|
Section 1, Chapter 2
What is an ETC
ETC Goals
Traits of a Great ETC
Sample Job Posting
Support Organizations for ETCs
The
Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) is by far the most important
ingredient for a successful Commute Solutions program. The ETC is
responsible for the coordination and promotion of transportation
programs, while also providing the motivation and individualized
encouragement needed for employees to take advantage of the programs.
What is an ETC?
An ETC is the person responsible for coordinating transportation-related
duties at a work site. The responsibilities include transportation
commuter programs such as
- Carpooling/Vanpooling
- Transit
- Bicycling
- Walking
- Parking Cash Out
Additionally, the ETC may be responsible
for programs that affect the number of workers coming to a site,
or the timing of their arrival, such as:
- Teleworking
- Flextime
- Compressed Work Weeks
- Staggered Shifts
And Finally, ETC duties may run the entire
gamut of transportation needs to cover such areas as:
- Parking Management
- On-Site Transportation (campus shuttles,
check-out vehicles, etc.)
- Fleet Management
Developing, managing and promoting these
programs requires a multitude of other skills and tasks, which will
be outlined in this manual.
But first, a bit of history on how the position
came about. The ETC position originated when it became apparent
that, just like health insurance, retirement plans and other perks,
employer-provided transportation incentives and coordination are
significant benefits to employees.
- Benefits to employees include:
- Saved money from reduced gas use, car
wear and insurance costs
- Better health from less (traffic-related)
stress and therefore, improved work productivity
- Flexibility in work hours provided by
some programs such as telework, flextime and compressed work weeks
- Tax-free benefits toward transit and vanpool
fees
- Access to work for those without personal
vehicles
- Knowledge that they are making a difference
for cleaner air and water, less traffic congestion and energy
conservation
- Additionally, employers benefit from:
- A happier, healthier and more productive
work force
- Reduced absenteeism
- Reduced need for parking and office space
in some instances, resulting in significant cost savings
- Savings from increasing employee benefits
while reducing employer payroll taxes
- Improved opportunities for employee retention
and recruiting
- Community recognition for their efforts
in improving air and water quality, as well as reducing traffic
congestion and energy use
Employers realized that to get the most of
these benefits, they needed a dedicated position to maximize the
potential, and thus, the ETC was born. In many instances, the ETC
position gained prominence when regulations forced employers to
be responsible for taking action. To address air quality problems,
several mandatory state and local "trip reduction" laws
emerged around the country. The laws set a threshold for who was
subject to the regulation (usually employers with 100 or more employees
in a nonattainment area) and mandated such actions as:
- Devoting time, resources and training
for an ETC
- Detailed travel surveys to assess commuting
behaviors and the numbers for each mode of travel
- Specific targets for reducing the number
of commuters driving alone to work
- Follow-up surveys and reporting requirements
to assess the employer's efforts
While several similar laws still exist, many
were abandoned in favor of voluntary efforts. For example, surveys
and reporting, and a brief requirement for ETC training, ended in
Houston in 1994. With voluntary action, the focus has switched to
educating employers about the benefits of using ETCs and Commute
Solutions programs.
While each strategy—mandatory and voluntary
trip reduction—has its merits, it is apparent that the most
successful Commute Solutions programs are those that have the support
of management working jointly with a dedicated champion (such as
an ETC) who is responsible for assisting with promotion and implementation.
All efforts in the Central Texas region are voluntary. Therefore,
this manual will not focus on minimum or specific requirements for
Commute Solutions programs, but instead will emphasize cost effective
techniques to continually grow and expand programs.
ETC
Goals
In a nutshell, the ultimate goal of an ETC should be to increase
the benefits of Commute Solutions programs.
For example, reduced parking costs from decreasing
the number of single occupant drivers bringing their car to work
could save an organization a significant amount of money, while
subsidized transit and vanpool fees for employees could provide
them with cost savings and other benefits.
Increased participation in Commute Solutions
programs is the key element to maximizing benefits. The more people
participating, the more the benefits, and vice versa.
Traits
of a Great ETC
A great ETC possesses (or works to develop) many of the following
traits:
- Effective techniques to communicate the
benefits of Commute Solutions
- Attention to detail
- A knack for planning and organizing programs
and events
- Effective speaking and presentation ability
- Marketing, public relations and writing
skills
- A desire to offer excellent customer service
to employees at all levels
- Motivational skills
- Ability to problem solve and mediate conflicts
between employees
- A sincere belief that Commute Solutions
efforts will improve the quality of life for their co-workers
and the community at large
While transportation professionals, such
as transportation/community planners and engineers, might seem like
suitable candidates for the position, skilled communicators and
planners from any field can excel at the job. A working knowledge
of transportation issues can be learned, while a natural talent
for motivating employees and promoting program benefits is inherently
invaluable. The following job posting outlines possible traits to
look for in a candidate.
Sample
Job Posting
Employee Transportation Coordinator needed for <TYPE OF BUSINESS>.
Responsibilities include developing, managing and promoting programs
for carpooling/vanpooling, transit, bicycling, teleworking (telecommuting)
and <INSERT ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS IF DESIRED>. Successful candidates
will be detail oriented, enthusiastic and willing to work one-on-one
with management and coworkers Marketing and event planning experience
are a plus, as is a general knowledge of alternative transportation
options and air quality/traffic congestion issues. A college degree
and/or experience in the fields of transportation, planning, communications
or project management is preferred. Priority consideration will
be given to an energetic candidate with a proven track record in
motivating employees. <INSERT INFORMATION ON PAY, RESUME SUBMITTAL,
ETC.>
Support Organizations
for ETCs
Tackling the duties as an ETC may be daunting, especially since
most potential candidates won't have previous experience specific
to this type of position. Fortunately, a variety of resources are
available to assist the coordinator:
The Commute Solutions Coalition
www.commutesolutions.com
General Info: info@commutesolutions.com
or 512.974.2778
Let's Ride Info: LetsRide@commutesolutions.com
or 512.974.3458
The Coalition can direct ETCs to resources for developing and promoting
programs from its member agencies. It also offers free ETC training
courses. For more information, see the Website or contact Commute
Solutions staff, officed at the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning
Organization, at the contact info above.
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(Capital Metro)
www.capmetro.org
512-389-7516
Capital Metro is a Commute Solutions Coalition member and also the
key agency involved in transit, vanpooling and carpooling for the
region. The agency offers assistance to employers in setting up
Commute Solutions programs, along with commuter fairs and mixers.
The Association for Commuter Transportation
(ACT)
www.actweb.org
202-393-3497
ACT is a nonprofit association that provides resources, research
and advocacy for Transportation Demand Management programs and issues.
It is governed by a national board and represented by several local/regional
chapters. ACT members benefit from conferences, publications and
other professional support. ACT also sponsors www.CommuterChoice.com, which provides additional resources
and service provider listings.
Transportation Management Organizations
(TMOs) & Transportation Management Associations (TMAs)
These nonprofit organizations provide many of the same services
as ETCs, either to help companies without designated ETCs, or to
supplement their efforts. Often, the services are offered to employers
in a specific area. Currently, Dallas and Houston are benefiting
from the utilization of TMOs/TMAs. The Central Texas Region does
not have any established.
|
