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U.S. Congressmen Joe Sestak (D – 7 th District) and Jim Gerlach (R – 6 th District) participated in a special forum on May 24 about traffic congestion, public transit, alternative fuels and funding for transportation projects in the region. The forum, hosted by the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC), was held at the Sheraton Great Valley Hotel in Frazer. Tom Tillett, District Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Joe Pitts (R – 16 th District), also participated. Congressman Sestak, who won the Democratic nomination for Senate a week prior to the TMACC forum, said transportation issues were raised during the campaign. He is concerned about the impact of tolling on small businesses. Sestak said he did not support the state’s proposal to toll I-80 to generate revenue for transportation projects because businesses in communities along the I-80 corridor would be adversely affected. He does support the development of high speed rail and revealed that a study will be soon conducted to explore the possibility of increasing speeds on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor from Washington D.C. to Boston. Congressman Gerlach, who won his Republican primary in his re-election bid the previous week, said funding transportation will be daunting due to the nation’s rising deficit and insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund, which provides funding for transportation. A decline in driving and an increase in fuel-efficient vehicles have resulted in lower gas tax revenues for the Highway Trust Fund. Emergency transfers from the federal government’s general fund have been needed to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent. Gerlach said there have been many proposals to solve the transportation funding crisis, such as the Vehicle Miles Tax, i.e. charging motorists for each mile driven. He said that proposal is controversial, but a new transportation authorization bill may not be forthcoming and innovative ideas are being considered. Tillett, Congressman Pitt’s District Chief of Staff, explained that the country’s limited discretionary funds for programs not related to national defense or homeland security does not leave much for transportation. Tillett did not endorse any particular funding solution, but supported the continued evaluation of all ideas. Conne ction CHESTER COUNTY Spring/Summer 2010 Published by the Transportation Management Association of Chester County Congressmen Highlight Transportation Funding Challenges IN THIS ISSUE... U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak (D – 7 th District) U.S. Congressman Jim Gerlach (R – 6 th District) Continued on Page 4 Congressman Highlight Transportation Funding Challenge ................................................. 1 Show Me the Money............................................... 2 Open Letter to Governor Edward G. Rendell..... 3 Welcome New TMACC Members ........................ 4 Bus Fare Reduced to Help Employees in Malvern ........................................... 5 TMACC Providing Free Bus Rides to Encourage Drivers to “Dump the Pump”............ 6 Ticket to Ride ......................................................... 6 TMACC Uses Social Networking Sites to Keep Commuters Connected ............................ 7 Sustainability Issues Addressed at Earth Day Event ................................................ 7

Conne CHESTER COUNTY ction - tmacc.org · Rendell and his administration are in the twilight of their ... an oil company franchise tax hike, ... Tolls are one of the solutions

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U.S. Congressmen Joe Sestak (D – 7th District) and Jim Gerlach (R – 6th District) participated in a special forum on May 24 about traffic congestion, public transit, alternative fuels and funding for transportation projects in the region.

The forum, hosted by the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC), was held at the Sheraton Great Valley Hotel in Frazer. Tom Tillett, District Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Joe Pitts (R – 16th District), also participated.

Congressman Sestak, who won the Democratic nomination for Senate a week prior to the TMACC forum, said transportation issues were raised during the campaign. He is concerned about the impact of tolling on small businesses. Sestak said he did not support the state’s proposal to toll I-80 to generate

revenue for transportation projects because businesses in communities along the I-80 corridor would be adversely affected. He does support the development of high speed rail and revealed that a study will be soon conducted to explore the possibility of increasing speeds on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor from Washington D.C. to Boston.

Congressman Gerlach, who won his Republican primary in his re-election bid the previous week, said funding transportation will be daunting due to the nation’s rising deficit and insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund, which provides funding for transportation. A decline in driving and an increase in fuel-efficient vehicles have resulted in lower gas tax revenues for the Highway Trust Fund. Emergency transfers from the federal government’s general fund have been needed to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent.

