The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) recently celebrated over 200 Massachusetts businesses, colleges, and universities at the seventh annual Massachusetts Excellence in Commuter Options (ECO) Awards ceremony. Attendees were recognized for their efforts in promoting active, healthy, and sustainable travel options programs at their local worksites, including one in Watertown, MassDOT announceds.
The event, held at historic Fenway Park, brings together businesses and institutions from across the Commonwealth that provide innovative programs and resources to encourage employees to commute by public transit, carpool, vanpool, bicycling, walking, or teleworking.
“MassDOT is proud of the strides that employers are taking to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the Commonwealth,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Through partnerships with employers, we are able to provide information on available commuter transportation resources to a greater audience. Over time, we hope to see a continued increase in the number of individuals using alternative transportation options, and subsequently, a reduction in emissions from our transportation sector.”
In Massachusetts, the majority of greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector. Through implementing worksite-based programs for commuters, businesses and institutions can have an impact on changing transportation behavior that over time can reduce these emissions and improve our air quality.
In addition to the 200 employers recognized at this year’s ceremony, seven employers received a Spotlight Award for outstanding efforts in promoting commute options. Spotlight Award recipients include: Private Employers – E Ink, Billerica, and Athenahealth, Watertown; State, Federal, Government – Soldier’s Home, Holyoke; Healthcare Facility – Kindred Nursing and Rehab, Lee; Colleges and Universities – Northeastern University, Boston, and Salem State University, Salem; and Rising Star – Bedford Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bedford.
MassDOT hosts the ECO Awards ceremony, in collaboration with MassRIDES, the Statewide Travel Options Program and MassCommute, the Massachusetts Council of Transportation Management Associations. MassRIDES and MassCommute actively support over 750 employer partners and member organizations across the Commonwealth in an effort to reduce drive-alone trips.
The ECO Awards Ceremony is presented with sponsorships from Eastern Bank, WeDriveU, Enterprise RideShare, NuRide, Cell Signaling Technology, 128 Business Council, Charles River TMA, Transaction Associates, Commuter Benefit Solutions by Edenred, AECOM, Ride Systems, Lyft, and HubWay.
To see a full list of ECO Award winners, visit commute.com. Photos are available upon request.
For more information about the ECO Awards, visit commute.com/employer-options/eco-awards or email Rebecca.Cyr@dot.state.ma.us.
For transportation news and updates visit the MassDOT website, mass.gov/massdot, blog:mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on Twitter at twitter.com/massdot.
For more information about MassRIDES, the Statewide Travel Options Program, visit commute.com,facebook.com/massrides or follow MassRIDES on Twitter at twitter.com/massrides and Instagram at instagram.com/massrides.
For more information about MassCommute, the Massachusetts Transportation Management Associations, visit masscommute.com or follow MassCommute on Twitter at twitter.com/masscommute.
Interesting. I guess they missed how Athena Health has turned N. Beacon St. into its own parking lot after assuring the town it would provide enough interim parking for employees while they are building a huge garage. If that’s what it takes to win this award, imagine how bad the losers were?
And now they are spreading to other streets due to the construction happening at the North Beacon Bridge.