HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-12-017 - Travelwise Transportation Management Association1
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Staff Report
Infrastructure 5ervrces department
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REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: January 30, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director, Transportation Planning, 2374
PREPARED BY: Ronald Schirm, Supervisor of Crossing Guards, 2232
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards
DATE OF REPORT: January 6, 2012
REPORT NO.: INS-12-017
SUBJECT: TRAVELWISE TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
ASSOCIATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into the Travelwise Program Services
Agreement with the Region of Waterloo, the City of Cambridge, the City of Waterloo,
Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier
University, Open Text Corporation, the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada,
Hendry Coachlines Inc., Miller Thomson LLP and all other future Participating
Organizations, such agreement to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the Employers Acknowledgement
regarding the Travelwise program, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
In consultation with several partners, including the City, The Region of Waterloo has established
a Transportation Management Association (TMA) to assist large regionally based employers in
providing TDM services and programming. Members include significant regional employers
such as University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, RIM, Equitable Life, Open Text, The
Cities of Waterloo and Cambridge. By benefitting from buying services in bulk, membership in
the Travelwise TMA will allow the City to establish a number of Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) programs as specified in the Council approved TDM Plan at a reduced cost
to the City.
REPORT:
Transportation Management Associations (TMA) are becoming prevalent throughout North
America as a sustainable and cost effective method of offering TDM programming to both public
and private sector employers. The Victoria Transport Policy Institute TDM encyclopedia states
that:
"Transportation Management Associations (TMAs~ are non profit, member-controlled
organizations that provide transportation services in a particular area, stack as a commercial
district, mall, medical center or industrial park. They are generally pttblicprivate partyterships,
consistiytg primarily of area businesses ~~~ith local government strppoa•t.
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71VIAs provide af~ ir~stitz~tzonal f~ame~~~o~•k for TDM P~~o~anrs a»d set•vices. They at•e z~szially
n~o~•e cost effective than p~o~•ahas managed by individ~ral bzrs~j~esses. "
The Region of Waterloo has been working with partners, including the City, over the past year
developing the Travelwise TMA. By participating in the Travelwise TMA, full membership in the
Carpoolzone ride matching service, Guaranteed Ride Home service for employees and
participation in an enhanced Grand River Transit (GRT) monthly Corporate Bus Pass program
is made available at a reduced cost to the City.
The cost to the City annually for participating in the Travelwise TMA would be $4500 and
includes enrolment in Carpoolzone, Guaranteed Ride Home as well as an enhanced GRT
corporate Transit Pass program. Although the Region would house these programs the City's
TDM coordinator would be responsible for implementing, promoting and maintaining these
programs corporately.
The members of the Travelwise TMA benefit from what is essentially "bulk buying." Travelwise
is able to purchase and negotiate these services at a very substantial cost benefit to each
employer. For the City to enrol in Carpoolzone as a stand-alone employer would cost the
Corporation $3000 in start-up fees and an annual enrolment fee of about $3500. The
Guaranteed Ride Home service would cost a further $3,500 annually. Instead of a projected
annual cost of $7000 plus the $3000 start-up fee to provide these two services corporately the
City would pay $4500 and have access to the enhanced GRT corporate Transit Pass Program.
The City's TDM coordinator will be working closely with the Region to provide these services to
staff. The implementation, promotion and ultimate success of TDM programming for the
Corporation and the City, in terms of its goals for TDM, are the responsibility of the City. The
TDM coordinator will be responsible for the success of these programs at the corporate level.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Participation in the Travelwise TMA supports several elements of the Kitchener Strategic Plan
as well as the Council approved Transportation Demand Management Plan. The environment is
benefited with the potential reduction in single occupant vehicle trips. Efficient and effective
government is promoted with the cost savings identified in participation and finally, the people
plan is promoted as effective and efficient transportation alternatives are provided.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The annual cost of $4500 will be taken from the TDM Account.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The City worked closely with the Region of Waterloo and other corporate stakeholders in the
development of this TMA. The relationships developed during this process will greatly assist in
developing TDM programming for downtown businesses as well as the City as a whole.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
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