Gerlach said there have been many proposals to solve the transportation funding crisis, such as the Vehicle Miles Tax, i.e. charging motorists for each mile driven. He said that proposal is controversial, but a new transportation authorization bill may not be forthcoming and innovative ideas are being considered.

Tillett, Congressman Pitt’s District Chief of Staff, explained that the country’s limited discretionary funds for programs not related to national defense or homeland security does not leave

much for transportation. Tillett did not endorse any particular funding solution, but supported the continued evaluation of all ideas.

ConnectionCHESTER COUNT Y Spring/Summer 2010

Published by the Transportation Management Association of Chester County

Congressmen Highlight Transportation Funding Challenges

IN THIS ISSUE.. .

U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak (D – 7th District)

U.S. Congressman Jim Gerlach (R – 6th District)

Continued on Page 4

Congressman Highlight Transportation Funding Challenge ................................................. 1

Show Me the Money ............................................... 2

Open Letter to Governor Edward G. Rendell ..... 3

Welcome New TMACC Members ........................ 4

Bus Fare Reduced to Help Employees in Malvern ........................................... 5

TMACC Providing Free Bus Rides to Encourage Drivers to “Dump the Pump” ............ 6

Ticket to Ride ......................................................... 6

TMACC Uses Social Networking Sites to Keep Commuters Connected ............................ 7

Sustainability Issues Addressed at Earth Day Event ................................................ 7

TMACC Board of Directors Carol Aichele Chester County Commissioner

Michael BakerPennDOT

Dr. Louis J. Beccaria, Ph.D.Phoenixville Community Health Foundation

Gene BlaumPennDOT

William CallazzoWJC Associates

John CalnanSEPTA

Diane Disney, Ph.D.Penn State Great Valley

The Honorable Paul DruckerPA State Representative, 157th District

Vito Genua, P.E., ChairmanGannett Fleming, Inc.

Theresa Shank GrentzImmaculata University

Linda IngenthronState Farm Insurance; Linda Ingenthron Agency

C. Donald JacobsTraffic Planning & Design

James Kilcur, Esq.Saul Ewing, LLP

Gary KrapfKrapf’s Coaches, Inc.

Steve Moore, P.E., Vice-ChairJacobs

Susan Montgomery, CFM, Secretary[The] Vanguard Group

Ivory V. Nelson, Ph.D.Lincoln University

The Honorable Dominic PileggiPA State Senate, 9th District

The Honorable John C. Rafferty, Jr.PA State Senate, 44th District

LLoyd Roach, TreasurerBrandywineRadio.com

Doug SchmidtChester County Career Link

Donald Shanis, Ph.D.DVRPC

Thomas J. Sklow, CPA, CCIMLiberty Property Trust

The Honorable Barbara McIlvaine SmithPA State Representative, 156th District

Gary W. SmithCC Economic Development Council

Chris WilliamsMcMahon Associates

Michael E. HerronExecutive Director TMACC

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Show Me the Money!By Michael Herron

TMACC Executive DirectorWith the recent decision by the Federal Government to reject Pennsylvania’s application to toll Interstate 80 along the northern corridor of the Commonwealth, transportation has suffered another setback in its goal for solvency. It seems that no matter the politician, reigning Governor, nor creative strategist, no one can solve this lifelong financial nightmare. My career in transportation has been marked by outstretched hands begging Harrisburg for the most meager of handouts. And I suspect with the few years I have left before retirement, this pattern will not change.

Thirty years ago, I joined SEPTA as the Authority’s marketing director . . .you know the person responsible for spending hard earned fare box revenue to advertise bus and rail routes. No, I didn’t drive the bus, collect the fares, nor manage the operations. I just spent money! In retrospect, it’s a wonder I even had a job much less dollars to print brochures and produce radio commercials. And to make matters worse in the 80’s there was little if any dedicated funding for public transit. Sure the City of Philadelphia and surrounding counties had to pay some subsidies to keep the routes moving, but it was a minimalist approach.

