Success Stories
Southlake Regional Health Centre is awarded for their environmental efforts
On November 17, Southlake Regional Health Centre received the 2009 Smart Commute Central York (SCCY) Employer of the Year Award. Hosted at Toronto’s Historic Distillery District, the third annual Smart Commute Awards acknowledges organizations that show environmental leadership and innovation within their communities.
With over 2300 staff, Southlake is one of Newmarket’s largest employers and a valued member of the Smart Commute program. The health centre is active in promoting cleaner ways of commuting by providing staff with incentives that include preferred parking for registered carpools, shared parking passes, and a safe and secure bike-parking area. Southlake also comprises one fifth of registered carpools on Smart Commute’s ride-matching program, www.carpoolzone.ca.
“Southlake is dedicated to providing their employees with alternative means of commuting to work, other than driving alone,” explains Doug Peters, Chair of the SCCY Advisory Board. “Their commitment to Smart Commute is a great example for the organizations in the community that are interested in promoting employee initiatives that will develop more efficient and active ways of commuting.”
“We are thrilled to have received this award,” says Southlake’s SCCY Champion Michael Koolhaas (left). “Southlake is a growing health centre and because of that, we realize that promoting a cleaner commute for our staff not only aids in reducing our carbon footprint, but is also an effective way of managing the organization’s multiplying numbers.”
How Can Carpooling Benefit You?
Carpooling is nothing new to The Regional Municipality of York. Since 2006, the Region has encouraged staff to carpool through the Smart Commute Central York program to save money, relieve traffic congestion and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. York Region employees have the added benefit of premium parking spots reserved for registered carpoolers at Regional buildings.
There are currently 45 York Region employee carpools operating!
Meet Mazy, Sarah, Daisy, Emily, and Amelia. They carpool together every day from Markham to Newmarket. With five members, not only are they Smart Commute - York Region's largest carpool, but one of its longest-running. They started out as two-person group in 2006, but quickly expanded. Emily joined the group this year by finding their carpool on Smart Commute's carpool matching website at www.carpoolzone.ca.
Members of this carpool take turns driving once a week. They all point to the cost saving as the biggest reason they keep carpooling.
Emily estimates she saves $8 to $10 on gas every day that she leaves her car at home, never mind the reduced wear and tear on her vehicle. If she keeps carpooling as long as her fellow riders have, she will save over $3,000!
When considering the many carpool advantages, the group cites premium parking spots as a close second to cost savings. They value the friendships they have formed along the way and also appreciate having the group's extra eyes on the road when they are in the driver's seat.
York Region employees and residents can all contribute to a sustainable future through easy and money-saving initiatives like carpooling.
Log on to www.carpoolzone.ca to find your carpool today.
Make new friends by carpooling
Mike tried out our free ride-matching website, www.carpoolzone.ca, and found success! Here is his success story:
“Less than two hours after registering online, the system found a perfect ride match. After connecting via email we decided to give it a try with an open outlook, both insisting that if we drove one another crazy we would sever our commuting relationship immediately. As it turned out we are similar in age and life circumstances so we actually get along well, providing each other with a voice to reason with, other than the radio!
The advantages and ease of use of this program are great and I strongly encourage others to give it a try:
- We’re saving money on gas and wear and tear on our vehicles.
- We’re decreasing the number of airborne pollutants.
- Most importantly, I have struck up a friendship with someone that I would have never otherwise met.”
Mike
Southlake Regional Health Center
