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ITD earns 'silver' status for alternative commutes

ITD employees in the Treasure Valley learned this week there is a silver lining behind every stalled car or interstate traffic backup. The silver comes in the form of recognition for ITD’s participation in the annual May In Motion campaign, sponsored by the Ada County Highway District’s Commuteride.

Employees who shunned single-occupant vehicles to reach work propelled the department to a silver award, said Dianna Magstadt who coordinates the program at ITD. Last year, ITD received bronze status.

By attaining the silver status, ITD will receive the following:

Recognition in one half-page ads in the Idaho Statesman
Recognition in one full-page Boise Weekly ad
Recognition on bus exterior advertisements
Recognition at the Alternative Transportation Champion awards luncheon

Visibility in those venues is estimated to be worth $5,500, according to Commuteride

Magstadt said ITD finished the month-long alternative commuting program with 1,871 trips that ranged from car- and vanpools and public transportation to bicycling and walking to or from work.

Fifty-three employees took part in the program. Magstadt reported the following results to Commuteride:

Number of employees who worked four 10-hour days per week, 5
Number of trips employees biked, 399
Number of trips employees telecommuted, 20
Number of trips employees rode the bus, 39
Number of trips employees carpooled, 642
Number of trips employees vanpooled, 255
Number of trips employees walked, 97

The silver award criteria also considered internal promotional events and incentives of amenities offered for participation.