So I’m well versed in begging . . . sorry I mean lobbying. And unfortunately, in this business you become pessimistic. A few years ago, the Pennsylvania Public Transit Association (PPTA) worked especially hard to find a solution to public transit’s financial dilemma. Under the direction of PPTA’s Executive Director Marti Pierce, the Association’s member transit agencies and PennDOT Deputy Secretary Toby Fauver, we universally believed a workable solution had been found. Don’t increase the gas taxes, real estate transfer taxes, nor sell the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Just toll I-80!

The legislature and governor agreed and passed Act 44 which called for tolling. While Act 44 was a bipartisan effort, it rapidly came unraveled when the federal government rejected Pennsylvania’s application for I-80 tolling, once again placing transportation funding back to square one. As one member of the Pennsylvania House recently said just throw every possible solution up against the wall and maybe something will stick. What’s the definition of insanity? You know “keep doing the same thing over and over again and think the result is going to be different.”

Pennsylvania recently held its primary election in which two gubernatorial and two U.S. Senate candidates were selected. Now, the shift is moving toward new political leadership. Gov. Rendell and his administration are in the twilight of their Harrisburg tenures. There is no question that Rendell has worked extremely hard to secure funding for transportation, but his impact is rapidly dwindling. It’s time for the new gubernatorial candidates Tom Corbett and Dan Onorato and senatorial candidates Pat Toomey and Joe Sestak to publicly position themselves on this subject and offer their recommendations to solve the crisis. Highways, bridges and public transportation affect the livelihood and well being of every Pennsylvanian. Failure is not acceptable. After all I’d like to retire with transportation funding on the upswing.

Dear Gov. Rendell:

It was only two years ago that you outlined a doom and gloom scenario for the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure and public transit agencies due to a funding crisis. The future of our roads, bridges and transit seemed dire.

PennDOT identified the number of structurally-deficient bridges in the state and warned the legislature to act or risk a catastrophic accident, similar to the collapse of I-35W Mississippi River bridge in Minneapolis in Aug. 2007. Thankfully, the legislature responded to your message and passed Act 44 in 2007 and planned to raise revenue by tolling I-80. In retrospect, it may not have been wise to count on revenue from tolls that were not yet approved by the federal government. When the Democrats won the White House, tolling I-80 seemed like a sure thing. Oops.

No one anticipated that the federal Department of Transportation under President Obama would interpret the law differently. That was truly a blind side worthy of an Oscar. Now we’re back to the drawing board.

I loved your stirring speech before the joint session of the House and Senate on May 4, but wasn’t it eerily similar to one you made two years ago? Well, it worked once before, but you know much has changed since 2007.

Let’s see:

• Therewasanearmeltdownofoureconomy; • Theunemploymentratespikedat9percent; • Taxrevenuesarewaydownandcasinoshavenothelped

much; • LeasingthePATurnpike,unpopularthen,stillunpopular; • Statebudgetdeficitscontinuetogrowandgrowand

grow.There’s talk again about raising the gas tax, driver license and registration fees. Transportation-oriented public private partnerships, an oil company franchise tax hike, local sales and realty transfer taxes are all back on the table.

Governor, these proposals may provide the state with a short-term solution to the transportation funding crisis, but you know a comprehensive, long-term solution must be developed to address the state’s rising transportation costs and shrinking revenue.

Tolls must be part the solution. The federal government must enable states to generate revenue for transportation projects by allowing states to toll interstate highways. When Congress begins developing the new transportation

legislation that will provide hundreds of billions of dollars for the nation’s highways and public transit agencies, it should also include a provision that would encourage states to toll interstate highways.

Many Americans say they want to reduce government spending. You’ve seen the Tea Party rallies. Government spending can be reduced if we pay for what we use. Can you sense the irony here? You, a staunch Democrat endorsing a Republican ideal, user fees, in this case tolls. Theoretically, the more money the states raise, the less the feds have to spend. Isn’t this a win-win?

Commuters and critics of federal deficit spending will object to paying tolls for previously free highway travel. Municipalities will complain that tolls would divert traffic to local roads. Businesses will gripe that tolls will hurt the local economy. Great leaders make difficult and, sometime, unpopular decisions. Governor, be that leader!

