TransManage, the transportation management association service of the Bellevue Downtown Association, is recognized for their “outstanding public/private partnerships,” which significantly advanced progress toward maintaining accessibility and achieving mode split goals for Downtown Bellevue. The partnership with the City of Bellevue and King County Metro is the foundation for transportation demand management (TDM) work in the downtown area. Utilizing I-405 mitigation funds from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Commute Advantage program was launched in 2008 to provide benefit consultations and other assistance to non-CTR affected employers in the downtown core. Over 1,000 employees received a FlexPass with this program, representing 39 small employers who provided a financial benefit, especially important during the time of lane closures on I-405.

An example of the success of the Commute Advantage program is an increase in CTR activities among smaller employers. LUMEDX, under the leadership of Corkey Christensen, and with assistance from TransManage, doubled its transit subsidy resulting in a 77% increase in participation. DCI Engineers and Cari Jackson worked with TransManage and now has 54% of its employees using the FlexPass. In 2008, additional funding sources were leveraged to open a secure, indoor bike parking and commute planning facility at the Bellevue Transit Center, provide a telework assistance program for 10 downtown Bellevue employers and generate 200 registrations for RideshareOnline.com.

TransManage deserves this achievement award for inspiring all of us to work together to make a difference in the region. Its partners, WSDOT, King County Metro and the City of Bellevue are deserving of recognition for their roles in achieving success for all these projects. Thank you, especially, to Sarah Vega and Caryn Walline of TransManage.

 

*Some definitions: An "ETC" is the staff-level employee transportation coordinator responsible for the daily administration of the transportation program. "SOV" stands for single-occupant vehicle, and "CTR" for commute trip reduction.