Co-Hop Commute M-POWER CAMPAIGN

Transport Successful communities rely on effective multi-modal transport options like buses, trains, cycling, walking and car-share to thrive. Did you know? Macquarie staff and students combined, reduced single-occupancy car journeys from 51% in 2010, to 30% in 2014! As you may have guessed, our first M-power theme for 2016 is all around transport, and travelling to and from Campus. A survey undertaken every 2 years by GTA Consultants give us good data on how people are coming to campus, where they are coming from, and how long their journey takes. So I can tell you that single-occupant vehicle journeys are still our favoured mode at 30%, however this is closely followed by commuting by train at 27%. The majority of respondents (10%) are travelling from 2122 postcode areas, which is Eastwood and Marsfield, and 59% of commuters travel 39 minutes or less from home to campus. Importantly for us, 79% stated they would consider an alternative, realistic option of, selecting either train, bus, carpooling, cycling or walking. This gives us great scope to motivate others in our areas to possibly choose more sustainable transport options. The last survey was held in 2014, so we are due for one this year.

What are we doing? As with many of our initiatives and campaigns, we work closely with Ryde Council on infrastructure and demands affecting Macquarie. Furthermore, as a large member of the Ryde Council area, we also hold a standing position on the Ryde Council Bicycle Advisory Committee.  This allows us to build good relationships with the Ryde Council, as well as other committee members, and feed into future development within the area.  It also allows us to keep abreast of issues facing riders that can be filtered back to our own riding community members. Over the past couple of years, we have been members of Connect Macquarie Park, and in 2015, we worked closely with Connect, who undertook an audit of the University's transport usage and infrastructure.  Findings within this audit will in turn feed into future planning to continually improve our offerings.   Further, we collaborate with Connect by hosting joint stalls and events throughout the year.  These include the 'Getting to Macquarie' stall for Info Day and O Week, as well as hosting a Ride2Uni Day breakfast together on campus every October. We also leverage Connect's own transport campaigns across campus, to build greater community cohesion.  Our most recent campaign, and this quarter’s M-power, is promoting Connect's Co-Hop initiative.

Co-Hop – What is it? Co-Hop is an innovative online tool to make your commute to Macquarie Park that little bit easier, whilst broadening your range of transport choices. Find and connect with: Best routes Travel buddies Carpool rides Travel benefits / discounts Prizes! As you’ve just heard from Rebecca, Co-Hop is an online tool that makes connecting and logging your commutes easily.

Co-Hop – How does it work? Fast and easy to use Sign up: www.co-hop.com.au Easy to match How it works: Fast and easy to use - the intuitive user interface makes it easy for anyone to manage and find matching rides and colleagues Sign up - and find a ride in less than two minutes Easy to match - find your perfect match either en-route or by destination Peace of mind - find matches within your business or within the Macquarie Park and North Ryde precinct, you choose Ready. Set. Go. Peace of mind Ready. Set. Go.

Co-Hop – Where to go? Connect Macquarie Park Initiative Information on Co-Hop can be found at: http://www.connectmacpark.com/#ride-share After today, we will be sending around an email with all these links available to you, with instructions on how you can sign up to Co-Hop, register for discounts, and be in the running for a number of prizes.

Co-Hop – call to action Join Co-Hop. It's free and you'll access other great benefits like discounts for GoGet and BicycleNSW memberships).  Change one trip per week. Car pool, bike ride, or simply commute outside of peak-hour to help ease congestion by 5-7% and gain peace of mind.  Spread the word. Encourage and motivate staff, students and the Macquarie Park community to join Co-Hop.  Record it and be rewarded! Log your trips in the Co-Hop system and reap rewards such as free Opal cards and free coffees. Inform future planning today. Be council's eyes and ears. Love or hate your commute? Contact your local MP and share your experiences.  So, we’re asking you all to spread the word! Think about your commuting options, and see if you can mix it up a bit. Sign up to Co-Hop and get matched with fellow commuters Motivate and encourage others to do the same! Receive discounts from local retailers, and go in the running for a number of prizes, such as: lucky draw prize for a registered user, lucky draw prize for logged trips, winner for most number of logged trips during the M-power quarter, and vouchers to those who buddy or car pool with another Co-Hop user. All details will be up on the website, and cheat sheets are again available for you to take back to your areas.

Purchase prizes with points Encourage your colleagues to sign up to Co-Hop today and start earning great rewards!

Thank you! WWW.MQ.EDU.AU/TRANSPORT