Spring has finally arrived and we’re ready to be outside. While walking or driving in your neighborhood or anywhere throughout New Jersey, you may encounter the Stop and Stay Stopped for Pedestrians sign. Some motorists and pedestrians know what the colorful sign posted in the crosswalk...
By Anne VivinoAre you up for a challenge?Distracted driving affects each and every one of us. It’s happening everyday on our roads, it’s the person in front of you, in back of you, and to either side of you…and dare I say it? Sometimes it is YOU and even ME!Distracted...
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but safe driving is a year-round necessity. The following smartphone apps can help you focus on the road and not on your phone. Try them out yourself to see which one is best for you..Textecution-available for AndroidIf you need your distractions...
TransOptions Can Even Help the Small WorkplaceIn mid-November, the small Pine Brook worksite of Samsung QA Lab America contacted TransOptions because staff members were exploring options to get to work in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. They already had staff who carpooled, but were searching for...
The announcement that Yahoo would shift away from their telework policy to require more in-office time spurred a national discussion. Soon after the Yahoo decision, Best Buy followed suit.As technology improvements make out-of-office communications seamless while arguably increasing productivity,...
As part of a package of 35 grants in New Jersey’s Local Aid Program totaling nearly $6.8 million, the Christie Administration has announced 25 federally funded Safe Routes to School Grants totaling $5.7 million for sidewalk, intersection, crosswalk and other improvements to help children...
Educating their employees on transportation alternatives as part of the business of caring. Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. Their world-class facilities feature state-of-the-art...
Volunteer with TransOptions at one of our Junior Solar Sprints races! Middle school students spend months designing, building and testing solar-powered model cars and the best of the best participate in TransOptions' races. There are several events spread out over the second and third weeks of May....
Congratulations to Shirley Stewart of AAA New Jersey Automobile Club in Florham Park who received a $50 gas card from TransOptions. Shirley’s name was selected in a drawing for participants in TransOptions’ Test Your Carpool I.Q. Quiz. The quiz tested commuters’ knowledge...
Realogy Plans Relocation Transportation planning as part of the big move! Realogy Holdings Corporation is a global leader in providing real estate, relocation, and title and settlement services. Brands and franchising include Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, CENTURY 21®, Coldwell...
State-Wide Employer Program Supports Sustainable Transportation It's FREE. It's prestigious. It says your company has know-how. What is New Jersey Smart Workplaces? NJ Smart Workplaces (NJSW) is a prestigious recognition earned by employers that offer sustainable commuter programs to their...
TransOptions will hold two Junior Solar Sprints workshops for teachers and mentors this month. On Monday, January 14, a workshop will be held at the Kingwood Elementary School, near Frenchtown (Hunterdon County), from noon to 4 p.m. On Wednesday, January 16, another workshop will be held at...
Looking for that last minute gift for your bike riding friend or loved one? Rent a NJ Transit Bike Locker!A NJ Transit bike locker will not only protect your bike commuter’s bike from being vandalized or stolen, but they are also a great way to keep your bike dry and protected during...
Winter is the season that tests our diving ability on challenging road conditions. Being prepared helps you stay safe.Follow these basic safety steps to keep this season safe for you and your passengers.Clean off your car entirely. It’s New Jersey Law!Remove all snow and ice from your...
By Anne VivinoOn Saturday, October 28, 2012, the news was everywhere that we must begin preparing for Hurricane Sandy. I had been watching the Weather Channel all morning and decided that I had better start making my grocery list of emergency items. As I was doing this, I decided to call the...
Hundreds of northwestern New Jersey pedestrians, from kids to seniors, were out and about during October for the second annual TransOptions’ Walk This Way Challenge. They walked at their own pace, when and where they chose, collectively logging over 8,000 miles. The free month-long event was...
Just Wild about that MAD Shuttle! Located in Morristown, The College of St. Elizabeth (CSE) was established by the Sisters of Charity in 1899 as the state's first four-year Catholic college for women and now includes impressive Continuing Education and Graduate programs for women and men, with...
