As a non-profit organization, Smart Commute – North Toronto, Vaughan (Smart Commute NTV) relies on program funding from our partners.  Smart Commute NTV programs are based on a cost-recovery model and are leveraged against government funding to reduce delivery cost.

The following program packages are a sampling of our suggested combinations of deliverables. The costs for providing each package are based on our deliverables. The packages combine complementary activities to both ensure successful programming and minimize delivery costs. We will work with your organization to design packages that are specifically tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.

Contact us for a summary of the funding structure.

Site-Assessment *

Smart Commute NTV will conduct an on-site assessment.  This will provide a comprehensive analysis of the partner's facility with regards to existing commuting policies and infrastructure and help guide cost-effective Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies.

Baseline Commuter Survey *

Smart Commute NTV will provide a confidential employee transportation survey, for internal distribution to employees, to identify employees’ concerns and needs with regard to commuting and to identify potential demand for sustainable transportation options. The resulting report will suggest potential options for reducing Single Occupant Vehicle (SOV) trips and set a baseline to aid with tracking the impact of the program on commuter choices.

Employee Commuting Assistance

Based on the results of the baseline commuter survey, Smart Commute NTV will create a Transportation Options Summary that can be distributed to employees and used to promote transportation alternatives during Environmental Fairs or other employee events held by the partner.

Event to promote sustainable transportation and ride-matching

Smart Commute NTV will organize an event at the partner workplace to encourage and promote sustainable transportation alternatives to employees. In addition to providing educational materials, commute counselling and prizes, events will positively impact employee morale, foster a healthier work environment and spark interest in sustainable transportation options.

Attend an employer organized event

The Smart Commute Program Manager will attend an event, organized by the partner, and distribute “Smart Commuting” promotional and educational materials, answer questions and promote alternative commuting modes. Prizes may also be provided to encourage participation.

Focus Groups

In either the initial or subsequent years of partnership, Smart Commute NTV will conduct focus groups of various sizes in order to both gather information about current attitudes towards alternative transportation modes and as a feedback mechanism for implemented commuter programs. The resulting report will assist Smart Commute NTV to design, implement and adjust program delivery to meet the needs of individual workplaces more effectively.

Educational Workshops

Smart Commute NTV will coordinate interactive, hands-on workshops, designed to provide detailed information regarding a particular topic, for example: bicycle safety, using public transportation or carpooling and the Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program. These workshops address a particular need in your organization and can easily be delivered in a “lunch and learn” format.

Ride-Matching / Carpooling Program

Smart Commute NTV will provide participating partners with access to a local ride-matching/carpooling program. Smart Commute NTV will assist partners to set up an internal, comprehensive and user-friendly web-based matching program tailored exclusively to ride-matching for the partner company with the option of providing access to an existing local ride-matching program that provides additional carpool opportunities with other suitable organizations in the immediate area. Program Managers will update, monitor and measure the success of ride-matching program and assist employees with the sign up process.

Emergency Ride Home (ERH) Program

Smart Commute NTV will initiate, administer and promote an ERH program for employees who actively participate in alternative commuting options to ensure that, in the case of an emergency, a taxi, transit ride or car rental will be reimbursed. Each eligible and registered employee is entitled to four emergency rides home per year and will be provided with the relevant information to access program should the need arise. This program encourages employees to use alternative modes of transportation by ensuring employees that they will have a ride home in the case of an emergency.

Clean Air Commute Event

Smart Commute NTV recommends registering in the GTA-wide Clean Air Commute event to raise awareness of the benefits to businesses, employees and the environment of reducing Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) trips. Smart Commute NTV will pay the registration, arrange for the delivery and collection of all promotional and tracking materials and book lunchtime clinics for employees, if desired.  Smart Commute NTV will also arrange to have all participating employees entered into a draw for prizes as an incentive to participate.

Advocacy

Smart Commute NTV will advocate for improved transit (routes, service, shelters and frequency), enhanced sustainable transportation infrastructure and other sustainable modes of transportation. This potentially includes speaking engagements, industry functions, committee meetings with relevant stakeholders, deputations, consultations and public and media relations.

Promotion and Recognition

Smart Commute NTV will highlight participating partners on marketing and communication material. Smart Commute NTV will promote partners' contributions to reducing congestion and emissions on our re-branded website and brochure, and provide other promotional opportunities that may include media events and interviews, trade shows, presentations and promotions.

Additional Surveys and Program Evaluation *

Smart Commute NTV will undertake additional feedback activities to understand and address barriers to uptake of alternative commuter modes.

TDM Consulting

Smart Commute NTV can provide extensive consultation on such Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies as parking cash-out, vanpool, shuttle services, transit subsidies, cycling and telework, as required to meet the individual needs of the partner’s worksite. Smart Commute NTV’s involvement will facilitate and expedite successful implementation of employee trip reduction programs.

* Site-assessment and baseline commuter survey are only necessary during the first year of partnership; subsequently, these programs will be replaced by follow-up surveys and focus groups to function as feedback mechanisms.