charging.
 
The EVAL certification helps businesses and employers

• Demonstrate sustainability leadership
• Increases property value
• Attract and retain talent
• Reduce emissions from commutes
• Achieve sustainability goals

 
Employers from all industries and sizes, including state, local or Tribal government entities, community-based organizations and nonprofits, are eligible to apply.
 
EVAL-certified employers receive a variety of perks and recognition, including a certificate, multimedia promotions from Forth and partners, the opportunity to participate in the EVAL Roundtable Workgroup, templates and resources, and a spotlight on the EVAL website.
 
Check out the EVAL website for more information. 

You can reach out to [email protected] for any questions you may have. Additionally, WTA is here to support you with your EVAL Certification application. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more details.

Applications submitted by 10/31/2024 are free!

In case you missed it, you can now watch our most recent webinar Get There Connect, the best free tool you're not using. 

In the webinar, we explored how Get There Connect (Get There Oregon's transportation platform) supports various transportation options in the Portland Metro area, helping organizations promote smarter commuting solutions. Our experts highlighted the platform's features and the numerous benefits of supporting diverse commute options for your employees, which can enhance both business productivity and your environmental impact. 

Watch the recording here, and we’d love to hear your thoughts! WTA is here to assist you in getting started on the platform and support any other commuting initiatives you’re pursuing. Contact us today!

Visit our website to learn more.

Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) Information:
 
Funded by the Department of Energy, Forth has created a certification to recognize employers and workplaces leading the charge to address climate change and lower emissions by providing clean transportation options at the workplace.
 
Are you a business ready to highlight your commitment to sustainability? Sign up now to earn your certification—completely free until October 31st! Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your leadership in sustainability.
 
What is Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL)? 
EVAL is a free workplace charging certification program that offers tools and resources to increase workplace charging.
 
The EVAL certification helps businesses and employers

• Demonstrate sustainability leadership
• Increases property value
• Attract and retain talent
• Reduce emissions from commutes
• Achieve sustainability goals

 
Employers from all industries and sizes, including state, local or Tribal government entities, community-based organizations and nonprofits, are eligible to apply.
 
EVAL-certified employers receive a variety of perks and recognition, including a certificate, multimedia promotions from Forth and partners, the opportunity to participate in the EVAL Roundtable Workgroup, templates and resources, and a spotlight on the EVAL website.
 
Check out the EVAL website for more information. 

You can reach out to [email protected] for any questions you may have. Additionally, WTA is here to support you with your EVAL Certification application. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more details.

The results are in! Our 2024 Active Transportation Challenge winners are:

WTA League Team Awards
First Place: City of Hillsboro
Second Place: Vernier Science Education

Individual Grand Prize Winners
First Place: Lauren, LAIKA Studios
Second Place: Melinda, City of Hillsboro
Third Place: Nick, City of Hillsboro

Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to everyone who participated. Overall we had 91 participants and 9 teams in the Challenge, logging a grand total of 2,172 trips and 14,114 miles! Well done everybody.

Keep an eye out for more challenges coming your way, and see you next year for the 2025 Active Transportation Challenge!

The Get There Car Free Challenge is right around the corner! From Sept. 16–22, take the pledge to drive less for a week or log at least 2 trips taken by transit, walking, biking, scooter, carpooling, and vanpooling for the chance to win prizes! Check out what you could win at GetThereOregon.org/Challenge.

The final day of the challenge, September 22, will celebrate the annual World Car Free Day event and the many benefits of driving less.