Hurricane Sandy has created a variety of challenges for pedestrians. Many sidewalks and trails are strewn with debris making walking a challenge and potentially dangerous. Tree limbs and post-storm remnants are piling up on streets making it necessary to skirt around sidewalk obstacles until they...
While costumed children are trick-or-treating on Halloween, their risk of being injured by motorists is significantly greater than on other nights. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any...
Attention Walk this Way Challenge participants! You can still be eligible for prize drawings from this year's Challenge. You have until October 31, 2012 to qualify to win a $25 or $50 gift card by walking and logging your miles.Hundreds of northwest New Jersey commuters and residents, from kids to...
Fall ushers in changing road and driving conditions. Some safety tips to keep in mind:Daylight SavingsDaylight hours get shorter as we approach the end of daylight saving time on November 4, 2012. Be extra diligent of pedestrians and cyclists, especially in the morning and early evening when...
Going Carfree for a Day was the challenge presented to motorists by TransOptions during September. Commuters and residents alike were encouraged to use alternative transportation on a day of their choosing to honor World Carfree day that occurs annually on September 22nd. "This is such a great...
Over the last few months, we have highlighted three NJ Smart Workplaces, Avis Budget Group, Wyndham Worldwide, and Alcoa, employers who found it easy and beneficial to work with TransOptions and complete the New Jersey Smart Workplaces nomination form. Does your company conduct an Employee...
With the new transportation law, MAP-21, a new focus on performance measures was adopted. The US Department of Transportation has been tasked with developing standards on which to measure success. What measures do you think should be considered to track our performance?The DOT's website allows...
At their world headquarters in Parsippany, NJ, Avis Budget Group takes seriously their commitment to the environment. According to their 2012 Global Environmental Initiatives Report, significant efforts have been made to reduce, reuse and recycle to protect our natural resources. Part of that...
It is an exciting time of year with many new adventures on the horizon! Whether you have a student entering Kindergarten or off to college, it is always an emotional time. It is also a busy time, the traffic has returned, students are walking or biking to school, there are buses on the road and...
Look Twice. Save a Life.By Anne VivinoMotorcycle crashes are on the rise in Sussex County, with the latest crash and subsequent fatality, occurring last week in Frankford. While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, the majority of the previous crashes were between cars and...
TransOptions recently launched a program called Driving Safety for Mature Drivers. The purpose of the program is to inform and educate the aging drivers of Northwestern NJ. Some of the topics covered in this program are vision and hearing changes, night driving, fine-tuning driving habits, planning...
One big piece of the MAP-21 puzzle for organizations involved in bicycle and pedestrian programs is Transportation Alternatives. This new section combines existing biking and walking programs, Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails into one program. States can...
OverviewMAP-21, the latest transportation law passed by Congress, is a 27-month reauthorization bill. It authorizes the Highway Trust Fund and surface transportation programs at current funding levels through September 30, 2014.The $105 billion law consolidates the number of highway programs,...
New Jersey was awarded nearly $2.5 million in federal funding. $500,000 was issued to install identification signs along the seven designated New Jersey byways and nearly $300,000 was awarded to create pedestrian and bicycle linkages across Interstate 280 and its frontage streets in Orange.Not to...
If you've ever considered carpooling, now is the time. TransOptions is encouraging northwestern New Jersey commuters to try carpooling this fall by introducing a free incentive program, It Pays to Carpool. Three $100 gas cards will be awarded in a drawing for registered participants who carpool 15...
Alcoa Raises Sustainability BarThe Alcoa Power and Propulsion plant in Dover, NJ teamed up with the Alcoa Foundation and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) to launch Make an Impact on August 7th, 2012, an event featuring a presentation and activities for each shift of the...
TransOptions is challenging motorists to go “carfree” on a day of their choosing during September 2012 to honor Carfree Day.The northwest New Jersey Transportation Management Association is incenting commuters and residents to give up using their car for one day by hosting a "Go Carfree...
TransOptions is proud to announce its nomination of Pam Fischer, of Pam Fischer Consulting, for the National Safety Council’s Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award. Our colleague and friend, Pam has been working to prevent motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities on New Jersey roadways...