People will adjust just like they did when gas prices spiked in 2008. Some will continue to drive, grumble and pay the tolls; others will use public transit – which is another benefit tolls could produce. There would be increased ridership, less traffic congestion, less carbon emissions.

Anyway, if tolls were such a detriment to the commuting public, why hasn’t New Jersey removed the tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway and the Garden State Parkway? Have those tolls hurt Jersey Shore tourism and economy? It could be argued that Snooki did more harm to the Jersey Shore than tolls.

Governor, you’ll need to help Congress see the light on the tolling issue. Invite Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger along to D.C. for a bipartisan gubernatorial fight for the right to toll interstates. California is in terrible financial shape and could use the dough. And, you know that the financial reckoning for the Keystone State is coming soon.

Pennsylvania, like most states, has a revenue problem. Indiscriminately cutting programs will hurt and anger citizens and will not provide enough funds for transportation.

Tolls are one of the solutions.

Will tolls be a tough sell to constituents? Yes, but you’re an Eagles fan, you’re used to people complaining.

On the bright side, in a few months, this will be someone else’s problem.

Sincerely,

Derrick Stokes TMACC Marketing Director

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Open Letter to Gov. Edward G. Rendell about the Transportation Crisis, Part II

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Congressmen Highlight Transportation Funding Challenges, Continued from Page 1Michael E. Herron, TMACC Executive Director, said the forum highlighted the challenges facing the transportation industry.

“The country has relied on the gas tax to fund transportation projects for far too long,” Herron said. “If we are going to maintain and modernize our transportation infrastructure, Congress needs to develop an innovative funding solution to our critical transportation needs.”

The forum was sponsored by State Rep. Paul Drucker (D – 157th District); Saul Ewing, LLP; Brandywine Hospital; Parsons Brinkerhoff; McMahon Associates Inc.; and Traffic Planning and Design.

Welcome New TMACC Members!The Sheraton Great Valley is an upscale 198 room, full-service, 3-Star hotel with over 7,000 square feet of flexible Meeting and Banquet space.

This warm and welcoming property has all the charm of a country inn, but with all of the 21st century amenities you expect. The property boasts a beautiful restaurant and lounge, featuring the historic White Horse Tavern and Chesterfield’s Lounge.

The White Horse Tavern is a restaurant located in section of the building which pre-dates the Revolutionary War. Exciting menus highlighting American Cuisine are prepared daily by our award winning Chef Michael Markoski. Guests can also relax in Chesterfield’s Lounge, which serves casual fare during lunch and dinner.

Have a workout in our exercise facility featuring the latest in cardiovascular equipment. Perhaps soothe your tired muscles in our beautiful indoor pool, with whirlpool spa. If that sounds like too much, just pull up a lounge chair and take it easy.

The Sheraton Great Valley Hotel is considered the premier full-service hotel in the Philadelphia Western Suburbs. When you arrive at the Hotel you enter history. The Sheraton Great Valley has 2 historic buildings connected to the hotel. The White Horse Tavern built in 1763 and the Glen Lincoln Tavern built in 1870.

FromthemomentyoustepintotheelegantlobbyatTheInnatChesterSpringsHotelinExton,PAyouwillbewelcomedbywarmandinvitingsurroundingsandourfriendlyprofessionalstaff.Everyaspectofyourtravelexperienceiscarefullyattendedto,fromcheckintocheckout.ThehotelisnestledintheheartofhistoricChesterCountynearValleyForgeNationalHistoricalPark,surroundedbybeautifullylandscapedcourtyardandmaturewoodedareas.

TheInnatChesterSpringspresentsitsRoseGardenGazeboandtentedreceptionarea.Twothousandsquarefeetofbanquetspaceadjacenttoourpool.Letyourimaginationrunwildwhenplanningyournextevent.Wedding,Picnics,Barbecues,PoolParties.JustanotherreasonwhytheInnatChesterSpringsistheplacetocometogether.TheInnatChesterSpringsistheonlyfullservicehotelintheExton-LionvilleChesterSpringsarea.Withover10,000squarefeetofflexiblemeetingspace,includingtwoballrooms,anExecutiveBoardroom,highspeedinternetaccess,amplebreakoutareas,spaciouspre-functionspace,audio-visualtechnicianstheInnistheplacetomeetinChesterCounty.

