Belated congratulations to Home Federal Bank

Belated congratulations go out to Home Federal Bank, winners of the "How Many Can You Fit in a Fit" contest on May 8, 2008. They successfully squeezed 23 people into a Honda Fit during the event on Market Squaure. Photos of all competing teams can be viewed on the Smart Trips website at http://www.knoxsmarttrips.org/fitinfit.htm.

Smart Trips in the news!

WATE video on Mast General's program encouraging employees to use alternative transportation:
http://www.wate.com/Global/category.asp?C=21819&nav=menu7_2_1

News Sentinel article:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/may/25/more-commuters-take-alternative-route/

excerpt:
During Lynn Harrison's morning commute a couple of weeks ago, a 20-mph headwind made the trip more difficult than usual. While the wind didn't seem to bother the cars flying past, it added an extra 10 minutes of pedaling to her ride to the Mast General Store in downtown Knoxville.

In response to rising gas prices, Harrison and others are parking their cars and finding other ways to get to work. They're also joining programs such as Smart Trips, a program of the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization that promotes alternatives to driving alone. The program is sponsoring "Commuter Bucks," which rewards prizes to those who can show they've used alternative transportation to get to work.

Last year 392 people signed up to take part in Smart Trips, said Tina Rolen, program coordinator. This year 564 people are participating.

CNN.com looking for commute stories

"Do you fight your way through traffic each morning, even with gas prices surging to record levels? Do you bike to work, or use public transit? We want to see the sights and sounds of how you get to work. Document your daily travel schedule. (Drivers, please be careful not to distract yourself behind the wheel.) If you have a unique way of getting to work, please tell us about it. Send photos, video and audio to share the story of your commute."

http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=27556

Gas-saving tips

Seen on Gay St in downtown Knoxville...we especially like Tip #5!

Biking to Work

I have been riding my bike to work everyday since the beginning of the year and I love it. It's great to get a little exercise right before and after sitting at a desk for eight hours a day. I occasionally run into people I know during my commute, and because I'm not in a car I can stop and talk. It's a much less isolating way to travel. It's also a great way to learn just how nasty automobiles really are - you don't know how gross your exhaust is until you spend a few stop-and-go miles behind someone driving a car.

Obsessed with KAT!

I work at the UT Conference Center downtown. My husband, who worked on campus, used to drop me off in the morning and pick me up in the afternoon, paying the $28.00 monthly parking fee. However, he decided to retire in 2005, which left me on my own. Faced with $45.00 monthly parking garage fees, and those ridiculous gas prices, I decided to give KAT another try. I knew that KAT gave UT employees a generous discount on ride passes for the bus; I was delighted to find out just how much I saved. I can catch the 23-Fairmont/Millertown Pike bus less than two blocks from my house, and get off directly in front of my office building on Locust Street.

I’ve been riding ever since, and have become KAT's biggest fan. My husband says I’m obsessed, and maybe I am. I talk about it whenever anyone will listen. I feel so virtuous, walking past my gas-guzzling Buick Century in the early-morning dawn, and knowing I’m saving not only parking fees, but wear and tear on the car, gas money, AND the actual price of a bus ticket! Plus, I’m getting a little well-needed exercise. The entire year costs me about the same amount as two months parking garage. Who wouldn’t choose this route? And with Smart Trips' Emergency Ride Home Program, my last concern about this venue was removed.

KAT drivers are courteous and thoughtful, and the busses are always clean and comfortable. I’ve made several new friends, who tend to see me off the bus in the morning laughing and well-prepared to face my day. I have never been late, and I get home a bit earlier than when I was riding with my husband (he tended to get side-tracked . . . but KAT is always there on time!).

Carpool Your Way to Health!

I carpool with my friend to work and it’s great because, not only do we save gas and the environment but the rides pass by so much more quickly with the great company! We’ve also started going to the gym together at the same time so my carpool buddy has also become my workout buddy and a great friend! I feel healthier and happier all around! Thanks, Smart Trips!

Carpool Buddies

I am now carpooling twice a week with a work colleague, and as we've talked during our commute, I've gained a new friend!

