An Easy Undertaking with Big Environmental Benefits

With gas prices increasing exponentially, commuters are continually searching for cost effective ways to travel to work. Mass transit is one great option for saving gas while providing environmental benefits. Bruce Offord, the Southeast District’s (SED) Mobile Sources Consultant, came up with a program that would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and at the same time present his colleagues with an added incentive to take advantage of South Florida’s commuter rail service, the Tri-Rail which runs from Miami to West Palm Beach.

Following Governor Charlie Crist’s orders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Bruce submitted his proposal for a pilot program that would give employees the use of a state vehicle to drive from the Tri-Rail station in downtown West Palm Beach to the Southeast District (SED) office. With the approval from Tallahassee and support from Secretary Mike Sole and District Director Jack Long, the Tri-Rail pilot program is now up and running and providing alternative transportation for eight SED employees.

“I’m so glad to be a participant in the Tri-Rail pilot program. It’s easier on the environment, saves money and makes getting to work so much more accessible,” said Jowana Knight who commutes from south Miami.

In the first three weeks of the program, the SED Tri-Rail group reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 4,018 pounds and decreased mileage on the participants’ vehicles by 5,022 miles.

“We are extremely pleased with the way the Tri-Rail vanpool has functioned so far,” said SED Director Jack Long. “The assistance from the Palm Beach County Health Department has allowed us to safely park our van just walking distance from the train station, making it convenient for our employees to get to work.”

Currently each member of the Tri-Rail vanpool works a 10-hour, four-day workweek. The pilot program may expand as more employees realize its benefits and express an interest in participating in the vanpool. The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions is the ultimate goal and the SED will continue to look for other intuitive ways to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Photo caption: SED Tri-Rail vanpool: (top) Jowana Knight, Jane Wilson and Leigh-Ann Dawes (bottom): Holly Andreotta, Inger Hansen and Julie London. Not pictured: Lennon Anderson and Hubert Philoctete.