Summer 2015

T H E B L U E S K Y V I E WA P U B L I C A T I O N O F V A L L E Y M E T R O C O M M U T E S O L U T I O N S

No Drive-Thru Thursday: Avoid the drive-thru and go

inside to order your food, coffee or prescriptions. By doing this you will

reduce exhaust emissions.

Fuel After Dark Friday: Hot temperatures and gasoline fumes create

ground-level ozone. Reduce the effect and refuel your vehicle at night time.

Sweep It Up Saturday: Sweep your driveway, patio, deck, etc. instead of using

a leaf blower. Get some exercise and breathe in fresh air while you burn a few calories.

Sweep It Up Saturday: Sweep your driveway, patio, deck, etc. instead of using a leaf blower. Get some exercise and breathe in fresh air while you burn a few calories.

Learn more about air quality by viewing April’s recorded webinar, featuring guest speaker, Eric Massey, from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Learn about regulations, what’s being done to improve air quality and how the Trip Reduction Program is critical.

EXPERIENCED TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR SHEDS LIGHT ON PROMOTING

THE TRIP REDUCTION PROGRAM Every organization in the Trip Reduction Program (TRP) has a unique path for successfully

reaching its goals. Company size, location, resources and support are a few factors that affect

what incentives are offered and how the transportation coordinator manages the program.

Meet Vanessa Hartzog, HR Business Partner and Transportation Coordinator (TC), at Gestamp Solar Steel in

Surprise, AZ. Gestamp is an international group that specializes

in developing products to achieve safer and lighter vehicles,

thereby, reducing energy consumption and environmental

impact.

Ms. Hartzog joined Gestamp only a few months ago, but her

experience with the TRP spans over several years, as she

managed trip reduction programs for companies with 125, 350

and now 55 employees. “I’ve seen how TRP strategies and

participation vary with the different numbers of associates,”

explained Ms. Hartzog.

Vanessa Hartzog HR Business Partner and Transportation Coordinator Gestamp Solar Steel

“I joined the Gestamp team about 4 months ago and noticed that registered participants were

minimal. I was able to use my introduction to the company and our TRP annual survey as a way

to re-introduce the program. I revised the registration form and streamlined the commute

SUMMER OZONE SEASON April 1 marked the beginning of summer ozone season in Maricopa County, which means a higher risk for harmful ground-level ozone pollution. A High Pollution Advisory (HPA) will occur when air pollution is in danger of exceeding federal health standards. High levels of air pollutants, such as ozone and particulate matter, pose health risks.

You can help by:1. Signing up to receive HPA notices from Valley

Metro here.2. Posting an HPA in high traffic areas in the

workplace, such as the free dry-erase poster available from Valley Metro.

Clean Air Make More, Maricopa County’s initiative to promote cleaner air and healthier lives, offers ideas with the Commit to One Day program. Included are easy to follow tips for each day of the week so residents can do their part in reducing air pollution.

Which will you participate in?Cycle Sunday: Ride your bicycle to places you would normally drive your car. Get some fresh air and save some gas.

Alt Mode Monday: Utilize alternative modes of transportation, such as light rail, bus or vanpool.

Ride Together Tuesday: Carpool to as many locations as possible. Riding together decreases the amount of dust and emissions in the air.

Walk Somewhere Wednesday: Walk to nearby locations instead of driving. Increasing the number of steps you take will improve your health.

Learn more about air quality by viewing April’s recorded webinar, featuring guest speaker

Eric Massey from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Learn about regulations, what’s being done to improve air quality and how the Trip Reduction Program is critical.

SpotlightEXPERIENCED TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR SHEDS LIGHT ON PROMOTING THE TRIP REDUCTION PROGRAM Every organization in the Trip Reduction Program (TRP) has a unique path for successfully reaching its goals. Company size, location, resources and support are a few factors that affect what incentives are offered and how the transportation coordinator (TC) manages the program.Meet Vanessa Hartzog, HR Business Partner and TC at Gestamp Solar Steel in Surprise, AZ. Gestamp Arizona manufactures steel racking systems for utility scale solar projects.Ms. Hartzog joined Gestamp only a few months ago, but her experience with the TRP spans several years, as she managed trip reduction programs for companies with 125, 350 and now 55 employees. “I’ve seen how TRP strategies and participation vary with the different numbers of associates,” explained Ms. Hartzog. Promoting the Trip Reduction Program“I joined the Gestamp team about 4 months ago and noticed that registered participants were minimal. I was able to use my introduction to the company and our TRP Annual Survey as a way to re-introduce the program. I revised the registration form and streamlined the commute tracking method. Associates with email access received an email and electronic survey. Meanwhile, I held meetings with the associates without email. The face time allowed me to advertise the TRP and resulted in several people joining who already carpool. It also stirred up interest resulting in a few new alternative mode users (AMUs). I’ve found the best way to promote the TRP is to speak excitedly about the program and let people know why it’s important to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion. In addition, keeping things fresh by changing up the forms and bulletin boards gets the attention needed to get people talking about it,” Ms. Hartzog added. Overcoming ChallengesLike most TCs, Ms. Hartzog deals with challenges that come with the job. She explained, “There are a few challenges that we face, beginning with our small company size of approximately 55 employees. We also have three different start times and two types of schedules, so it can be difficult to find someone within the organization that lives close by and has the same schedule. Located in Surprise, we also face the challenge of limited public transit.”

