The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Commute Seattle recently held the second annual Seattle Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Champion Awards gala, honoring Seattle employers who supported the CTR program.
In a group of 250 large employers, 60 of them were recognized for their commuter programs, making the largest decreases in drive-alone commuting and providing transportation benefits for employees who actively participated in the program.
The highest award, which is the platinum level, went to two employers: Bloodworks Northwest and KPFF Consulting Engineers. The Lowest Drive-Alone Rate Award in Seattle went to UW Physicians and Alere Health LLC, as did the award for the largest trip-reduction rates seen since 2013.
The awards ceremony featured Andrew Glass Hastings, the transit and transportation adviser for Mayor Edward Murray, who gave opening remarks. KOMO 4 News traffic anchor Paris Jackson served as emcee, and Ben Franz-Knight, executive director of the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority, gave the keynote speech.
The goal of the program is to create a partnership with large employers, allowing them to connect with the tools and resources they need to support their employees’ commuting options. This helps the companies grow and the economy to expand.
“Our program is a win-win for everyone — our employees, our business and the city,” Kelly Lesoing, KPFF’s employee transportation coordinator, said.
