The Town of Halton Hills has earned North American recognition as a 2026 Best Workplace for Commuters (BWC), demonstrating exceptional leadership in sustainable transportation, employee well-being, and environmental stewardship. Located in the Regional Municipality of Halton, the Town of Halton Hills is being celebrated for its commitment to supporting employee commuting and environmental responsibility. By rejoining the Smart Commute program and investing in commuter-focused initiatives, the Town has shown what is possible when strategic planning and employee engagement come together. 

Sustainable Commuting Priorities 

The Town rejoined Smart Commute in 2023 with three community-driven objectives: 

  • Expand sustainable mobility for employees to improve health, connectivity, and environmental impact. 
  • Promote active transportation and carpooling initiatives. 
  • Simplify green travel through accessible, rewarding tools and support programs. 

Smart Commute Engagement 

Today, 61 Town employees use the Smart Commute tool, primarily to log carpooling trips. Participation continues to grow thanks to ongoing engagement efforts led by pointA and Town staff, including: 

  • Regular tabling events to help employees get started on the Smart Commute platform and find carpool matches. 
  • Seasonal Smart Commute campaigns including Bike Month, Smart Commute Month and Winter Commute Month featuring contests, prizes, and healthy workplace initiatives. 

These recurring touchpoints ensure that employees feel supported and motivated to consider sustainable transportation options and build new habits.  

Meeting and Exceeding the BWC Standard of Excellence 

The Town of Halton Hills achieved the BWC designation by implementing targeted commuter support that meets and exceeds the national standard of excellence set by the Centre for Urban Transportation at the University of South Florida.  Key components of their application included: 

1. Flexible Work Arrangements: A hybrid work policy that provides Town employees with flexibility, reduces commuting demand, and aligns with BWC’s core requirement. 

2. Active Transportation Amenities: Employees benefit from secured bike parking and cycling-friendly infrastructure such as bike repair stations, making active commuting more convenient and safer. 

3. Carpooling Incentives: The Town offers preferred carpool parking spots, ongoing carpool-matching support through the Smart Commute tool, and in-person carpool events. 

4. Electric Vehicle Support: On-site EV chargers encourage low-emission commuting options.   

5. TMA membership with Smart Commute: Membership in the Smart Commute program provides tools, engaging campaigns, and support to enable and sustain long-term behaviour change. 

6. Emergency Ride Home Program: As a required component of the BWC designation, this program reassures employees that they can rely on sustainable travel without fearing unexpected emergencies. 

Together, these benefits demonstrate a strong municipal commitment to reduce transportation emissions, improve employee well-being, and build a healthier community. 

A Model for Municipal Leadership in Sustainable Mobility 

The Town of Halton Hills’ achievement as a Best Workplace for Commuters reflects its proactive approach to sustainable mobility and its dedication to offering practical, accessible options for staff. By integrating infrastructure, engagement, and policy solutions, the Town has created an environment where employees feel empowered to choose sustainable modes of transportation.                                             

pointA proudly supports Halton Hills’ Smart Commute initiatives and commends the Town’s leadership in championing a sustainable, healthy future for its employees and community.