UNC-Chapel Hill was named to Best Workplaces for Commuters for 2019 by the National Center for Transit Research, making it more than fifteen consecutive years the University has received this designation. Carolina was one of 37 colleges and universities nationally and one of six in North Carolina to receive recognition for its employee transit program, the Commuter Alternative Program (CAP).
More than 9,700 employees commute to the University and UNC Hospitals by using transit, biking, walking or rideshare options. The Best Workplaces for Commuters program supports organizations who promote and provide other modes of transportation besides driving alone.
“UNC is committed to sustainability, and one way to be more eco-friendly is to reduce drive-alone trips to campus,” said Amanda Simmons, transportation demand manager for UNC-Chapel Hill. “Taking public transit, carpooling, bicycling and walking help reduce emissions and traffic to preserve beautiful greenspace for the community.”
Carolina provides commuter incentives for employees and students with the nationally recognized CAP, designed to reward people who travel to campus by bus, bike, ridesharing and walking. This year, Carolina was recognized in part for access to park-and-ride lots, vanpool options, telework and flex-time policies, as well as an employee commuting awards program, to name a few.
“This designation shows our continued dedication over the past 15 years to affordable and sustainable transportation options for our community and visitors,” said Brad Ives, associate vice chancellor for campus enterprises and chief sustainability officer. “I’m proud of how CAP partners with the Three Zeros Environmental Initiative to find ways for our employees and students to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while commuting to, from and around Carolina.”
Carolina is also recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists, which recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bikeable campus for students, staff and visitors. In December, UNC-Chapel Hill received Silver Status from the League of American Bicyclists.
Learn more about healthy and sustainable transportation options provided by CAP at cap.unc.edu. Learn more about the Triangle office of the Best Workplace for Commuters, of which UNC-Chapel Hill is a member.