ncreasingly long drive times, gasoline that hangs stubbornly around $3.00 a gallon, and a mass transit system that never was designed for suburban businesses and their employees make telecommuting an intriguing idea.
Asked to identify the most devoted, loyal employees at their company, many people would probably point to colleagues who are at their desks before everyone else arrives and who remain there after everyone else leaves.
But that answer may be wrong.
Ten thousand cars per day. That’s how many vehicles are no longer on Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton roads thanks to Smart Commute. The Initiative has worked with local employers and commuters over the last three years to help more people walk, cycle, take transit, telework and carpool, and the results have shown some amazing successes.
“Not only have we helped relieve congestion, but we’ve taken action on climate change, too,” says Ryan Lanyon, project director for the Smart Commute Association. “Commuters who decided to smart commute with us have prevented
enough greenhouse gas emissions to fill the Rogers Centre almost six times.”
The Initiative has also been active in cleaning the air in the GTA and Hamilton, by reducing air pollution by 100,000 kg – or the same as if residents smoked more than three billion cigarettes. And there are even more benefits to public health and the local economy.“I congratulate the Smart Commute Association on yet another great achievement,” said Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Lawrence Cannon. “Smart Commute’s work supports Canada’s New Government’s overall environmental agenda to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases and protect the health of Canadians and the environment. Our government is pleased to support commuters’ efforts.”
More than 50 employers with 150,000 employees have signed on to the Smart
Commute program including IBM, DuPont, ING Direct, York University, Maple Lodge Farms, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Hatch and the Canadian Automobile Association. Members of the public can also access services such as the Carpool Zone, an online ridematching service, at www.smartcommute.ca.
Now let’s move some of these jobs to Northern Ontario. Steve
The concept of working from home is intriguing. Bunny slippers, pajamas and starting work at noon are all images that may come to mind when you think about telecommuting or working from home.
While this is not very likely the case for most individuals, it is worthwhile to explore the idea of telecommuting.