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815 N. Pottstown Pike • Exton, PA 19341610.363.1100 888.253.6119www.InnatChesterSprings.com

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Bus Fare Reduced to Help Employees in MalvernTMACCwillreducefaresontheBeelinebusthismonthto$1toencourageChesterCountyresidentstofindandretainjobsinMalvern.

The$2basefareoftheBeelinewillbetemporaryreducedto$1andanyadditionalzonechargeswillbewavedfromJune17toSept3.TheBeeline,whichbeganoperationsonin2007,providesserviceduringpeakcommutingperiodsfromtheCoatesville,DowningtownandExtonareastoMalvernandtheGreatValleyCorporateCenter,MondaythroughFriday.

ThefarereductioncoincideswiththegrandopeningsofanewWegmanssupermarketandTargetretailstoreintheUptownWorthingtoncomplexinMalvern.Nearly500fullandpart-timepositionswillbecreatedwhenthestoresopeninJuly.Manyprospectiveemployeeswillbeattendinglocaljobfairs,interviewingforavailablepositionsatbothstores.

“WehavebeenworkingwiththePennsylvaniaCareerLinkandthemanagersoftheWegmansandTargetstorestoeducateandinformthemofaccessiblepublictransitfromwesternChesterCountycommunitiestoMalvern,”saidTMACCMarketingDirectorDerrickStokes.“Byloweringthefares,wearehopingthatthesenewemployeeswilldiscovertheBeeline’sreliableandaffordableservice.”

Moreimportantly,Stokesadded,theBeelinewillabletoreducesomecongestionalongRoute202andtheRoute30Bypassbyofferingemployeesanalternativetodriving.

“ThehighwaystoMalvernandtheGreatValleyCorporateCenterareverycongestedtoday,”hesaid.“IfeveryWegmansandTargetemployeedrivestowork,commutingtotheareacouldbecomeunbearable.”

Stokessaidreconstructionandwideningofa5.3milestretchofRoute202betweenRoute252totheRoute30interchangeinTredyffrinandEastWhitelandtownshipsarescheduledtobeginin2011.

Presently,theBeelineprovidesservicetothePfizerMalverncampus,whichisadjacenttotheUptownWorthingtoncomplex.PfizerwilltransfermostofitsemployeestoitsCollegevillefacilitybytheendofJune.Atthattime,theBeelinewillceaseservicetoPfizerandbeginservicetoUptownWorthingtononJuly1.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS EXTON120 N. POTTSTOWN PIKE, EXTON,

PENNSYLVANIA 19341 (610) 524-9000 Fax (610) 524-8264

Conveniently located in a shopping center surrounded by a variety of restaurants and storesComplimentary Deluxe Continental “Express Start Smart” Breakfast (with three (3) hot items included) Complimentary high speed wireless internet throughout the hotel Complimentary use of the Business Center located in the Lower Lobby of the hotelComplimentary coffee available for 24 hours in the Lower Lobby of the hotelComplimentary Parking Meeting Rooms equipped with power-point and DVD capabilities

www.HIEexton.com

Contact MS. ELAINE LAROSA for your TMACC special discount @ 610-524-9000 extension 153

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TMACChascreatedaspecialprogramwithseveralnon-profitagenciestodistributediscountbuspassesandticketstolow-incomeresidentswhodependonpublictransit.

Animpressivesocialservicenetworkofcountyagenciesandnon-profitscanprovideassistanceforfoodandclothingformanyneedyfamilies.Unfortunately,intheireffortstobecomeself-sufficient,theseneedyfamiliesstruggletocoverthecosttocommutetowork,jobinterviewsandjobtraining.

