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The Smart Commuter is You!
Why Smart Commute?
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Public transit is a great way to commute to work. |
We all want an easier commute to work and home with
less stress and traffic congestion. We also want a better environment with
less traffic noise and cleaner air to breathe. And we can have this if we
commute the smart way.
Smart Commute 404-7 is a transportation
management association (TMA) between the Richmond Hill Chamber of
Commerce and the Markham Board of Trade, supported by the Regional
Municipality of York, the Towns of Markham and Richmond Hill, the
provincial and federal governments and the businesses of the two
communities. The association promotes and facilitates "smart" commuting methods.
What We Mean by "Smart Commute"
There are lots of choices so try a few and see which one suits you best.
Smart commuting can include walking to and from work ... with your
doctor's ok, of course ... running, rollerblading and biking. Less
strenuous examples include taking public transit, carpooling, working
flexible hours or compressed work weeks, teleworking, or working from
home ... even electric bicycling is now permitted on roads, etc. where traditional
bicycles are already authorized ... if helmets are worn (fines for not
wearing a helmet are substantial for electric bike riders).
You may even want to combine a few commute options such as cycling to work
in the summer and taking public transit in the winter or carpooling to
work and then using public transit for the commute home. However you
decide to smart commute we’re certain you’ll like it better than fighting
traffic twice a day!
Smart Commute - the "Way of the Future"
Being a smart commuter can give you a better work-life
balance plus leave a little more of your pay cheque in your pocket ...
Quite simply, it’s what
people like you are doing to combat the stress, fatigue, cost and hassle
of driving to work every day. When you smart commute you think about what
is best for you – and for the environment. Then, you make a change.
Traffic congestion is reduced and everyone benefits ... including
our future commuters. It's up to you to make it happen!
Why You Should Smart Commute
1. Lower Your Stress
Being stuck in traffic and being late for work can stress you out before
you even start your work day! It’s not easy to stay calm when you can’t
control the weather or road conditions. Instead of feeling stuck behind
the wheel you can Smart Commute and improve your health.
2. Save Your Money
According to the Canadian Automobile Association, a commuter who
drives a late-model car and travels 25 km to work will spend about $8,150
a year in ownership and operating costs. Smart Commute options could save
you a chunk of this money. Imagine what some extra cash could mean to you
and your family!
3. Find More Time
When you drive to and from work you’re losing time. Even driving 30
minutes each way adds up to 6 work weeks a year! Think of what people
relaxing on a public transit bus and train are doing while you drive …
making out a grocery list, reading a newspaper, having a power nap or
simply getting home sooner!
4. Breathe Easier
Fewer vehicles on the road means less air pollution. Bad air quality,
especially in the hot summer months, is dangerous for children, the
elderly and asthmatics. Consider how much easier you’ll breathe when you
exercise your lungs walking or biking to work.
Take the Commuter
Quiz!
Are you ready to Smart Commute? Answer “yes” or “no”
to these questions:
1. Is driving to work costing you more each year?
2. Do you find the drive to work is getting more stressful?
3. Are you sometimes late for work because of traffic delays?
4. Does it take you longer to get to work now than it did a few years ago?
5. Are you spending more time in your car than with your family and
friends?
6. Would you like a less expensive and less stressful way to get to work?
Scoring: For each “yes” answer, score 5 points.
Your Score:
20 – 30 You are definitely ready to leave your car at home and enjoy a
Smart Commute.
15 – 20 You are almost ready to consider Smart Commute options; we’ll give
you a few more years of battling traffic to convince you there are better
ways to go.
< 15 (less than 15) ...
You are a die-hard SOVD – single occupant vehicle driver – with lots
of time and money to spend on the daily commute.
Smart Commute Choices
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Public transit offers commuters comfortable
and reliable transportation |
Walking,
Running, Rollerblading
Did you knowCommuting by walking that most people can easily walk ¼ mile in 5 minutes? It may
not take as long as you think to walk to and from work. And, walking is
recommended the most as a safe exercise for all types of people. Speed it
up if that’s your style – with running or rollerblading. Whichever way you
move your feet, you will be healthier. You might also be pleasantly
surprised at the fun and interesting view of the city from the ground!
Biking
Riding a bike to work is another fun way to get exercise and see the city
in a new way. There are many bike trails throughout York Region so you can
avoid some of our busiest streets. The Region has a pedestrian and cycling
master plan for fitness and fun commuting. Many companies provide bike racks.
Cycling is great for trips up to 10 km each way. It’s often faster to bike
than to drive if you’re only going 5 km.
YRT &
VIVA Bus,
GO Train
York Region’s public transit system can connect you to wherever you want to go! It’s a smart alternative to driving as it lets you read, relax, and let’s someone else do the driving. Discounted monthly passes and tickets make public transit a practical financial choice.
York Region Transit (YRT)/Viva and GO Transit are the two services available. YRT/Viva operates over 80 bus routes across the nine municipalities in York Region. By paying a single fare, you can hop on and off YRT/Viva for up to two hours in any direction. And for just 50 cents, you can take YRT/Viva services to GO Train stations.
