Introduction

What is TDM? 

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is the application of strategies, policies, and programs to reduce traffic congestion while increasing the use of a variety of transportation options. goDCgo is the District of Columbia’s TDM program and your leading resource for transportation information and employer assistance. goDCgo is an initiative of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) that encourages the use of sustainable transportation with the goal of reducing drive alone travel by providing information to commuters, residents, and visitors about alternative travel choices in the District of Columbia and the surrounding area. 

 

Why is it important? 

According to its recently updated Comprehensive Plan, Bellevue plans to accommodate 35,000 additional housing units and 70,000 more jobs by 2044. To accommodate this population growth without increasing traffic congestion and the negative impact of traffic on our city’s air quality, the City is focused on improving the availability and use of transportation options other than driving alone. By enhancing access to sustainable transportation options at your company, you are helping to preserve and enhance the quality of life for the City's residents and commuters.

 

What is an Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC)? 

An Employee Transportation Coordinator, or ETC, is a representative from a company, organization, or agency that helps to oversee the organization’s commuter program and transportation initiatives. The ETC serves as the central point of contact for both employees and the contact between the business and the City. 

 

What are the benefits of being an ETC? 

As an ETC, you are a champion for helping to meet the commuting needs of your colleagues. The commuter benefits program will be as successful as you make it. You are supporting your organization’s sustainability goals and helping your colleagues make more informed travel decisions and understand the benefits and savings of utilizing sustainable transportation. As an ETC, you will also personally have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in your organization and grow your own skills in a variety of ways, including: 

• Interact with senior leadership
• Broaden your experience in corporate or organizational sustainability initiatives
• Enhance your marketing and communication skills
• Network with ETCs from other companies and other King County transportation stakeholders
• Provide services that enhance the health and productivity of your colleagues and your company
• Stay up to date with all the latest transportation information 

 

What is the responsibility of an ETC? 

• Develop or adhere to and manage/implement your company’s commuter & employee transportation benefits programs and promote them to your employees.
• Manage connecting rideshare partners and available non-SOV transit mode options to employees at your company.
• Act as your company’s liaison to Bellevue’s CTR Administrator, Alison Crosier, who will keep you updated and informed per CTR updates, promotions, programs, etc.
• Coordinate distribution & completion of biennial surveys & program reports to all employees at your worksite.
• Ensure your organization meets local TDM requirements in Bellevue

 

 

Become an ETC Star Recipient!

ETC Award Criteria:

• Attend all ETC Networking meetings within the 2025 phase timeline*
• Attend all classes offered by Choose Your Way Bellevue within the 2025 phase timeline*
• Participate in all promotional activities offered by COB or CYWB
• Complete the biannual CTR Survey within the deadlines specified. Timeline designated by the city with at least 50% response rate (even years).
• Complete the biannual CTR Program Report within the deadline specified by the city (odd years)
• Bonus Points: Attend and/or participate in external CTR and/or Transportation Demand Management (TDM) related forums and meetings (i.e., WSDOT: TDM Technical Committee and board of director meetings, Pudget Sound Regional Council TDM stakeholders meetings, Washington State Rideshare Organizational annual meeting, etc)

*If the primary company ETC cannot participate, a viable proxy will suffice

ETC Star Recipients Will Receive:

A special plaque with your name, a gift card, and a mention in various trade and local newsletters and papers. The first ETC Stars will be awarded in January 2026!

Understanding Your Organization’s Commuter Program

As an ETC, having a clear understanding of the commuter benefits offered to employees is key. In order to effectively communicate, promote, and enhance the program, you should be well versed in the options and policies related to your organization’s commuter benefits program.

 

Basics of a successful commuter program

• Offer Pre-Tax Benefits, allowing employees to save on commuting costs.
• Pay for or subsidize an ORCA Passport.
• Provide a safe location for employees who commute by bike to secure their bikes.
• Set up company policies for a compressed work week or flexible schedule to refer to when necessary.
• If applicable and possible, charge for daily parking.
• Offering carpoolers and vanpoolers priority parking spaces. 

 

Creating a TDM Plan 

A Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan guides your commuter benefits program. By developing a TDM Plan, your organization can identify the types of commuter benefits that will benefit your organization and your employees, and how to implement these programs. 

Simple steps to develop/implement a TDM Plan: 

1. Reach out to CYWB to get started 

2. Survey employees 

3. Craft your TDM Plan with help from CYWB

4. Implement the plan at your workplace

 

Promoting Your Program

CYWB offers complimentary customizable flyers to promote all the commuter benefits you offer to employees. We also highly encourage promoting your programs using a variety of strategies. 

 

Spread the News

For employees to participate, they need to know what is offered to them. Distribute information about the commuter benefit offerings, how they can sign up, and how they receive their benefit(s). 

