Why Join?

The imperative to take action on congestion is high.

Seventy percent (70%) of our major highways in the Toronto area are congested during peak hours and Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation estimates that we will see a 55% increase in car travel by 2021.

Toronto’s central area alone sees over 100,000 in-bound trips in the morning rush. Despite the growth in car ownership and number of drivers, we have only seen a 4% change in these numbers from 1981 to 2001. This demonstrates that our road system is at capacity.

And it’s not going to get any better. Over the next 20-30 years, Toronto expects 100,000 new residents and 100,000 new jobs in the downtown core.

Benefits

Smart Commute plays an important role in addressing congestion and its effects. It also benefits property managers, businesses and employees in the following ways:

  • A more attractive workplace for potential recruits: in today’s competitive HR market, a company that provides flexibility and access to varied commute options is seen as a more attractive workplace. Similarly, property managers who offer Smart Commute programs are more attractive to potential tenants.
  • Better employee retention: studies suggest that employees who are pleased with their commutes are 10% more likely to remain with an employer, leading to savings for your company. Recruiting and training a new employee can cost between 50% and 150% of his or her annual salary.
  • Increased employee productivity: employees who use smart alternatives for their commute to work are more likely to arrive on time and be less stressed than those who drive alone.
  • Reduced parking requirements: less demand for employee parking will free up spots for customers and visitors and can potentially lead to reduced parking needs.
  • Public Profile: companies and property managers can strengthen greening programs, improve visibility and be seen as champions of sustainability by implementing Smart Commute programs onsite.
  • Better air quality: Smart Commute takes cars off the road, leading to fewer emissions of smog and climate change causing pollutants.
  • Less congestion: Fewer cars also mean less congestion – a significant concern in Toronto that causes billions of dollars in economic impact.