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GREEN COMMUTE CHALLENGE
What Others Are Saying

Here's what participants are saying about their experience taking the Green Commute Challenge. Share your stories and comments, and we'll post them here.

2011 Participants

"I am a bus driver and ride my bicycle to work at 5 a.m., put my bike on the bus I drive (#51). When I get relieved at 10th & Main, I become a passenger, which takes me back home. Then when I return for my p.m. part, I catch #28 going to the garage to pick up my #28 bus, which gets relieved at 12th & Grand at 5:40 p.m. Then cross street to catch southbound #53 that takes me back home. Look, mom — no car. That's how I earn my bike/bus points. Never would have tried it if I hadn't joined KCATA's Green Commute Challenge team. I am a coach and enjoy helping my passengers think creatively."

Judy G.
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

"I started working for the city of Kansas City, Mo., five years ago last month. At first I just did the park-and-ride at 3rd and Grand to save parking fees. For over three years now, I walk from my house six blocks to the bus stop (in all kinds of weather). Even on days I come in later because of doctors' appointments I still park and ride. I enjoy the fresh air and not having to drive in rush-hour traffic."

Jerry W.
City of Kansas City, Mo.

"I've participated for several years, primarily by telecommuting and staying in for lunch. This year I decided to try to kick it up a notch and ride my bike to the bus.

While it's been really nice to save on the gas money, a big surprise to me has been how much less stress is involved in getting from point A to point B. I get to have a bike ride, and during the motorized portion of the commute, I don't have to pay a bit of attention to anything other than what music to play.

On nice days, I get on or off the bus farther from the closest stop so I can have a longer bike ride. And now that temps are going back down, I'm going to start riding the whole way home.

There have been a couple of weeks when I haven't had to drive to work at all. That was the best!

One note: If you are going to try biking or bike-to-bus commuting, panniers will really help. If you haven't used them before, practice. Your balance and center of gravity change as you add weight.

It takes some reasearch and trial-and-error to find a good route, but it is well worth it."

Anne C.
Sprint (Ericsson)

"In December 2004, I started a new job working in the city of Kansas City, Mo., Finance department. Though mid-winter, one of my first non-work tasks was to identify a possible bike route to City Hall from my home in Brookside. Come spring 2005, I was ready for my trek. I was very pleased that in the basement of City Hall were two lovely unused bike racks. In addition, right across the street was a new fitness club. I had the two essentials for a commuting cyclist, a place to store my bike and a place to take a shower. The routes in those early days were lonely, never another cyclist in sight. Occassionally I would see someone out walking their dog, but not very often. In 2008, I remember getting very excited meeting a fellow commuter on the way home from work one night. Now, six years and countless commutes later, the bike rack is crowded at City Hall. I regularly see fellow cycling commuters. It makes me smile to realize some other folks are sharing in my fun:)"

Mari R.
City of Kansas City, Mo.

2010 Participants

"The challenge has provided me with an opportunity to measure how much I am saving and contributing to a more sustainable cause. I have not driven my car since February, and I probably will be getting rid of it soon because I have learned to use alternative forms of transportation (I love the bike-n-bus)."

Steve O.
Green Commute Challenge Community Team

"During the challenge, I ran into a co-worker while riding the bus on one of the hottest days of the summer. She gave me a great tip about how to transfer to another route that drops me off practically at the front door of my office. Worth its weight in gold!"

Julie W.
Mid-America Regional Council

2009 Participants

"I can tell you that I have really enjoyed carpooling with two of my co-workers this month. We all live in the Northland within a few miles of each other and have chosen a convenient location to meet before work. We then take turns driving the rest of the way to work. It’s made the drive go by much faster. I can definitely see us continuing this in the future. It doesn’t work for us every day due to our schedules, but most days it’s convenient, fun and we learn more about each other. I’ve always cared about Planet Earth, and this is just one little way to make a difference "

Marina F.
Rees Masilionis Turley Architecture, LLC

"My carpool buddy (a.k.a my husband) and I enjoy not only lowering our carbon footprint but also the cost savings of ~$180 a month and the time we have to actually talk without being interupted by our 14-month-old little girl. Because once we are home, it's all about her all the time. The ridesharing cuts down on our carbon footprint and is a great cost saver. I've started taking the 'saved' gas money and putting it into our daughter's college fund. And if there is an emergency with our daughter at daycare, we have the assurance of the free ride home passes. That has been a big 'seller' and peace of mind that keeps us carpooling. So, for us, the commute challenge has been a win, win, win for our family."

Karen N.
Sprint

"I have enjoyed carpooling 2–3 days per week with a co-worker, along with telecommuting 2 days per week. I also stay in the office during lunch to further avoid unnecessary travel. I love the lower gasoline expense too!"

Audrey H.
Sprint

"Two days per week in August, I rode my motorcycle to work instead of driving my car. I also plan my errands before or after work to reduce the number of trips I have to make."

Karen H.
CVS/Caremark

"My daily bus rides are the quietest part of my day, it's my me time I can read or listen to my MP3 player without being called by my superhero name —'mommy.'"

Valerie
UMB

2008 Participants

"DLR Group employees were able to see firsthand how many miles we can save as carpoolers and bicyclists. We also formed closer relationships with our co-workers who live relatively close by carpooling together."

Penny R.
DLR Group

"Using the Commute Tracker feature is an eye opening experience. I've learned that it really does make a difference to car pool."

Stephanie
The Kansas City Star

"Competing in the Green Commute Challenge has helped us keep our sense of humor at work. It helped us gain a sense of team work and highlighted the importance of our everyday transportation choices on the community at large."

Danielle M.
City of Mission, Kan.

"We have gained a greater appreciation for how much our actions impact both our wallets and the environment. By making some small adjustments in our daily habits we saved money and reduced harmful pollutants. It wasn't that hard!!"

Cheryl V.
GE Money

"By competing in the Green Commute Challenge, I can actually see my positive impact on the environment, my gas expenses have decreased significantly, and I've realized the KC bus system can go anywhere I need to. It has been an enlightening experience for me and I intend to continue using alternative means of travel."

Zach S.
Rosemann & Associates, P.C.

"An added sense of how much we actually spend on fuel, its hard to notice until you see the savings."

Scott B.
Rosemann & Associates, P.C.

"I have gained the confidence to know if I did not have my own vehicle, it would not be the end of the world. I had no idea how accommodating and easy public transit can be with just a bit of pre planning. By riding the bus, not only am I saving gas and money, I actually have time to read books — it’s wonderful! "

Anne S.
Rosemann & Associates, P.C.

"I do believe that all of our team would be in agreement that we have made new friends and personally saved money!"

Casey W.
Americo

"PGAV's green team gained a new sense of cohesive purpose, and we individually met the challenge by encouraging each other to improve our team-mates and non-competing coworkers. It was exciting to see people who had not considered their impact make meaningful change in their personal habits, and rewarding for everyone to see a regular representation of the collective impact."

Jeremy K.
PGAV Architects

July 5–Aug. 26, 2011