TMACCseekscorporatepartnerstopurchasediscountticketsandpassesanddistributethemtoalocalnon-profitorganizationwithInternalRevenueCode501(c)(3)tax-exemptstatus.Donationsto501(c)(3)organizationsaretaxdeductible.

ThediscountticketsandpassescanbeusedtotravelonTMACCbuseswithinChesterCounty.

TMACCoperatesthreebuslinesthatservepartsofChesterCountynotcoveredbytheregionaltransitauthority,

SEPTA.TheCoatesville LinkservestheCoatesville,SouthCoatesvilleandParkesburgareas,witheveningservicebetweenCoatesville,Thorndale,DowningtownandExton.TheSCCOOTrouteservessouthernChesterCounty,includingOxford,WestGrove,Avondale,KennettSquareandWestChester.TheBeeline provides servicesfromCoastesvilleandDowningtowntotheGreatValleyCorporateCenter.

TheseroutesareessentialtoChesterCountyresidents,especiallythosewhodonothaveaccesstopersonalautomobiles.Thebusesprovideinvaluableaccesstojobsandtothecounty’ssocialservicesafetynet,includingPennsylvaniaCareerLinkforjobtrainingandjobplacement.Thebusesprovideaccesstobasicneeds,suchasfoodandretailstoresandlocalhospitalsandhealthcarecenters.

Thesebusesaffectpeople,theircommunities,theirlocalbusinessesandtheirqualityoflife.

TMACCwillprovidefreeserviceonitsthreebusroutesonJune17tocelebratethefifthannualNationalDumpthePumpDay.

NationalDumpthePumpDay,whichwillbeobservedonThursday,June17,isdedicatedtoraisingawarenessthatridingpublictransportationhelpsimprovetheenvironmentandconservesfuel.Ridingpublictransitisthequickestwaytobeathighgasprices.AccordingtotheAmericanPublicTransitAssociation(APTA),atwocarhouseholdthatdownsizestoonecarcansave–ontheaverage–morethan$9,000ayear.Theaveragehouseholdspends18centsofeverydollarontransportation,and94percentofthisgoestobuying,maintaining,andoperatingcars,thelargestexpenditureafterhousing.

TocelebrateNationalDumpthePumpDay,serviceontheCoatesvilleLink,theSCCOOTandBeelinebuseswillbefreefortheentireday.TheCoatesvilleLinkserves

communitieswestofCoatesvilletoParkesburg.TheSCCOOTservescommunitiesfromWestChestertoKennettSquaretoOxford.TheBeelineservescommunitiesfromCoatesvilletoDowningtowntoGreatValley.

“CommutingisbecomingtooexpensiveandfrustratingformanyChesterCountyresidents,”saidMichaelE.Herron,TMACCExecutiveDirector.“Wearehopingthatresidentswhohavebecometoodependentontheirautomobileswilltakeadvantageofthefreeserviceandlearnmoreabouttheircommutingoptions.”

Herrondoesn’texpectcommuterstoimmediatelyselltheirvehiclesandtaketransiteveryday.Changingcommutingbehaviorsisnotgoingtohappenovernight.

“Ifwecanconvincesomemotoriststoleavetheircarsintheirdrivewaysatleastonceaweek,thatwouldbesignificant,”Herronsaid.

Ticket to Ride

TMACC PROVIDING FREE BUS RIDES TO ENCOURAGE DRIVERS TO “DUMP THE PUMP”

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TMACCisnowusingsocialnetworkingwebsitesFacebookandTwittertokeepChesterCountycommutersinformedofregionaltransportationissues.

TMACCusesthesocialnetworkingsitestodisseminatetransportationnewsandpublictransitschedulinginformationdirectlytothecomputersandwirelesssmartphonesofcommuterswhoregistertobecome“friends”or“followers.”

“TMACCrealizesthatsocialmediasitessuchasFacebookandTwitterarequicklybecomingtoday’sleadingproviderofinformationtothegeneralpublic,”saysTMACC’sMarketingDirectorDerrickStokes.“Throughthesesites,wewillprovideChesterCountycommuterswithreal-timetransportationinformationthatwillensureasmoothercommute.”

