Where
Vaughan, Ontario, and across the GTHA
Mode of Transport
Vanpool
Type of intervention
Set up and educational outreach
Project background
Alectra Incorporated was formed in 2017 with the merger of a group of utility companies situated across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The merger created uncertainty around the relocation of staff, which left many employees facing potentially longer commute times.
To mitigate staff retention and recruitment concerns, Alectra worked with pointA through the Smart Commute program in Vaughan, in partnership with other Smart Commute providers across the GTHA, to provide staff commuter support during the mergers and relocations.
Project goal
Alectra wanted to a viable, high occupancy, sustainable vehicle solution to get their staff comfortably to and from work that would complement and feed into its strong commitment to implementing strategies and initiatives to help protect the environment.
Project activities
The merger provided a great opportunity to leverage pointA’s expertise to promote sustainable transportation programs as employees were reconsidering their commutes and open to trying alternatives.
pointA developed a comprehensive commuter survey and used postal code mapping analysis to launch a pilot of 2 vanpools that expanded to 10 vehicles carrying 70 riders along 6 different routes in the Greater Toronto Area.
Results and achievements
Alectra now has Ontario’s largest vanpool program. The vans are owned by Alectra and users pay the ongoing cost of operation and maintenance, which is usually $60 – $110/month. During the day, the vans are made available for company use.
The program has also eliminated over 300 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year by taking employee personal vehicles off the roads during the morning and evening commutes.
