commuting in the news

newsletters

commuting statistics

Contact:
Susan Meyer
845-364-3445

County Executive Vanderhoef Announces Winners of the 2008 Regional Commuter Choice Awards

County Executive�s Leadership Award goes to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

PEARL RIVER, NY – Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef today announced the winners of the 2008 Regional Commuter Choice Awards during the third annual event, held this year at the Pearl River Train Station.  Vanderhoef was joined by New York Metropolitan Transportation Council Executive Director Joel P. Ettinger to present Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University with the County Executive’s Leadership Award.  Winners of other awards included Dress Barn, Inc., the County of Rockland and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Vanderhoef said, “The employers honored here today are part of a public-private partnership whose efforts will help us meet the challenges ahead and ensure the future growth and prosperity of Rockland County.�
 
New York Metropolitan Transportation Council Executive Director Joel P. Ettinger said, “We applaud today’s winners and their efforts to provide their employees with options to help them ‘green’ their commute.  The more we can get people out of single occupancy vehicles and reduce congestion, the better for our environment.�

The employers were presented with awards recognizing their successful commute alternative programs that include car and vanpooling, pre-tax benefits, telecommuting, flex-time and bicycling. 

The 2008 Regional Commuter Choice Award winners for Rockland County are:

Leadership Award – For commuter benefit programs that make an important and significant contribution to the environment and economic health of Rockland County.

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University

Outstanding Achievement – For employers with a comprehensive commuter benefit program, a marketing plan and notable employee participation.

County of Rockland
Dress Barn, Inc.

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University

Innovator – For employers that have implemented a new or unique commuter benefit program within the last 12 months.

The Regional Commuter Choice Awards are coordinated annually by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council through the Metropolitan Mobility Network. The awards are given to employers in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties and New York City. The program, now in its third year, recognizes employers that offer commuter benefit programs that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

For more information about the 2008 Regional Commuter Choice Awards, including a list of last year’s winners, please visit www.nymtc.org.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) is an association of governments, transportation providers and environmental agencies that is a collaborative forum for regional transportation planning.  The NYMTC region includes New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley.  More information on the Metropolitan Planning Organization can be found at www.NYMTC.org

The Metropolitan Mobility Network (MMN) has been established by a consortium of metropolitan planning organizations to enhance the application of Transportation Demand Management in the tri-state metropolitan New York region.

MetroPool, Inc. assists employers in the lower Hudson Valley and Fairfield County, Connecticut with finding alternatives to drive-alone commuting in order to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.  Contact MetroPool at 1-800-346-3473 (1-800 FINDRIDE) or visit www.metropool.com for information.

###