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Vanpools The new HOV 1 Caroline Karvonen – Leader, Environmental Office
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PowerStream Inc Energy company that distributes electricity and provides related services Serve more than 370,000 customers located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario Service area >850 km 2 with a population of approximately 1,000,000 More than 500 employees Over $1 billion in assets Second largest municipally-owned distribution company in Ontario
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Service Territory Locations of offices: Barrie Markham Vaughan (Head Office + other) 60 km Barrie Vaughan 25 km Vaughan Markham Primarily suburban areas, close to major highways
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What is a Vanpool Employer sponsored ‘carpool’ carrying up to 8 employees to and from work Vehicle provided by PowerStream Cost of operations and maintenance covered by participants Cost varies from $80/person/month to >$100 – depending on number of participants, fuel usage, road tolls (407) Automatically deducted from pay cheque 4
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Why a vanpool Office relocation/amalgamation 2008 – moved office from Markham to Vaughan 2010 – merged with Barrie Hydro Large number of staff commuting from farther distances Geographic concentration of those people Confirmed through Smart Commute survey Smart Commute North Toronto Vaughan instrumental in establishment
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History of vanpools # 20102 vans as a pilot – Markham Vaughan, Barrie Vaughan PowerStream merged with Barrie Hydro – more staff now commuting 60 km to office Vaughan. 1,2 2011Added 2 nd van Barrie Vaughan3 20122 vans from Barrie Markham4,5 2013launched Whitby Markham added 1 more from Barrie Markham6,7 2014Added van to Barrie Vaughan route. Launched new van from Uxbridge Markham (almost entirely participant driven) 8,9 9 vans now in operation
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Risk Management Have multiple trained drivers Obtain all driver abstracts from MTO Ensure only employees are transported – vehicles only used for commute and business purposes
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Risk Management All riders sign a ridership agreement Move to smaller vehicles – all vans will be Honda Odyssey (max 7 riders) Limit riders to 8 in a 9 passenger van this sustains a regular G license level
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Individual Benefits Reduced cost of fuel and parking Less wear and tear/depreciation on vehicle Lower insurance rates Less stress from not driving everyday Lower environmental footprint Part of a team
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Company Benefits Employee retention Employee engagement Wellness - Lessening stress from driving Media
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Some Stats Started with 16 people using vans 59 people use vanpools and +20 occasional riders that rent seats (via Outlook calendars) Each vanpool (on average) saves over 40 tCO 2 e/yr (~360 tCO 2 e/yr) Spurred growth of carpools, which in turn grew vanpool program
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Some issues… Collisions – minor invloving van + object (lamp post, underground garage pillar etc) Speeding – all fleet vehicles have GPS installed which we can access to track speeding and verify reported instances (i.e. customers notifying us via Twitter) Vanpool participant issues – people that consistently delay van departure
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Issues continued… “Free vehicle” – ensure that it is not used for commute/approved business Staff arriving early/leaving late – reports from Supervisors Vans that don’t start from an office – need to find community/business partners that will allow participants to leave vehicle for the day
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Starting a vanpool Best at companies that have a fleet Easier to manage ongoing maintenance Vehicle available for other purposes during the day Begins with survey to determine geographic concentrations of people – need at least 8 people to start discussions
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Getting started Meetings! Determine appropriate pickup area – satellite office location, carpool lots, plazas (gain permission if required) Pickup times Help determine logistics – but let the participants work it out Order vehicle Start a greener commute!
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Our vanpool future Ideally – more vans! Manage waitlists for permanent seats on several vans Minimal time spent on promotion - employees now provide me with a list of people for their van Included info in New Employee Orientation - increase in riders/temporary riders after these sessions Vanpool remains strong, and will hopefully grow
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Thank you More than happy to answer any questions: Caroline Karvonen Leader, Environmental Office PowerStream Inc. Caroline.karvonen@powerstream.ca 905-532-1057
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