Agency Honors Commuter Champions

Awards luncheon recognizes Snohomish County and Bothell workplaces and commuters

Lynnwood, Wash. – Community Transit hosted an award luncheon to recognize workplaces and commuters who made a difference by exploring commute options in exceptional ways in 2018.

The luncheon was held at the Lynnwood Convention Center, with a welcome from City of Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith. Award winners were announced at the luncheon following presentations from City of Lynnwood Economic Director David Kleitsch on future changes to Lynnwood’s downtown core and Community Transit CEO Emmett Heath on the future of transportation in Snohomish County.

Community Transit honors commuters and companies in Snohomish County and Bothell that work to reduce traffic congestion and encourage smart transportation choices such as riding the bus, sharing a ride, bicycling, or walking.

The agency receives funding to promote transportation option programs to residents and employees on Snohomish County’s most congested corridors. Commuters honored at the event were selected by an advisory board of their peers and regularly logged at least 16 days per month of alternate commuting methods.

For their smart transportation choices, Community Transit honored this year’s winners:

• Curb the Congestion Champion of the Year – Craig Ferguson 
• Smart Commuter of the Year – Lynda Newton

2018 Curb the Congestion Champion of the Year, Craig Ferguson 

Curb the Congestion Champion Craig Ferguson is a father of three, motivated to commute because he wants his children to have cleaner air. Ferguson is an Everett resident that has combined bus riding and walking for his daily commute for almost 20 years. “I am committed to riding the bus for the health of our community and planet,” Ferguson said.

VIDEO: Craig Ferguson commute story: https://vimeo.com/331114069 

2018 Smart Commuter of the Year, Lynda Newton

Smart Commuter, Lynda Newton has chosen not to ride alone for her commute to Premera in Mountlake Terrace for more than 11 years. Newton ferries from Kingston and then either buses or walks the three miles to her workplace. “I am removing one vehicle from our congested roads," she said. "If every other person did it, what a difference we would make!” 

VIDEO: Lynda Newton commute story:  https://vimeo.com/331114107 

Community Transit also honored companies in Snohomish County and Bothell that work to reduce traffic congestion and encourage smart transportation choices.

2018 Worksite Champions of the Year

• Engagement & Participation Champion of the Year – Allstate

  Allstate’s program participation doubled.

• Special Events & Promotions Champion of the Year – Collins Aerospace

 Collins Aerospace increased the amount of employees using non-drive alone modes by 91 percent.

• Benefits & Incentives Champion of the Year – National Credit Services (NCS)

NCS promoted structured ridesharing rewards and incentives and is now at nearly a 50 percent carpool rate.

• Business Champion of the Year – United Medical Resources (UMR)

A new onboarding process allows UMR employees to telework directly after initial training and now 56 percent of their employees telework regularly.

More information about Community Transit’s Commute Trip Reduction program.

Community Transit is responsible for providing bus and paratransit service, vanpool and alternative commute options in Snohomish County. The agency is building a network of Swift bus rapid transit lines with Swift Blue Line along Highway 99 and the Swift Green Line between Canyon Park/Bothell and Boeing/Paine Field.