Providing Travel Choice Through Employee Shuttles Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada Sustainable Mobility Summit 2012 Suzanne Charbonneau, P. Eng. Transportation Engineer ext.2440 Brian Shifman BA Hons., P.R. Cert. Executive Director

2 Presentation Outline Smart Commute Don Mills Corporate Shuttle Filling the Gap Piloting the New Service Measuring Success Employer’s Perspective Moving Forward

3 Presentation Outline Smart Commute Don Mills Corporate Shuttle FILLING THE GAP Piloting the New Service Measuring Success Employer’s Perspective Moving Forward

4 A unique pilot project: multiple organizations at various locations coming together to provide a shuttle service for their employees

5 Filling the gap Sheppard line stopped short at Don Mills Station ~ 10 to 30 min walk from businesses in the Don Mills Corporate Area Infrequent TTC service through the business park Historically low transit mode share within the park with high willingness to try public transit 2009 Dillon commuter survey: 20% of staff taking transit, 44% definitely willing to try Opportunity to expand the Smart Commute program amongst additional businesses within the park

6 Presentation Outline Smart Commute Don Mills Corporate Shuttle Filling the gap PILOTING THE NEW SERVICE Measuring Success Employer’s Perspective Moving Forward

7 Forming Partnerships

8 Overview 24 passenger shuttle bus operating between Don Mills Station and key businesses within the Consumers Road Business Area Operates 5 days a week during the morning, evening, and lunch time periods (15 runs/day) Initial pilot project operating Feb. – April 2012 Pilot extension May 2012 – January 2013 (full year)

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10 The route

11 30 minute round trip service Morning: 7:30 – 9:45 a.m. Evening: 3:30 – 6:45 p.m. Lunch time: 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. The Schedule

12 Project Costs Based on a cost-recovery model Subsidized by government partners Two-tiered payment structure: Small businesses pay an equal, flat participation fee Property managers pay proportionally based on the building’s square footage rate

13 Presentation Outline Smart Commute Don Mills Corporate Shuttle Filling the gap Piloting the New Service MEASURING SUCCESS Employer’s Perspective Moving Forward

14 Measuring Success Passenger counts (by employer, time of day) Passenger surveys (measured against baseline survey) Reduced pressure on employer parking/increased transit ridership Participating partner satisfaction Ability to expand/extend the shuttle pilot period Overall promotional buzz/visibility

15 Passenger Counts

16 Passenger survey 97% of riders rate this service as an 8, 9, or 10 out of 10 76% of riders reported taking the shuttle due to its convenience and ease (write in question) 100% of riders would recommend the service to a friend

17 Presentation Outline Smart Commute Don Mills Corporate Shuttle Filling the gap Piloting the New Service Measuring Success EMPLOYER’S PERSPECTIVE Moving Forward

Employer’s Perspective The Challenges The Issues The Solution

The Transit Challenge Corporate Perspective: Transit Solutions are not just about congestion reduction strategies and addressing the needs of those that cannot afford to drive From a business perspective, it is all about four broad issues: 1.Recruitment and retention 2.Employee productivity and punctuality 3.Align actions with environmental policy/belief 4.Corporate Image and employee morale 19

Today’s Commuting Challenge Source: “The Impact of Commuting on Employees”. Business Week Research Services in Partnership with Transit Centre; February Retention

Today’s Commuting Challenge Source: “The Impact of Commuting on Employees”. Business Week Research Services in Partnership with Transit Centre; February Productivity

Today’s Commuting Challenge Source: “The Impact of Commuting on Employees”. Business Week Research Services in Partnership with Transit Centre; February Corporate Image

Dillon’s Challenge Toronto office of 100 staff members Located in an industrial park 12 minute walk from the subway A young workforce attracted to a downtown environment (live without a vehicle) Strong Corporate Environment Management Initiative and Local ‘Green Team’ in the office Members of Smart Commute North Toronto Vaughan 23

Attracting Generation Y Want to keep the Gen Y'ers happy? 96% want an environmentally aware workplace want evidence that their employers are going beyond the minimum levels of environmental compliance by embracing all things green on an everyday basis Source: Johnson Controls, Inc.

25 Dillon’s Toronto Office 68% agree that their commute experience directly affects their overall job satisfaction. Source: stresstop.com

Internal Challenges Unpredictable consulting lives Culture change Competing environmental initiatives 26 Source: Bodyguardcareers.com

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31 Transit Connection

Staff Transit Mode Share 32 Portion of staff using public transit: 19% in % in % in April % in September 2012 Shuttle Introduced

Employee Reaction Ridership statistics: –May 2012: 186 –August 2012: 232 –60% of Dillon rides are in the evening Staff survey: –30% of staff use shuttle occasionally/regularly for commuting or lunch (June 2012) 33

Internal Marketing 34 Friday lunch outing to Fairview Mall Free TTC tokens for new staff for a week TTC token giveaways for drivers committed to trying transit for a week Schedule posted & provided to employees

35 Presentation Outline Smart Commute Don Mills Corporate Shuttle Filling the gap Piloting the New Service Measuring Success Employer’s Perspective MOVING FORWARD

36 Moving forward Continue to work on a sustainable funding model (focusing on property managers) Annual evaluation of the shuttle pilot Explore other shuttle options Use best practices gained through pilot to facilitate continuous innovation and improvement

Thank-You! Questions? Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada Sustainable Mobility Summit 2012 Suzanne Charbonneau, P. Eng. Transportation Engineer ext.2440 Brian Shifman BA Hons., P.R. Cert. Executive Director