Research Triangle Park, N.C. – The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) will honor Durham County businesses that have excelled in promoting commuting alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle to their employees.  The Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday June 26 at a luncheon to be held at the Radisson Governor’s Inn in Research Triangle Park.

TTA administers the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Ordinance enacted by the Durham County Board of Commissioners in 1999.  The aim of CTR is to improve the quality of life by reducing traffic congestion, air pollution, and fuel consumption.  All companies in Durham employing 100 or more people are covered by the ordinance.  To achieve ordinance goals, employers develop programs that encourage employees who drive alone to work to consider alternatives modes such as buses, vanpools, carpools, biking or walking.  Some employers also elect to have telecommute options for some employees.

Ellen Reckhow, Chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners will be on hand to congratulate those employers meeting compliance standards and receiving awards. Reckhow also serves on the TTA Board of Directors and was a member of the committee that drafted the ordinance adopted by the Durham Board.

Winners will be announced in the following categories:

• Innovator Award – one each for the selected small, medium and large company
• Leadership Award – one each for the selected small, medium and large company
• Outstanding Employee Transportation Coordinator – One each for the selected small, medium, large company

All employers covered by the ordinance that met the prescribed standards will be recognized for their achievement.

“We are honoring those employers who recognize the importance of public transportation, ridesharing, teleworking, and biking to the quality of their employees’ lives,” said John Tallmadge, TTA Director of Commuter Resources.   “This is especially important with today’s gas prices, congestion levels, and urgency to address global warming,” Tallmadge added.

TTA is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit and vanpool services to North Carolina's Triangle Region and outlying counties. Regional bus and shuttle service is available to Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Hillsborough, RDU International Airport, Research Triangle Park and Raleigh.

The Triangle Transit Authority also provides commuter resources and hosts www.rideTTA.org and www.GoTriangle.org, on-line resources for public transportation information in the Triangle.  

For more information, visit www.rideTTA.org or call (919) 549-9999.