TransOptions Grows Ridership 20%Over 550 commuters in northwest New Jersey are riding to work in vanpools arranged by TransOptions. Ridership is up 20% in the last year in this financially attractive transportation option for a group of five or more co-workers traveling 30 miles or more each way....
The first Wednesday of every October, parents and students throughout America join millions around the world who are improving their health, their community and having a ton of fun by walking and biking to school together. There are a number of reasons why we should walk or bike to school. Walking...
"Bike Aboard" NJTransitWe have said it before and we’ll say it again: bikes and transit just seem to be made for each other. And now NJ Transit has made this exceptional relationship even stronger with their newly revised "Bike Aboard" program! Over the past year, NJ Transit and bike...
Summer brings sun, fun and increased recreational driving. Be certain your vehicle is ready for warm weather:Check the level and strength of the coolant. A low coolant level may allow your engine to overheat.Check the air conditioner.Make certain the air conditioner blows cold air. If not,...
Along with warmer temperatures, summer is the season for Air Quality Alert Days when high ground-level ozone (smog) is anticipated.Elevated ozone levels cause health problems, especially for children, senior citizens and people with respiratory diseases. It's wise to cut back on driving and...
MAP-21 Signed Into LawOn Friday, July 6, President Obama signed the new transportation bill, MAP-21, into law. His signature came 1,010 days after the previous transportation law, SAFETEA-LU, first expired. On a macro level, the legislation sets aside funding for transportation projects throughout...
Environmental Programs Manager Joseph Caravella was recently named President Elect for the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE). He will assume the duties of President of ANJEE July 1, 2013 and be responsible for running the organization and ANJEE's annual Environmental Education...
Be sure to visit www.100carsforgood.com on July 15 to vote for us! TransOptions is proud to have been selected as a finalist in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good Program. Toyota's 100 Cars for Good is a major, national philanthropy program in which the automaker is giving away 100 cars to 100...
Employer Spotlight: Wyndham Worldwide In May, Wyndham Worldwide corporate headquarters provided a Health and Wellness Fair to over 875 Parsippany-based employees and TransOptions was there! Hundreds of employees were made aware of TransOptions, our ridesharing program and the latest transit...
New Jersey is recognized as having one of the most progressive Graduated Driver License (GDL) laws in the nation. In fact, since the law took effect in 2001 there has been a 50% drop in fatalities involving teen drivers, but there is more that needs to be done. The New Jersey Teen Safe...
Ed, Mona and Paul know first-hand that carpooling reduces the cost and stress of commuting. Compliments of TransOptions, they each received a $100 gas card as the three raffle winners of It Pays to Carpool, TransOptions recently concluded carpool incentive program. If you’d like to find a...
Federal Transportation Bill Update Congress remains in negotiations over the transportation bill as the June 30 deadline looms. The current extension of SAFETEA-LU, the federal transportation bill, is set to expire at the end of the month. The highway bill funds road and transit projects and...
As increasing numbers of bicyclists and pedestrians enjoy getting out of the house during spring, TransOptions offers a reminder about safety laws and suggestions while sharing the road.Pedestrian Safety LawHave you seen this sign? Do you know that New Jersey Law requires motorists to stop and stay...
Over 200 people honored Earth Day by taking TransOptions' 2012 Green for a Day Survey. Participants pledged to complete earth-friendly and safety-related actions on a day of their choosing during the month of April.“Stop distracted driving” by not texting or using a hand held or hands...
TransOptions has been selected as one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program, a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving 100 cars to 100 non-profits over the course of 100 days. TransOptions was selected as a finalist from more than 4,000...
The Northwest New Jersey Bike to Work Challenge is a free, friendly competition where everyone from avid veteran commuters to newbies can get together to compete for prizes and bragging rights. That is because our big Champion Challenger prize winners compete through trips taken, not just miles...
Chatham Borough and Township residents can expect quieter streets during TransOptions' Walk and Bike to School week, April 23rd-27th. All six public schools will be encouraging students to arrive at school by means other than a family vehicle. The event is seen as a pollution-reducing...
