Community Transit

Commute Trip Reduction

What is Commute Trip Reduction (CTR)?

CTR is a Washington state law that requires employers with 100 or more employees to develop programs that encourage their employees to use alternatives to driving alone for their commute. The Washington State Legislature passed the original CTR law in 1991 in an effort to reduce traffic congestion, reduce energy use and alleviate air pollution. The law was recently updated with the passage of the CTR Efficiency ACT in 2006. Read more about Washington State’s Commute Trip Reduction Law.

Who's Affected?

The CTR laws applies to all employers, including public (i.e., federal, state and local governments, and military) and private, which have 100 or more “affected” employees who work at a single worksite. “Affected employees” are those employees who:

• Work full-time (35 or more hours/week).
• Are scheduled to begin work between 6 and 9 a.m. on two or more weekdays for at least 12 continuous months at a single worksite.

The CTR law also applies to local jurisdictions (cities and counties) where an affected employer is located, as well as all state agencies - even if they have fewer than 100 affected employees.

Worksites with fewer than 100 employees can participate in the CTR program voluntarily. Community Transit also offers a small employer program.

Reduction Goals

Each CTR affected or voluntary worksite has set goals to achieve in reducing drive alone rate and employee vehicle miles traveled. After conducting a baseline survey, your worksite’s goals will be to reduce 10% of your current drive alone rate and 13% of your employee vehicle miles traveled within a four year period.

What must CTR employers do?

Employers must make a good faith effort to develop and implement a CTR program. This means, at minimum, doing the following:

• Designating an Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) who will be the liaison between the worksite and Community Transit.
• Displaying the ETC’s name and contact information where employees are likely to see it.
• Distributing information to employees about commute options to driving alone.
• Implementing a set of measures geared toward achieving the CTR goals.
• Surveying employees about their commuting habits every two years.
• Reporting annually about progress toward meeting CTR goals.
• ETC must attend basic training within six months of appointment.
• Worksite must hold a transportation fair or equivalent annually.
• ETCs must attend an additional six hours of advanced training or networking annually.
• Employers must notify Community Transit Transportation Demand Management Specialists when they experience significant changes, including a change in the ETC, number of employees or worksite relocation.

Some of the additional strategies that may be implemented at the worksite include a variety of program elements such as:

• Forming a worksite CTR committee.
• Ensuring strong management support.
• Providing subsidies for commute alternatives.
• Charging for parking.
• Participating in ridematch programs such as RideshareOnline.com.
• Providing other direct financial incentives.
• Participating in a Guaranteed Ride Home program.
• Providing preferential parking for carpools and vanpools.
• Providing bicycle racks and lockers.
• Providing showers and lockers.
• Installing and stocking commute information boards.
• Providing telework and compressed work week programs.
• Providing free or reduced parking fees for carpools and vanpools.

How can we help you?

Commute programs can be added to your benefit package at little cost to you and your company can profit from these programs. Employees who rideshare are absent and tardy less often, and are usually more productive. Demand for parking can be reduced. And, an Employee Transportation Program can actually enhance your community and employee relations. Community Transit offers several programs in support of your efforts, so contact Community Transit’s Transportation Demand Management Specialists today to get started.

Employer Information Form

Complete the Employer Information Form (pdf). Community Transit’s Transportation Demand Management staff will use this information to assign a representative to your worksite and begin evaluating the best Employee Transportation Program for your worksite.