What you can do

Living Sustainably

Transport

Where do I start?

You'll find many examples of clever ideas that businesses are using to re-think work-related transport.

The benefits for you and for the business are wide-ranging – from happier, healthier employees and increased productivity, to better environmental credentials and a greener company image.

Use and promote "active transport"

'Active transport' refers to walking, cycling and using public transport to get to and from work, or for work-related trips.

Active participation in a physical activity substantially reduces the risk of disease and ill-health, as well as providing stress relief and reduced environmental demands.

Walking or cycling, as stand-alone activities or in conjunction with public transport, is healthy and fun. A workplace focus on active transport can generate substantial benefits for both the workplace participants and workplace productivity.

Encourage staff to use transport alternatives, consider offering travel passes rather than car packaging, taxi vouchers or fleet vehicles.

Develop a plan

Speak with colleagues, discuss and investigate how "active transport" initiatives can be applied to commuting activities and workplace travel. Share experiences and work together to identify avenues for introducing and supporting alternative transport methods within the workplace.

Identify case studies and enlist management support to establish a workplace access plan or guide.

Access plans (also known as green transport plans, travel plans, green travel plans or travel for work plans) provide detailed information about travel options, in particular information on how to travel to a site or venue using sustainable transport options (walking, cycling and public transport).

Use the Energy Smart: "Producing and using Transport Access Guides" or the TravelSmart Employers Toolkit to design a transport plan and workplace education strategy to encourage staff to travel to, from and for work in a more sustainable fashion. Practical workshops are also run by the Roads and Traffic Authority to guide you on how to produce and take advantage of workplace access guides.

Discuss and brainstorm the feasibility of introducing other initiatives such as telecommuting, teleworking and car pooling. Introduce and integrate transport mobility management within standard business practices and workplace policies.

Identify a "champion" who could educate and motivate workplace participants. Enlist their support to initiate discussion and drive promotional activities such as information sessions and travel announcements.

Special events and group travel

Show off your green credentials and commitment to reducing car dependance by making workplace events accessible by bike, foot and public transport. Help attendees get there by promoting access methods, disseminating timetables and route maps.

If you're planning a substantial event, the RTA may be able to help you with traffic management planning.

Consider arranging group transport or car pools for group travel. Use the TravelSmart Special Events Planning Resource Kit to help you to develop an event access plan.