YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Filling Empty Seats By Tammy Jo Anderson Taft
Moving people takes a lot of resources. Fuel costs can be a large line item on any budget, regardless of the project or scope of work. Guam’s roads can take their toll on shocks, tires and increase the cost of any vehicle maintenance program. In addition to road quality, traffic congestion can quickly raise tempers and cause normal people to become angry drivers. All of these costs can quickly be cut with a little bit of coordination and social cooperation.The simple way to cut fuel and maintenance costs in half or even by two thirds is to fill the empty seats in every vehicle. Looking for ways to cut down on traffic congestion? The simple answer is to have fewer cars on the road. Some employers offer relaxed report and dismissal times to avoid traffic, but others may not have that luxury. Carpooling may be the answer. Studies show that carpooling can help employees feel less stress and have a more enjoyable work experience. Making new friends with your neighbors or coworkers can help people relax, rather than become angry during traffic congestion. I know it sounds simple, but the realities of filling empty seats in a vehicle can make us scoff at the idea. We think to ourselves, “I don’t have enough time to pick someone else up on my way to work,” or we convince ourselves it won’t work because there are groceries to be bought and children to drop off at school. It is understandable that everyone has his or her own schedule. The reality is our island is small. There is a high probability someone you work with or live near may have a schedule similar to yours. Although it takes a little coordination, carpooling quickly divides fuel cost, reduces wear and tear on vehicles and cuts emissions into the environment that contribute to our changing climate. It’s a win-win situation. So how can you make it happen?
Help Your Company Make It Happen Sharing is caring, but sometimes we need a little incentive. If you, or your employees, don’t carpool already, it may be time to do a little research about how to help them make it happen. Some companies already carpool because employees may or may not have a ride to work. For companies with a majority of people arriving to work at the same time in separate vehicles, a little extra incentive may be necessary. Some employers offer bonuses or monetary incentives to get employees to carpool. Others give extra leave or gifts if they promise to carpool and then do so. There are successful rideshare programs that have employees find a group of two to five people. Everyone in the group agrees to carpool together on a set number of days. Even if it is only one day a week, at least the group is cutting out extra vehicles on the road. The company then rewards the group as a whole to encourage continued carpooling. Employees don’t necessarily have to carpool with other coworkers. As long as there are people going to the same general area, carpooling works. Employers in the states also run vanpools. These are company vehicles that will pick up employees at a set time and place and drive them to work. The vanpool can either be free for the employee or offered at a minimal cost to cover fuel.
What If There Is No Way To Make It Work? Start out small. Try carpooling one day a week. See if it works. If not, think about real ways you can help reduce traffic congestion and your impact on the planet. Maybe you are in the market for a new car. Consider a hybrid if you are stuck in traffic on a frequent basis. If you can’t carpool to work, can you help your spouse or children share rides? Even if you have the disposable income to spend on extra fuel, why not plan a little better and save your cash for something more rewarding than filling up at the gas station. Driving everywhere kills your pocketbook and the earth. Take a few minutes this month to think outside of the box. Can your company share rides and reduce costs? Can your family ride in the same vehicle together instead of being individual drivers every day? Although carpooling requires flexibility, the positive impact on your pocketbook, Guam’s roads and the earth, make it worth it.
22 | OCTOBER2014
CONSTRUCTION NEWS BULLETIN
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