Go! Vermont Resources, Tips, and Tricks

Go! Vermont is a clearinghouse of resources and services to help increase carpooling and vanpooling and other smart transportation choices. Free program services include commute assessments, workplace consultations, guaranteed ride home, and free promotional resources. Learn more and get started by downloading (e.g., posters, logos, brochures and guides) at connectingcommuters.org

Education & Outreach: Transportation options vary depending on community context – walk/bike, transit, carsharing, car/vanpools and telecommuting. Try a multiple approaches to encourage access to efficient options. Use online resources, list serve, employer intranet, Front Porch Forum, and other means.

Promote Go! Vermont, via a $500 mini-grant. Eligible entities include volunteer groups, energy committees, Safe Routes to Schools coordinators, other community groups interested in encouraging everyone to travel green. https://www.connectingcommuters.org/community-resources/

Promote Way to Go! To School – Help promote Go! Vermont and Way to Go! to School, a K-12 Schools program designed to encourage faculty, staff and students to avoid solo driving and use more efficient transportation options (e.g., carpool, vanpool, transit, bike, walk and telecommute). Learn more at http://www.waytogovt.org/

Host a Bike Clinic—Learn more about great bike options including eAssist and Cargo style. Host a bike event. Contact: VBike vbikesolutions.org and Local Motion to partner with you and help organize a bike clinic in your community or at a business. Visit www.localmotion.org for more details.

Park and Rides – Assist in the development of a grant application to develop local park and rides for community use. Hinesburg and Corinth, VT are two towns succeeding at doing this. Each year, VTrans announces grant awards in mid-summer. Grant Program Guidelines and other info http://vtransengineering.vermont.gov/bureaus/mab/local-projects/parkandride

Improve Freight and Revive Passenger Rail Service—The Vermont Rail Council, VTrans and the Vermont Rail Action Network are working actively with others to return passenger rail. Learn more and get involved http://rail.vermont.gov/rail_council & http://www.railvermont.org

Support integrated land use and transportation planning, walkable communities (work with municipal staff and/or RPCs). Teaching location efficiency concepts to potential homebuyers and developers http://www.locationaffordability.info/lai.aspx Complete Streets programs are a good way to develop these options. http://www.ccrpcvt.org/transportation/completestreets/

Plug-in vehicles and Infrastructure – learn more, consider for next vehicle, municipal fleets, charging infrastructure (support, install), community demo events, connecting with renewable energy sources

Support transitioning from gas tax to other user fees to ensure sustainable funding for transportation needs and infrastructure health

Promote Go! Vermont–$500 Volunteer Committee Grants (details from Go! Vermont, Ross 802-828-5577) Also, “Health in All Policies” into transportation policies https://vtpha.wildapricot.org/Climate-Change

Think Globally and Act Locally Don’t wait, make a plan, conserve and be more efficient in your travel choices. Avoid driving alone. Live closer to Town, near your workplace and bus service.

How To Get Started With A Group Or Community

Check out the Way to Go! website www.waytogovt.org
Encourage folks to sign up for Go Vermont at www.connectingcommuters.org
Identify any volunteers that might want to help with this project.
Download helpful materials.
Identify upcoming events where you might have an information table (Way to Go! organizers and partners are ready to help you begin promotion in your community and workplace).
Identify businesses/ groups that you already have connections with to let them know about the Challenge. Ask employer representatives to visit the Way to Go! website and sign up their workplace (no fee or obligation, simply a pledge and commitment to encourage participation and receive recognition as well).
Set up meetings with their CEO’s and local leaders and introduce them to the program
Brainstorm ideas for tailoring outreach, education and promotional events to meet your needs
Plan your own on-site events and encourage others to do the same.
Track results and provide recognition
Call Way to Go! Commuter Challenge organizers for specific assistance.

Way to Go! Commuter Challenge, www.waytogovt.org