BRATTLEBORO — Registration has begun for the seventh annual Way to Go! Commuter Challenge, which will take place May 16-20. This event encourages the use of healthier, more earth-friendly transportation, and less expensive alternatives to driving alone.
Everyone who commits to walk, bike, telecommute, carpool, take the bus or use any alternative to driving solo will receive free giveaways and be entered in multiple drawings to win various prizes.
Way To Go! will also award the “Carbon Cup” trophy to the community and business that demonstrate both strong participation and significant reductions in transportation emissions. As in past years, businesses and communities will compete head-to-head with others to see who can encourage the highest percentage of employees to walk, bike, telecommute, carpool or take the bus from May 16-20. The winning employers and communities will receive awards at a ceremony in June.
On May 20, the Brattleboro BeeLine bus service will offer a fare-free day.
The Brattleboro Energy Committee has been meeting with Brattleboro-area businesses, transportation providers and advocates since November 2010 to promote transportation alternatives during Way To Go week and year-round. Participants in this Way To Go Roundtable Group include World Learning, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Landmark College, the town of Brattleboro, Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, Omega Optical, New Chapter, Entergy, Brattleboro Food Co-op, Marlboro College Graduate Center, Connecticut River Transit, and the Windham Regional Commission.
Last year, in just one week, more than 3,000 Way to Go! participants saved an estimated 237,000 commuting miles, 206,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, and more than $39,000 in transportation expenses. The Vermont Energy Investment Corp, this year's Way To Go! host, has set an ambitious goal to try and save at least 500,000 pounds of transportation pollutants.
The weeklong event is designed to be easy and fun and encourages everyone to try an alternative way than driving alone every day. For more information on ridesharing and commuting, also visit the GoVermont website at www.connectingcommuters.org.
Watch the events page at www.waytogovt.org for more details on the awards ceremony and other special events.