Back-to-school and back-to-work equals backed up traffic

BCAA suggests drivers consider options to reduce their emissions and road-related stress

BURNABY, BC, Sept. 3 /CNW/ - In communities throughout B.C., end-of-summer signals an increase in the number of cars on the road as kids return to school and grown-ups return to work. To avoid the post Labour Day commuter crunch, and help the environment too, BCAA suggests drivers explore different commuting choices like carpooling, public transit or cycling. For British Columbians who have no choice but to drive, changing their commuting schedule and planning better can help reduce their road-related stress and carbon footprint.

According to Statistics Canada, 79 per cent of work trips in B.C. are being made in cars. The average distance travelled between home and work is 6.5 kilometres, which has increased slightly since 2001. In the Vancouver region, the average round-trip commute to and from work is 67 minutes.

Recent statistics also indicate more British Columbians are taking public transit to get to work. The number of workers using public transit increased from 7.5 per cent in 2001 to 10.3 per cent in 2006. Among all Canadian provinces, B.C. experienced the biggest increase in the number of work trips made on transit.

BCAA recommends the following transportation alternatives for drivers who are considering putting the brakes on using their vehicle everyday:

• Share a ride or car pool. This option can provide a less stressful commute to work, free rein of the HOV lanes and a chance to meet new people. Check out rideshare databases such as www.ride-share.com to find a carpool partner. Even if you car pool just once or twice a week, you'll reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and save money.
• Use public transit. Taking the bus - or, in the Lower Mainland, SkyTrain, SeaBus or West Coast Express - can alleviate traffic-related stress, which can offset any extra time it may take you to get to and from work. Some companies may be eligible to offer employees discounted transit passes through the convenience of payroll deduction. If you don't have transit close by, consider driving to a Park and Ride location where you can leave your car and take transit the rest of the way.
• Cycle. Bicycle commuting may be more practical than you think and can save you money. Many public transit facilities are now bike-friendly and let you take your bike with you on buses and trains. Detailed maps outlining the network of bike routes are available from Translink and on many municipal websites
• Walk. It may not take as long as you think to walk to and from work. Most people can easily walk ¼ mile in 5 minutes. By avoiding traffic jams on the road, you may find it's quite efficient to get around on foot.

For drivers who need their cars everyday, BCAA recommends the following:

• Vary your commuting schedule. Talk to your employer about adopting more flexible work hours so that you're starting and finishing your work day either before or after peak rush hours. Some employers offer the choice of working longer shifts and fewer days overall which reduces the number of days you'd have to commute to work.
• Work from home if you can. If you can use today's technology to work from home pitch your employer on letting you telecommute one or more days a week. This will reduce the number of times you would have to drive to and from work.
• Identify alternate routes. Try mapping out an alternate route. It may not be the shortest distance but you may find it is less congested. This may result in less time idling in traffic and can reduce your stress.
• Know before you go. Pay close attention to travel and transit reports before you leave your home or office. You might be able to choose a less congested route.

About BCAA
BCAA is the largest organization of its kind in B.C., with over 100 years experience and gross annual sales of nearly $400 million from its membership and insurance businesses. In addition to providing best-in-class emergency road service, BCAA offers a range of North American road travel planning services. A BCAA Membership can be found in the wallets of over 780,000 British Columbians and in one-in-four B.C. households. BCAA has received national recognition for its home insurance customer service. And, for the past four years, BCAA has been named one the 50 Best Employers in Canada by international HR consultants Hewitt Associates and the Globe & Mail's Report on Business magazine. To learn more about BCAA's products, services and member advocacy, visit www.bcaa.com. For more information on the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation visit www.tsf-bcaa.com.

For further information:

or to request an interview, please contact:

Niela Melanio
BCAA Public Affairs Advisor
Office: 604-268-5342 (M-F between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Cell: 778-228-8859 (any time)
Email: [email protected]