Commute Friendly WNC is a free workplace and campus certification program that encourages businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and colleges to take an active role in supporting multimodal employees, students, and visitors. It is a program that recognizes and celebrates those organizations that go the extra mile to promote ways of getting around our community that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. (That means carpooling, vanpooling, public transit, biking, walking, and even remote work!)

 The Commute Friendly WNC certification is both a recruitment tool and a bragging right. But it’s also a community of like-minded businesses, campuses, and organizations who care about making Western North Carolina a place where transportation is not a barrier to employment or education. And who believe every mode of transportation is an opportunity to connect and build the future we want.

This program is a perfect match for workplaces and universities that want to serve their people that have long commutes, car affordability issues, or limited parking options. It’s a great fit for organizations with underutilized amenities nearby, like bus routes and greenways. It’s also ideal for those with sustainability goals, or those who want to live, work, and play in a community with less traffic congestion and greater transportation equity.

Most importantly, there are great benefits for those who enroll. Participating workplaces and campuses unlock all of Go Mountain Commuting’s free programming, which includes:

·            An on-site assessment and multimodal consultation, which includes a deep dive on transportation resources available in the community

·            Creation of workplace or campus-specific commuter outreach materials

·            Creation of workplace or campus-specific commuter challenges

·            Promotion as a Commute Friendly Workplace or Campus

·            Bicycle Commuting 101 lunch & learns

·            Bus Ride-Along events for the workplace or campus

·            Grant-writing assistance for multimodal amenities (when available)

·            Personalized commute planning assistance for all employees and students

·            Tabling at workplace or campus events, or speaking at functions, by request

Learn more about these benefits on the Go Mountain website.

 Certification Requirements

Participating organizations can be certified at the Bronze, Silver, or Gold levels of commute friendliness, based on the amenities, infrastructure, incentives, benefits, and policies they have that support multimodal commuters.

To become certified, an organization has to (1) fill out the online application, (2) take part in the on-site assessment and consultation, (3) participate in an organization-wide commuter survey, and (4) promote the Commute Friendly WNC program on their storefront, through social media, or to other employers. Each certified organization will receive a free sign for its storefront!

Any organizations that apply but do not quite meet the qualifications for Bronze will receive an honorable mention. They will secure an on-site consultation on how to become more commuter-friendly, and gain access to Go Mountain Commuting’s programming.

All participating organizations must be in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, or Transylvania Counties.

Ready to learn more?

Organizations interested in learning more about certification are invited to attend a quarterly networking session. At these sessions, employers and campuses can engage in peer-to-peer learning, share success stories, and receive recognition for innovative approaches to supporting the challenges commuters face in our communities.

The first Commute Friendly WNC info session and program kickoff is scheduled for Monday, November 3rd from 12:30pm-2pm at the Land of Sky Regional Council (339 New Leicester Hwy #140, Asheville NC 28806). Lunch will be provided. Please share with your HR managers, sustainability representatives, transportation directors, presidents, or whomever at your organization would be most appropriate. Register for the event here.

Source: Land of Sky Regional Council.