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Alternative commuting helps save miles, money

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  In 1991, the Commute Trip Reduction Law was implemented by the Washington State Legislature to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion and reduce fuel consumption.

The Commute Trip Reduction Program, an option for Active Duty, Reservists, National Guard, part-time federal employees, paid interns and non-appropriated fund employees provides alternative ways of commuting to base.

"Carpooling, riding the bus, walking and bicycling are alternative transportation options Airmen can use to get to work," said Joshua Potter, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron air program manager and employee transportation coordinator. "Personnel who use a commute alternative can save money on gas, vehicle maintenance and save Fairchild up to 500,000 vehicle miles."

Currently Spokane Transit Authority has 96 vanpools, 17 come to Fairchild with approximately 100 riders every day. The Department of Defense has a monthly subsidy of up to $255 per month to encourage personnel and can only be used to pay for bus passes or vanpool fare. Participants who vanpool are issued a TRANServe card by the United States Department of Transportation. The cards are pre-loaded monthly to cover fare. Members who ride the bus are given Transit Vouchers, Potter said.

"I see a lot of personnel walking to work from base housing and the dorms, and I encourage them to track their daily commute on-line," Potter said. "By filling out the commute calendar online, members will automatically be entered into CTR campaigns and will be eligible to win prizes."

Fairchild personnel can nominate any employee who displays dedication and commitment to the use of a commute alternative, Potter said.

The CTR program has several areas to meet for vanpooling all over Washington State. The local vanpool meeting areas include: West Spokane, Five Mile, Geiger Heights, Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley, North Spokane, South Hill, Post Falls, Medical Lake, Nine Mile, Seven Mile, Wandemere and Colbert.

To register for an online commute account visit MyCommute.org

For more information on the CTR program, contact Joshua Potter at (509) 247-8139.