FacebookandTwitteraresimilarfreesocialnetworkingwebsitesthathavegarneredworld-widepopularityinthepasttwoyears.Facebookallowsuserstojoinonlinecommunitiesofpeoplewithsharedinterestsandexchangeideas.Twitterdiffersinthatusersonlysend‘tweets,’ortext-basedposts,ofupto140characterswhicharedeliveredtotheusers‘followers,’orfriends.Bothsocialnetworkingsitesareinteractive.

StokessaidTMACCwillalsousetheseinteractivenetworkingsitestoserveasaforumforcommuterstodiscusstheircommutingchallenges.Headdedthatthesocialmediasiteswillprovidecommuterswithaplatformtopromotetheirideastoimprovepublictransitandlocalhighways.

“Sincetheyaretheendusers,wewantcommuterstobecomeengagedintheprocessofimprovingtransportation,”hesaid.

TofollowTMACConFacebookandTwitter,clickthelinksatthebottomoftheTMACCwebsite,tmacc.org.

AcommutermustbecomeaFacebook‘fan’or‘follow’TMACConTwittertoreceivetransportationnewsandtoparticipateindiscussionsaboutlocaltransportationissues.

TMACC USES SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES TO KEEP

COMMUTERS CONNECTED

Sustainability Issues Addressed at

Earth Day EventTMACChostedaspecialforumtoprovidehelpfultipstoconserveenergyandsavemoney.

Thepurposeoftheevent,whichwasheldatPennStateGreatValleyonApril20,wastoprovideeasyandcost-effectivesolutionstoreducingenergyconsumptionandcarbonemissionsathome,workandduringthedailycommute.

TheeventwasheldinrecognitionofEarthDay,adaydesignedtoinspireawarenessandappreciationfortheEarth’senvironmentheldonApril22,saidMichaelE.Herron,TMACCExecutiveDirector.

“Becauseweareadvocatesforalternativemodesoftransportationwhoaretryingtoreducethecongestiononourhighways,webelieveitisimportanttoshowcommutersthecostoftheircommute–indollarsandincarbonemissions,”Herronsaid.“Youdon’thavetobeanardentenvironmentalisttowanttolearnhowtoimplementcost-savingmeasurestoreduceyourcarbonfootprint.”

Thepanelistswhoparticipatedintheforumwere:

• MarlaThalheimer,LEEDAccreditedProfessional(AP),SustainabilityManager,LibertyPropertyTrust;

• ErikJohanson,StrategyandSustainabilityPlanner, SEPTA;

• BobHittelman,MarketingandAccountManager, VPSIInc.

Thalheimerprovidedacommon-senseapproachtoreducingone’scarbonfootprintathome,atworkandthecommuteinbetween.Shesaidtransportationisresponsibleforthebulkofcarbonemissions.Takingpublictransitorcarpoolingtwiceaweekwouldsignificantlyreduceaperson’scarbonfootprint.

JohansonsaidSEPTAwillbeaddingnearly500hybridbusestoitsfleet.Thenewbustechnologywillcutenergycostsandreducepollution.

Hittelmanpromotedvanpoolsasatransportationoptionforemployeeswhoarecommutingfromthesamearea.Ridesharingprogramsmayprovidesomerelieffromcongestionsconcernsandtheoverallcostofcommuting.

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Great Valley Corporate Center7 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 144Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

The Transportation Management Association of Chester County is a non-profit corporation established to promote, educate and provide transportation and employment solutions for private industry and non-profit organizations.

Transportation Management Association of Chester County

Telephone (610) 993.0911 • Fax (610) 993.0922www.tmacc.org ~ [email protected]

Executive Director - Michael E. Herron [email protected]

Deputy Executive Director - Derrick Stokes .................................... [email protected]

Operations Manager - Paul DesRocher ...............................................paul @tmacc.org

ADA Client Services Specialist - Angela Garvin [email protected]

Executive Administrator - Betty Shaw [email protected]

Receptionist - Diane Minka ................................................................diane@tmacc.org

Financial Services Administrator - Margaret Murrin [email protected]