EPA recognizes UW-Madison as a top workplace for commuters

The broad range of transportation options available to commuters at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has landed the campus one of 12 national awards given this year for its commuter friendliness.

The Best Workplace for Commuters award, given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was presented at the American Public Transit Association’s Conference on Transportation and University Communities in East Lansing, Mich.

“We’ve been a national leader among universities in providing attractive options to driving alone and giving commuters an array of transportation options,” says Lance Lunsway, director of Transportation Services. “This award recognizes those efforts and the importance of making commuter-friendly alternatives available.”

The EPA requires award winners to provide significant subsidies for transit passes and other alternatives to driving alone and recognizes the importance of providing many commuter options. The agency also requires university membership in a local clean air group and that winners have at least 14 percent of employees who do not drive alone.

UW–Madison provides free Madison Metro bus passes to all faculty, staff and students, is a founding member of the Dane County Clean Air Coalition and has nearly half of faculty and staff and more than 90 percent of students using alternatives to driving alone.

Lunsway says he applauds the efforts of members of the campus community who use alternative transportation options.

According to Rob Kennedy, senior transportation planner for the university, officials are putting the finishing touches on a long-range transportation plan that proposes numerous improvements to pedestrian, bicycles and transit facilities and services in coming years.