Do your employees commute into your workplace via public transportation? Or maybe some are part of a vanpool? Perhaps you live in the city – do you like to walk or bike as a means of getting around? If any of these statements apply to you or your staff, then there is a new friendly commuter challenge that you can start promoting and participating in today!
On March 3, Commuter Connections in collaboration with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and goDCgo, launched the goDMV Commuter Competition as a fun new way to promote sustainable commuting habits for participants in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The challenge features over 40 employer participants who are competing, but individuals not tied to an employer are also encouraged to participate. The grand prize for the individual with the most sustainable trips logged will be awarded $500 in CommuterCash, which can then be redeemed for prizes such as SmarTrip credits, Capital Bikeshare credits, E-ZPass credits, and more.
In addition to work commutes, any sustainable non-commute trip taken earns credit for the challenge as well. Commuters will log their sustainable trips to climb the leaderboard and have the opportunity to win various exciting prizes such as cash rewards, gift cards, and more. The goDMV Commuter Competition will end on May 31 – individual participants can register for the challenge at any point prior to its conclusion and are encouraged to do so.
How do I register?
Participation in the goDMV Commuter Competition will require downloading the CommuterCash app available on the Apple App Store or Google Play. The app will prompt participants to create an account and provide them with the steps to participate in the challenge and begin logging sustainable trips upon completion.
What is a Sustainable Trip?
For the purpose of this challenge, a sustainable trip is considered to be any alternative to driving alone. Commuters will be able to log trips via public transportation such as bus or rail; active commutes such as biking, walking, or scootering; ridesharing like carpool or vanpool; and even telework. Upon joining the challenge, the app has the ability to show sustainability metrics, displaying the impacts of their trips logged.
Never too Late to Join!
Do not be discouraged that the challenge has already begun! While participants are competing to be first place on the leaderboard for sustainable trips logged, there are still several monthly prizes and achievements that participants will be able to attain regardless of when they entered the competition. There will be additional prizes for monthly challenges, achievements, and raffles that commuters will be eligible for regardless of when they began the challenge.
For those looking to take advantage of the wide variety of transportation options, ATP offers a helpful solution. Quick Glance guides provide easy-to-access transportation information tailored to specific locations and their surrounding areas. These guides offer details on the nearest Metrorail stations, including which lines serve them, as well as nearby transit options like ART and Metrobus stops.
In addition, Quick Glances highlight nearby Capital Bikeshare docks and carsharing locations for those looking for different commute methods. To make things even easier, guides include recommendations for useful tools like Carfreenearme.com, Google Maps, and ART Real-Time Arrivals, ensuring commuters can quickly find the most convenient transportation options based on their needs. Whether you are new to the area or just want to navigate more efficiently, these guides provide a streamlined way to get around.
How to Utilize Quick Glance Guides to Aid in Your Commute
If you are as excited about promoting this challenge as we are, then ATP can assist your employees with finding the best sustainable commute mode for them so that they can begin rising through the leaderboards. ATP is happy to host a transportation-themed event at your office to ensure that your employees are aware of all their options and have the best resources available.
Consider having your employees fill out a commute planner request to have a custom-made commute plan with several options created by an ATP Representative or you can refer to ATP’s Quick Glance guides for Arlington’s urban villages as a starting point. Either way, ATP is here to make sure that you and your employees succeed in the goDMV Commuter Competition. Let the games begin!