Poll: majority of drivers would green their commute if employer provided incentives

May 22, 2014, Vancouver, B.C. – A poll released today found that 76 per cent of Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island residents who drive to work would be more likely to carpool, use transit or cycle if their employer offered incentives.

The poll, conducted by Insights West for Vancity, found that 47 per cent of drivers are more likely to take transit; 37 per cent are more likely to carpool; and 34 per cent would be more likely to cycle to work if there were bike lockers and shower facilities. Research also found that 72 per cent of drivers would take advantage of the opportunity to telecommute at least once per week.

Employee commuting can be a significant contributor to a company’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. In an effort to reduce its environmental impact, Vancity offers a variety of incentives to support employees in making greener commuting choices, including:

• discounted parking rate for carpool vehicles
• 20-per-cent reimbursement on monthly transit passes
• electric vehicle charging stations at head office
• options to telework from home or a nearby branch where requirements permit
• bike lockers and showers for employees at head office and at suitable branches
• carpooling app developed by Simon Fraser University for employees to find rides to work.

Vancity is promoting the incentives it offers during May as part of Green Your Commute Month, an awareness campaign to encourage employees to choose a more sustainable way of commuting to work.

Some of Vancity’s incentives and support for green commuting extend to its members. The Clean Air Vehicle Loan provides preferential loan rates for the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuel conversion systems. The credit union also provides financial support to organizations that offer sustainable commuting options, such as Modo The Car Co-op, Victoria Car Share, BEST Bicycle Valet and HUB: Your Cycling Connection.

Quotes:

Mario Canseco, Vice-President of Public Affairs, Insights West
“These numbers indicate that if employers offered these incentives we could see a significant reduction of cars on the road."

Ellen Pekeles, Senior Vice-President of Operations, Vancity
“As a values-based business, we have made environmental stewardship a top priority. Businesses must lead by example. If we’re not thinking about how our employees are getting to work, then we’re not measuring our true environmental footprint."

Additional available information:

• Insights West Vancity poll results snapshot and data tables
• Vancity's green products offering

About Vancity

Vancity is a values-based financial co-operative serving the needs of its more than 501,000 member-owners and their communities through 57 branches in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria and Squamish. As Canada’s largest community credit union, Vancity uses its $17.5 billion in assets to help improve the financial wellbeing of its members while at the same time helping to develop healthy, communities that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.

Tweet us @vancity and connect with us on Facebook.com/Vancity.

For more information:

T: 778-837-0394
mediarelations@vancity.com