In recognition of the recent 30th Earth Day celebration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Commute Connections.
Commute Connections, a federally funded program that began in 1994, encourages the use of alternative transportation, such as bus, rail, carpool, vanpool, walk or bicycle, and offers a Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) component for employee participants.
The GRH provides a taxi ride or car rental for any employee who has an emergency or unscheduled requirement to work overtime which prevents them from using their normal mode of alternative transportation to return home.
These features hope to improve the air quality and traffic congestion by reducing the number of vehicles one the roads and number of trips in the Atlanta region.
"EPA is pleased to offer this program that joins other programs and organizations in the effort to alleviate and prevent air pollution in the Atlanta region. We encourage other cities to support and join us in these efforts," said John H. Hankinson Jr., EPA regional administrator in Atlanta.
Employees must complete a registration form to qualify for the program benefits.
Application forms are available through the Internet at www.commuteconnections. com.
by Virginia Sutcliffe