BRATTLEBORO — When the eighth annual Way to Go! Commuter Challenge kicked off on Monday, May 12, the Brattleboro Smart Commute team was ready.
Members of the Brattleboro Transportation Roundtable are participating with businesses, communities, and schools statewide to reduce commuting costs, pollution, and traffic.
Roundtable members include Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, Brattleboro Retreat, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Vermont Department of Health, Grace Cottage Hospital, Landmark College, Omega Optical Co., World Learning, Brattleboro Food Co-op, and Marlboro College Graduate Center.
Way to Go! commuters pledge to carpool, car share, telecommute, bike, walk, or take the bus to work or school during the week of May 12 to 16. In addition to reducing the impact of commuting on their wallets and on Vermont's air and roadways, participants can earn prizes - including the Carbon Cup award for businesses, communities, and schools with the highest percentage of Way to Go! commuters.
Organizers say this spring's challenge aims to top the results brought in by last year's participants, who saved a combined $48,500 at the pumps, drove 384,000 fewer miles, and kept 266,000 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air.
Way to Go! is designed to raise year-round awareness of transportation options by encouraging commuters to travel in ways other than driving alone.
Businesses, schools, and communities with the greatest percentage of participants will be recognized at an award ceremony in late June.
Way to Go! is supported by a network of 35 partner and sponsor organizations from around Vermont, including partner Vermont Energy Investment Corporation.