$100 Gas Card Prizes Incents Commuters to Carpool There’s still time to join TransOptions’ carpool incentive program, It Pays to Carpool, and qualify to win a $100 gas card. It's free to join! Commuters working in northwestern New Jersey who join or start a carpool, and share...
"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children."- Ancient Indian Proverb Join TransOptions to celebrate the 42nd Earth Day, April 22, 2012, by taking our Green for a Day online pledge. Registered participants quality to win a $100 gas card at a...
New Jersey Smart Workplaces (NJSW) is a free, prestigious, state-wide employer recognition program sponsored annually in northwestern New Jersey by TransOptions. Last year, the ranks of qualified employers grew to 425. Would your company like to be part of this elite group? Employers earn the NJSW...
At the end of March, Congress passed a three-month extension of the gas tax and transportation programs. The Senate had passed a new two-year transportation bill (MAP-21), but the House did not bring that bill up for a vote. MAP-21, as passed by the Senate, would fund some $109 billion dollars in...
Gas prices may have you down, but TransOptions now has a great new way for you to find out just how much you can save by changing your commuting habits. TransOptions’ Cost Calculator only requires you to enter in a couple of pieces of information--your daily commute miles round trip, the...
There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is a free lunch program! TransOptions offers a smorgasbord of free, interesting, educational presentations to northwest New Jersey employers.Timely topics include Distracted Driving, Sharing the Road, Carpooling, Defensive Biking Skills and Cars...
After months of design and development, TransOptions unveils a new and more user-friendly website that is both functional and informational.The website was built by the New Jersey-based web design company Lform and includes a number of new customized features that will assist not only commuters,...
NEW Carpool Promotion Eases Pain at the Pump$100 Gas Card Prizes Incentivize Commuters to CarpoolTransOptions is helping commuters ease their "pain at the pump" by launching a carpool incentive program called It Pays to Carpool. Commuters who join or start a carpool and share a ride for 12 days...
Help Employers Choose New Jersey! Employers, realtors and developers know that relocating is costly, disruptive and time-consuming.TransOptions has just developed two free relocation guides to facilitate moving to or expanding within northwestern New Jersey. Employers Guide to Relocation As an...
Make a plan, chart a route and run several errands in one car trip. Trip chaining, or combining multiple errands into one trip, will save you gas, money and time. Trip chaining can even make communities better by helping to reduce traffic congestion and lowering the amount of carbon dioxide...
FREE State-Wide Employer Program Be Recognized for Supporting Sustainable Transportation What is NJ Smart Workplaces? NJ Smart Workplaces (NJSW) is a prestigious recognition earned by employers for offering outstanding commuter services to their employees. This free award program is...
Our 2nd annual Northwestern New Jersey Bike to Work Challenge is just around the corner! So mark your calendars and get your friends and coworkers ready because registration will open next month starting April 1st. Our FREE, friendly online competition is a great way to introduce your friends and...
It is very easy in the day-to-day of life to forget about or, rather, not acknowledge the risks involved in being on the road. Whether you are a driver, a pedestrian, a bicyclist or a motorcycle rider it is something we should never forget and we must remind ourselves every day! As drivers, we face...
TransOptions advocates for and implements programs that make walking and biking around our neighborhoods and schools fun, easy, safe and healthy for all students and families while reducing our reliance on cars. Below is a highlight of our recent accomplishments in the School District of the...
Join TransOptions to honor the 42nd Earth Day by taking our Green for a Day online pledge. We’re encouraging commuters, their friends and families to perform two earth-friendly, sustainable actions on any single day of their choosing during the month of April. Green for a Day participants...
A new transportation bill (MAP-21), which would fund some $109 billion dollars in transportation-related projects, has passed the Senate by a vote of 74-22. In the House, Speaker John Boehner has said that bringing the Senate bill up for a vote would be an option upon its passage in the upper...
The transit and commuter highway vehicle (vanpool) tax benefit, which allows transit users and vanpoolers to pay for commuting with pre-tax dollars, expired at the end of 2011. As a result, the transit benefit’s maximum pre-tax amount reverted back to $125 per month from $230 per month as of...
