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Winners commended for participating in Rideshare event

— Examples of social and environmental responsibility —

Idaho businesses competed in the Employer’s Challenge during Idaho Rideshare Week (Oct. 7-13) to encourage their employees to park their cars and choose alternative methods for commuting to work.

Participants were asked to consider carpools or vanpools when traveling to and from work and keep a log of their commutes. Businesses with the highest participation level in small, medium, large and extra-large categories were considered for the Rideshare Week Employer Challenge.

The top firms in each category were:

Small business: INSIGHT architects, p.a.
Medium business: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Large business: Boise VA (Veterans Affairs) Medical Center
Extra-large business: The city of Boise

In addition to the employer challenge, individuals were invited to participate and take transit, carpool, vanpool, and bike or walk to work to be eligible for daily prizes. More than 190 individuals took part in the inaugural Idaho Rideshare Week, an event that will be scheduled annually.

The first statewide event produced an estimated savings of more than 24,000 pounds of carbon emissions that otherwise would have been released into the air.

“We'd like to thank all of the individuals and businesses who participated in the first annual Idaho Rideshare Week. In addition, CTAI would like to congratulate those businesses who logged the most commute miles in their respective categories,” said Heather Wheeler, executive director of Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI).

“By participating, INSIGHT architects, p.a., the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Boise VA Medical Center and the city of Boise showed their employees the many benefits of commuting by alternative transportation, from reducing wear-and-tear on their vehicle and shrinking their personal carbon footprint, to saving money on gas.

“Sharing rides can also increase wellness, productivity and retention — creating a benefit to the employee, the company, and the community. CTAI commends these businesses for being socially and environmentally responsible and doing their part to keep Idaho clean and beautiful.”