Ideas for distribution include: 

• E-mail notification
• Post information on the company intranet site
• Include information in the company newsletter
• Host a brown bag luncheon webinar to educate employees 

 

Campaigns 

A great way to raise awareness about commuter benefits is to create a campaign. Using a campaign to launch adds a “fresh start” effect and allows for trial and error as employees work to make sustainable changes. Targeted outreach programs allow you to create that fresh start for your employees. 

Campaigns can be useful because: 

• Key messages are reinforced
• Great way to connect employees and build community
• They are fun!

 

Fairs and Events 

Hosting events can be a fun and engaging way to inform your co-workers about their transportation options. CYWB can host an event at your worksite to help your employees understand their options and make more informed travel choices. Transportation-related events can be an effective way to: 

• Demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and employee wellness
• Support those considering new commutes
• Expand enrollment in current programs
• Recognize those who already use sustainable options and reward them 

To take advantage of tabling events: 

• Submit a tabling request to CYWB by filling out the form.
• Put up flyers and send out an email notifying employees about the event.

 

Enrollment

Encourage your employees to sign up and make it easy for them! Employers should have their employees complete a participation form. The form should include the type of benefits they want and how much should be deducted from their income to pay for the benefit (if applicable). 

Tracking your program's participation can help your organization assess the effectiveness of your program and its offerings.

 

Rewards and Incentives

For ETCs who have the time and budget, incentives can be an effective way to encourage the adoption and continued use of sustainable transportation options. Reward types can vary, but even limited rewards and incentives can be successful in creating behavior change. Once your employees try sustainable transportation options, they will begin to understand the benefits to their pocketbook and stress level. Creating an incentive program can:

• Motivate employees to try new commutes.
• Sustain new commute behaviors until they become habitual.
• Reward dedicated employees who regularly use sustainable transportation options, creating a culture of recognition and appreciation.
• Demonstrate your business’s dedication to sustainability and wellness.

Your employees can participate in your organization's rewards program and the CYWB reward program for double the rewards!

 

Did You Know?!

Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) provides commuters who vanpool, carpool, bike, walk, or take transit with a FREE ride home when one of life’s unexpected emergencies arises. Commuters can use the free GRH benefit for personal emergencies and unscheduled overtime up to eight times (with an ORCA passport) or four times (if your building has Connect Bellevue as the building transportation coordinator and you are not covered by the ORCA GRH) per year.

Marketing HUB

Click on the image to be taken to the Marketing Hub!

 

Building the Case for TDM

Gaining management support for developing and implementing your sustainable transportation plan is key to its success. It is important to build the business case for TDM to management by explaining how expanding commuter benefits and supporting sustainable transportation options will help the organization stay compliant with the local ordinance, meet sustainability goals, and retain and recruit top talent.

 

Tips and Tricks

Here are some suggestions for winning management support:

• Be specific in what you are asking for and what the costs may be.

• If you are proposing a new policy, bring examples of what that might look like.

• Propose a potential timeline for the steps involved in creating and launching the program.

• Tailor your communications to the needs and challenges of your company and the results of your employee survey.

• Mention competing companies with similar programs.

• Demonstrate enthusiasm.

• Ask for feedback and suggestions.

• Invite the experts at CYWB to support your meeting with leadership to provide a comprehensive overview of commuter benefits.

• Secure a clear commitment to the project.

 

Follow Up

Once you’ve gotten management support, make the most of it!

• Publicly share in a meeting or memo.

• Take part in training or promotional events for your initiative.

• Participate in the program and lead by example.

• Monitor progress and report to management on your successes.

A big part of setting up your commuter benefits program and getting long-term support from management is determining how you will evaluate its success. Below are suggestions for program evaluation.

• Define tasks, responsibilities, and timescales across the relevant departments (e.g., facilities, human resources, corporate sustainability, senior management) to ensure the timely delivery of commute program goals. Establish a line of communication between the relevant parties (existing internal company channels or solicit recommendations from CYWB).

• Schedule regular internal check-ins between the internal team and CYWB employer services to discuss current challenges and identify any additional resources.

• Establish baseline data on employee commuting and track progress towards increasing the use of sustainable transportation options over time.

CYWB can support the evaluation of your organization’s commuter program to understand the return on investment better and provide recommendations to help improve your program over time

More Resources

Check out our business webinar on YouTube here.

Cascade Bicycle Club-Where to Ride
Resources on where to ride in Washington state, from recreational biking on trails to transportation biking through a city.

Resources for the tax credit: 

• A quick explanation of the credit: CTR Tax Credit 101
• The WA Department of Revenue's statement
• Where to apply: https://secure.dor.wa.gov/home/