Why I Love My Commute!

My first commute is a bus ride to campus. I typically take the #23, but if I am running late, I hop on the #22 Broadway or #31 Magnolia bus. I love riding KAT for several reasons. I avoid the stressful hunt for parking on campus, while at the same time saving money on both gas and parking. Most of all, I enjoy the company and conversations a ride on the KAT ensures.

My second commute is a four block walk to work. I love my short walk; it allows me time to reflect on the day ahead, or to meander and smell the flowers on the way home.

I lived all over Knoxville in attempt to shorten my daily commute. I initially started riding the #10 Cherokee Blvd. KAT to save my limited funds. Riding the bus became addictive for me; the Route 10 bus crew cemented my cost and earth saving habits with other loyal KAT riders. Before my last relocation, I frequented the all-around-town #90 and the graduate student bus of choice, the #50.

I believe in Environmentally Sustainable Transportation, which for me means finding a way to get to work, school and play without a causing a detriment to the environment, whether that be by bus, walk or bike ride. I love that very little of my budget turns into profits for oil companies. I love the sense of community and time for reflection I now have in place of my formerly stress-ridden solo drive. Most of all, I love doing my part to make the world a greener place. Thank you Smart Trips, for tracking my progress!

No parking hassles!

I used to ride the bus to work 25 years ago when I lived in Fountain City. It was very convenient because the bus went by my house, and the people were very friendly. I was very sad when a new job took me across town and I could not ride any longer. We have since moved to the Gibbs area and I am working at UT. Although the bus does not come to Gibbs, I was thrilled to learn about the Halls Express. I have just a 10 minute drive to Halls in the morning and then I can relax and enjoy the ride. The bus drops me off right in front of my building and I don’t have to pay parking fees on campus. Once again the people are great. I love not having to deal with the traffic and the high gas prices. I figure I am saving at least $1,500 a year by riding the bus to work. We would love to see more people taking the Halls Express – even if it is just 3 days a week, think how much YOU would save.

Saving money!

My wife and I have become a one-car couple. The main thing that has made that feasible for us is KAT. At various times, she drives me to the bus stop (5-minute trip), so she can have the car for the day for errands, shopping, doctor appointments (both hers and her mother's), etc.
Instead of dealing with rush-hour traffic for 25 minutes, I can "leave the driving to" KAT and get in some good reading during the commute.

In short, "smart tripping" has allowed me to eliminate one of our cars, reduce commuting costs, help the environment, reduce the hassle of commuting, and increase my reading time!

Great weight loss plan!

I started my commute via bicycle in August '07. I rode through the winter with the exception of a couple of extremely cold days (25 degrees and under). I have lost 50 pounds and am really feeling great. I can't wait to get back on the road at the end of the workday. And the ride home is never in a rush so I really get to enjoy it!

Riding the bus and carpooling to Oak Ridge

I've been riding KAT and carpooling from the Old City to Oak Ridge for about a year now and it's been great! I fill up my tank every other week instead of once a week and I only have to deal with traffic about once a week during my commute! The rest of the time someone else has the pleasure of navigating through the wonderful traffic snarls that can plague the lanes of I-40 on a frequent basis. It only takes a week or two to adjust to the new methods of commuting and with the Emergency Ride Home program, you're never stuck without a way home. It's great to be able to catch a nap or do a little reading during my commute and I don't get stressed out by driving anymore! I highly recommend that everyone at least try some form of alternative transportation and become better informed on what's the best way for you to reduce the stress and costs of your daily commute.

Biking to Work in Peace

I ride my bike to work nearly every day. I really enjoy getting out on the Third Creek Greenway as I'm riding in each morning and going home each day. That's something I probably wouldn't have the chance to do if I were driving my car to work every day. The greenway is beautiful, peaceful, and quite serene even though it isn't that far from some major roads. Riding my bike has also allowed my wife and me to get along fine with just one vehicle, even with a child at home. That saves us thousands of dollars each year. It has also been a great way to keep in shape. I don't need to go to the gym - I get my excercise as a regular part of my day.