Providing Travel Choice Through Employee Shuttles Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada...

Providing Travel Choice Through Employee Shuttles

Association for Commuter Transportation of CanadaSustainable Mobility Summit 2012

Suzanne Charbonneau, P. Eng.Transportation Engineer

[email protected], 416-229-4647 ext.2440

Brian Shifman BA Hons., P.R. Cert. Executive [email protected], 416-650-8059

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Presentation OutlineSmart Commute Don Mills Corporate Shuttle

Filling the Gap

Piloting the New Service

Measuring Success

Employer’s Perspective

Moving Forward

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FILLING THE GAP


Measuring Success


Moving Forward

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A unique pilot project: multiple organizations at various

locations coming together to provide a shuttle service for

their employees

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Filling the gap• Sheppard line stopped short at Don Mills Station

• ~ 10 to 30 min walk from businesses in the Don Mills Corporate Area

• Infrequent TTC service through the business park

• Historically low transit mode share within the park with high willingness to try public transit

• 2009 Dillon commuter survey: 20% of staff taking transit, 44% definitely willing to try

• Opportunity to expand the Smart Commute program amongst additional businesses within the park

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Filling the gap

PILOTING THE NEW SERVICE

Measuring Success


Moving Forward

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Forming Partnerships

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Overview

• 24 passenger shuttle bus operating between Don Mills Station and key businesses within the Consumers Road Business Area

• Operates 5 days a week during the morning, evening, and lunch time periods (15 runs/day)

• Initial pilot project operating Feb. – April 2012

• Pilot extension May 2012 – January 2013 (full year)

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The route

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• 30 minute round trip service

• Morning: 7:30 – 9:45 a.m.

• Evening: 3:30 – 6:45 p.m.

• Lunch time: 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

The Schedule

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Project Costs

• Based on a cost-recovery model

• Subsidized by government partners

• Two-tiered payment structure:

• Small businesses pay an equal, flat participation fee

• Property managers pay proportionally based on the building’s square footage rate

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Filling the gap


MEASURING SUCCESS


Moving Forward

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Measuring Success• Passenger counts (by employer, time of day)

• Passenger surveys (measured against baseline survey)

• Reduced pressure on employer parking/increased transit ridership

• Participating partner satisfaction

• Ability to expand/extend the shuttle pilot period

• Overall promotional buzz/visibility

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Passenger Counts

February March April May June July August September0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Ridership

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Passenger survey

• 97% of riders rate this service as an 8, 9, or 10 out of 10

• 76% of riders reported taking the shuttle due to its convenience and ease (write in question)

• 100% of riders would recommend the service to a friend

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Filling the gap


Measuring Success

EMPLOYER’S PERSPECTIVE

Moving Forward


The Challenges

The Issues

The Solution

The Transit ChallengeCorporate Perspective:

• Transit Solutions are not just about congestion reduction strategies and addressing the needs of those that cannot afford to drive

• From a business perspective, it is all about four broad issues:

1. Recruitment and retention

2. Employee productivity and punctuality

3. Align actions with environmental policy/belief

4. Corporate Image and employee morale19

Today’s Commuting Challenge

• Source: “The Impact of Commuting on Employees”. Business Week Research Services in Partnership with Transit Centre; February 2008 20

Retention



Productivity



Corporate

Image

Dillon’s Challenge• Toronto office of 100 staff members

• Located in an industrial park 12 minute walk from the subway

• A young workforce attracted to a downtown environment (live without a vehicle)

• Strong Corporate Environment Management Initiative and Local ‘Green Team’ in the office

• Members of Smart Commute North Toronto Vaughan

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Attracting Generation Y

Want to keep the Gen Y'ers happy?

• 96% want an environmentally aware workplace

• want evidence that their employers are going beyond the minimum levels of environmental compliance by embracing all things green on an everyday basis

Source: Johnson Controls, Inc.

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Dillon’s Toronto Office

68% agree that their commute experience directly affects their overall job satisfaction.

Source: stresstop.com

Internal Challenges• Unpredictable consulting lives

• Culture change

• Competing environmental initiatives

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Source: Bodyguardcareers.com

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Transit Connection

Staff Transit Mode Share

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Portion of staff using public transit:

• 19% in 2006

• 20% in 2009

• 28% in April 2012

• 41% in September 2012

Shuttle Introduced

Employee Reaction• Ridership statistics:

– May 2012: 186

– August 2012: 232

– 60% of Dillon rides are in the evening

• Staff survey:– 30% of staff use shuttle

occasionally/regularly for commuting or lunch (June 2012)

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Internal Marketing

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• Friday lunch outing to Fairview Mall

• Free TTC tokens for new staff for a week

• TTC token giveaways for drivers committed to trying transit for a week

• Schedule posted & provided to employees

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Filling the gap


Measuring Success


MOVING FORWARD

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Moving forward

• Continue to work on a sustainable funding model (focusing on property managers)

• Annual evaluation of the shuttle pilot

• Explore other shuttle options

• Use best practices gained through pilot to facilitate continuous innovation and improvement

Thank-You!Questions?

Association for Commuter Transportation of CanadaSustainable Mobility Summit 2012

Suzanne Charbonneau, P. Eng.Transportation Engineer

[email protected], 416-229-4647 ext.2440

Brian Shifman BA Hons., P.R. Cert. Executive [email protected], 416-650-8059

Providing Travel Choice Through Employee Shuttles Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada...

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