FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janice Campbell
Janicec@litm.org
Long Island Transportation Management, Inc.
(631) 777-7722

COUNTY EXECUTIVE SUOZZI COMMENDS WINNERS OF REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETITION

Winners Help Reduce 60,000-plus Vehicle-Trips Regionally

Mineola, June 11 - At ceremonies at Mineola Intermodal Center today Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi recognized 10 companies that have earned Regional Commuter Choice Awards for providing commuter benefits that help reduce traffic and air pollution and improve the quality of life for employees. This year's winners help eliminate nearly 16,000 air-polluting-vehicle-trips from Long Island highways every week. Brookhaven Laboratories received the New York metropolitan region's Leadership Award for exemplary, long-standing commute alternatives programs.

"Summer is here- the season when ozone levels are the highest and most dangerous - so it's important people understand the impact their transportation choices can have on air quality," said Suozzi, a staunch supporter and advocate of commute alternative programs. "Commute alternatives play a significant environmental role and even help employers attract and retain a high quality workforce."

The Long Island winners are:

The second annual Regional Commuter Choice Awards - a regional expansion of Environmental Protection Agency's Best Workplaces for Commuters - is sponsored by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council in collaboration with the Metropolitan Mobility Network. To qualify, employers in New York City, Long Island, Rockland, Westchester and Putnam Counties must demonstrate a commitment to getting employees to try alternatives to driving single occupancy vehicles to work such as car and vanpools, mass transit, bicycling and telecommuting.

"The Regional Commuter Choice awards give important recognition to employers that are committed to helping their employees find better, less stressful ways to get to work," said Joel Ettinger, NYMTC's Executive Director. "In addition, employees make a strong contribution to help reduce congestion and the pollution that comes from so many cars on our roads."

Motor vehicles on the road - even newer, cleaner models - still account for at least 25 percent of air-polluting emissions nationwide, according to the Federal Highway Administration. To help reverse the trend locally, some employers are taking an environmental lead by encouraging workers to rethink their transportation choices.

The typical "peak period" driver in a single occupancy vehicle burns an extra 28 gallons of gas per year getting caught in traffic jams, spewing tailpipe emissions and increasing their stress and commuting costs. But commuters who carpool or vanpool in the HOV lane, hop on the train or telecommute have a different story to tell.

The employees taking part in the commuter programs of this year's Regional Commuter Choice Award winners make 60,000 fewer car trips and save more than a million vehicle miles every week.

"Investing in a more environmentally-friendly commute to the workplace doesn't just make economic sense; it contributes to a better quality of life for employees, which profits everyone," said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator. "We hope this distinction encourages other companies to get on board. Better air quality due to less traffic congestion is an invaluable employee benefit."

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) ensures that those who live, work and travel in New York State have a safe, efficient, balanced and environmentally-sound transportation system. It coordinates and develops comprehensive transportation policy for the State and assists in the development and operation of transportation facilities and services for highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) is an association of governments and transportation providers, which serves as the metropolitan planning organization designated by the Governor of the State of New York and certified by the federal government for New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley. Contact NYMTC at (212) 383-7251.

The Metropolitan Mobility Network (MMN) is a consortium of metropolitan planning organizations to enhance the application of Transportation Demand Management measures in the tri-state NY-NJ-CT metropolitan New York region.

LITM. assists employers on Long Island with finding alternatives to drive-alone commuting in order to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. Contact LITM at 877-4COMMUTE (631-777-7722) or visit www.4commute.com for information