There will likely be challenges that are within the TC’s control to change and some will not. Focus on what can be changed or overcome. Keys to Gaining Participation“I think a quick mention of the environmental impact followed up with the prize incentives is the most effective way to gain participation. Of course, speaking with excitement is key. It also helps to be in a group setting when talking about it and encouraging them to think of who they work with that lives close by. At that point, they immediately start talking to their neighbor about it and excitement builds.” These are great ideas shared by Ms. Hartzog. Being a Transportation Coordinator Ms. Hartzog gave us further insight into her primary role at Gestamp, “My role at Gestamp is the HR Business Partner. Being a small company, I touch everything possible within the HR and payroll realm. I am not currently an AMU. I was at my past company, but it’s been difficult to find someone that lives in the same general area and that has the same schedule.”Ms. Hartzog concluded with her favorite part of being involved with the TRP, “When I have been an AMU, I most enjoyed the cost savings in gas! My favorite part about being the TC at Gestamp is the ability to take on a creative project with updating a bulletin board or creating a new form. It is a nice change from my other work from time to time.My least favorite part of being a TC is having to explain to someone that rides a motorcycle why that doesn’t count for the program.” To search outside of an organization, Valley Metro offers ShareTheRide, a free commute-matching system, where registered users can track commutes, calculate savings, enter contests and more.

Vanessa Hartzog HR Business Partner and Transportation Coordinator, Gestamp Solar Steel

TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR (TC) WORKSHOPS TC workshops are a great venue to hear about current events provided by Valley Metro and the Trip Reduction Program. We encourage you to attend and network with other transportation coordinators in your area. For a schedule of upcoming TC workshops across the Valley, as well as webinars, click here.

INTRO TO TRP CLASSES IN PERSON AND ONLINE Valley Metro offers a free interactive workshop bi-monthly for new transportation coordinators (TCs) at our office in downtown Phoenix or anytime online. The class is designed to provide an overview of the Trip Reduction Program and explain your role as the TC. For details and to register, click here. Once the initial class is completed, other courses may be taken.

CONGRATULATIONS TO TRP COMPANIES WHO REACHED 60% TARGET Valley Metro and the Maricopa County Trip Reduction Program (TRP) would like to congratulate and recognize the TRP employers who have recently met or exceeded their drive-alone rate and/or miles traveled goals at one or more worksites. Click here For a list of the TRP employers who achieved the 60% drive-alone target.

BUY YOUR TRANSIT PASS BEFORE YOU BOARD AND SAVE Save time and money when you buy your pass before boarding the bus or light rail. There are more than 800 locations valleywide where you can purchase your pass. For a complete list of retail locations, along with the types of passes available and store hours, visit valleymetro.org.

The Blue Sky View newsletter is a publication of Valley Metro.

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CLEAN AIR CAMPAIGN SAVE THE DATE – OCTOBER 28 The 28th Annual Clean Air Campaign Awards and Luncheon will be held on Thursday, October 28 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge to honor those individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary efforts to improve the air quality in the Valley. Mark your calendars and consider nominating yourself or your organization!

SOLAR POWER AT LIGHT RAIL FACILITY A solar plant capable of generating 1.3 million kWh of energy annually, officially opened on Earth Day, April 22, at the Valley Metro light rail operations and maintenance facility in Phoenix. It is estimated to save the agency approximately 16 percent ($100,000 average per year) of the energy consumption at the facility while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Click here to read more.

10TH ANNUAL DUMP THE PUMP DAY IS JUNE 18 Join the national movement and Dump the Pump on Thursday, June 18! National Dump the Pump Day encourages people to ride public transportation (instead of driving) and save money. The latest American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Transit Savings Report shows that a two person household that downsizes to one car can save on average more than $9,569 a year! Click here to learn more.