AJAX, ON, Feb. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - Veridian Connections ("Veridian") has advanced from Silver to Gold status within the Smart Commute Workplace Program for its commitment to promoting and supporting sustainable travel options for its employees. The award marks the fifth consecutive year in a row the utility has achieved a Smart Commute Workplace designation level.
"Veridian takes great pride in being recognized for its earth-friendly business practices that are making a positive impact in the communities we serve," said Kyle Brown, Manager, Retailer Relations and Special Projects. "Employees have embraced our smart commute initiatives that are targeted at reducing the number of vehicles on the road and improving the air we breathe. Simple measures such as promotions to increase awareness, fun competitions and low cost incentives are encouraging employees to choose alternatives to commuting to and from work alone by car."
Last summer, hundreds of athletes and thousands of spectators flooded into Durham Region for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games. In the months leading up to the games, event organizers predicted a number of challenges, including traffic delays. Veridian worked closely with Smart Commute Durham to intensify its efforts to encourage employees to shift their usual travel habits and explore other options.
"Veridian has been a valuable member of Smart Commute Durham for a number of years, and continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to providing its employees with sustainable travel options," explains Sandra McEleney, Planner, Region of Durham and program contact for Smart Commute Durham. "The company has a number of successful programs to help its employees reduce their dependency on their vehicles, which in turn, helps build sustainable communities."
In recognition of Carpool Week, which runs February 1st to 7th, Veridian is encouraging staff to carpool to and from work. Participants that log at least one carpool trip during the week will have a chance to win one of three $500 VIA Rail vouchers or a $100 Pickering Town Centre gift card, courtesy of Smart Commute Durham.
Smart Commute is a program of Metrolinx and the municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The program helps anyone who is going from A to B explore and try out smart travel options such as walking, cycling, transit and carpooling. The goal is to ease gridlock while helping people and companies save time and money.
About Veridian Connections
Veridian Connections, serving more than 119,000 customers, is about to become the fifth largest municipally owned electric utility in Ontario after the merger of large utilities west of Toronto is completed. The City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Municipality of Clarington and the City of Belleville jointly own Veridian Corporation, the parent company to Veridian Connections. The utility has a successful history of effective growth through two mergers and five acquisitions, and now serves nine communities east and north of Toronto more efficiently than any other large non-contiguous utility on Ontario. Veridian has a keen focus on reliability, customer communication and helping to lower customers' electricity bills through the delivery of innovation conservation programs and reasonable rates. Veridian not only contributes to local communities through industry leading financial returns, but also helps build stronger communities through the support of youth, health, economic development, education, the arts, the environment and the disadvantaged. Industry leading employee programs, public safety and a focus on employee engagement has created an environment that has attracted six consecutive Canada's Greenest Employer awards and one Top GTA Employer award. Veridian has now diversified into renewable energy, and will be establishing other value added offerings for its customers.
SOURCE Veridian
Image with caption: "Veridian (CNW Group/Veridian)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160202_C5468_PHOTO_EN_611356.jpg
Chris Mace, Corporate Communications Representative, Veridian Connections Inc., 905-427-9870, extension 2218, Follow us on Twitter: @VeridianTweets
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