Viva is York Region’s rapid transit system and since its launch in September 2005, Phase 1 of this project has been a success. Viva Phase 2 will truly put the “rapid” into rapid transit with brand new centre-of-the-road lanes dedicated to public transit being built on Yonge Street and Highway 7. This will allow Viva vehicles to cut through busy, congested traffic in their own “rapidways”, getting riders to their destinations significantly faster. Construction in select locations is scheduled to begin in June 2007.
For more information, contact YRT/Viva (www.yrt.ca or 1-866-668-3978) or GO Transit (www.gotransit.com
or 1-888-438-6646).
Share a Ride
Commuting in a car or van with several others can be a convenient and
enjoyable way to travel. Sometimes you can find a neighbour that works in
the same place as you – or near enough to make a drop-off on the way by!
We can even match you up with a group that is sharing rides in your
neighbourhood.
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Find a
carpool
You can access our ride matching site by clicking on our Carpool Zone
logo.
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Work
Flexible Hours
A good way to avoid the morning and afternoon traffic rush hour is to
start or finish your job at a different time than everyone else. You may
be able to arrange with your employer for an early or late start. If your
job is flexible, consider traveling to work at non-peak times.
Work A Compressed Week
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a long weekend every week! Some employers
offer you the choice of working longer shifts, and less days overall. This
compresses your normal workweek into fewer days – and means you’ll be
traveling to and from work less often.
Work from
Home
Computer technology means you can “virtually” work from anywhere. If
you spend just one or two days a week working from home, you won’t have to
commute as often. Your employer may be happy to free up office and parking
space as well. Both of you may find this an attractive option.
Cost of Car Ownership
If you’re still not convinced that smart commuting is
worthwhile take a look at what it’s costing you to drive yourself to work
each day. Owning a car costs more money than the purchase price on the
window. After purchase, there are additional fees to drive and maintain
your vehicle.
To figure out roughly what it costs you to drive to
work, use the average costs from the following charts to fill in the
spaces in the calculation chart. For detailed information, contact the
Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) for their Driving Costs
brochure.
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Average Annual
Vehicle Operating Costs per Kilometer
(based on 18,000 km driven annually) |
| Operating Costs |
Average per Km |
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Cavalier Z24 |
Caravan |
| Fuel* |
9.83 ¢ |
11.44 ¢ |
| Maintenance |
2.59 ¢ |
3.01 ¢ |
| Tires |
1.65 ¢ |
1.43 ¢ |
| Total |
14.07 ¢ |
15.88 ¢ |
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| Total per annum |
$ 2,532.60 |
$ 2,858.40 |
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* Gasoline costs are based on $1.00 per litre, no-lead, regular grade, self-service. |
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Average Annual Vehicle Ownership Costs
(based on 18,000 km driven annually) |
| Ownership |
Costs per Year |
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Cavalier Z24 |
Caravan |
| Insurance* |
$1,618.00 |
$1,496.00 |
| License & Registration |
$114.00 |
$116.00 |
| Depreciation** |
$4,370.00 |
$4,762.00 |
| Financing (loan)*** |
$891.00 |
$1,104.00 |
| Fuel, Maintenance, Tires
(see above) |
$2,532.60 |
$2,858.40 |
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| Total |
$9,525.60 |
$10,336.40 |
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*Vehicle driven
less than 16 km/day, to/from work, no young driver, $250
deductible comprehensive, $500 deductible collision,
$1,000,000 third party liability.
** Mileage in excess of 18,000 km add $135/1000 km for
Cavalier and
$113/1000 km for Caravan.
*** Based on 7.25% interest, 10% down, 4-year loan. |
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| Do YOUR Commuting
Expenses Match Those Above? |
| Calculate Your Annual Vehicle Expenses: |
| Annual mileage __________ km |
Operating Costs
(cost per km x annual mileage = total annual cost) |
| Fuel Cost |
$
/km x
km = |
$
|
| Maintenance Cost |
$
/km x
km = |
$
|
| Tire Cost |
$
/km x
km = |
$
|
| Sub-Total Cost |
$
|
| Ownership Costs |
| Insurance |
$
|
| License & Registration
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$
|
| Depreciation
|
$
|
| Financing |
$
|
| Sub-Total Cost
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$
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| Total Cost (operating +
ownership) |
$
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Take the Next Step…
Markham Board of Trade
Basil Marcello
Assistant Manager,
Smart Commute 404-7
80F Centurian Dr. Ste. 206
Markham, ON L3R 8C1
Tel: 905 474-0730 ext. 14
Fax: 905 474-0685
Email: bmarcello@smartcommute404-7.ca
Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce
Paul Bradbury
Commuter Options Advisor,
Smart Commute 404-7
376 Church Street South
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 9V8
Tel: 905-884-1961 ext. 24
Fax: 905-884-1962
Email: pbradbury@smartcommute404-7.ca
Smart
Commute 404-7
George Flint
Manager,
Smart Commute 404-7
PO Box 300
225 East Beaver Creek
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 4Y5
Tel: (905) 771-2455
Email:
gflint@smartcommute404-7.ca
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