Commuter Challenge 2009 offers two ways to go green

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, announces Commuter Challenge 2009. The challenge is for commuters wanting to make their commute greener while also saving green. Commuters are encouraged to try a new way of getting to work between May 11 and May 22.

The fourth annual Commuter Challenge is designed to alleviate drive-alone traffic by introducing drivers to different modes of transportation, such as carpooling and vanpooling, using public transportation, walking and biking, and making use of flextime and telecommute benefits.

When commuters use an alternate form of transportation to work from May 11-22, they will be entered into a drawing for many great prizes, including overnight at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and lunch for two at the 42 Degrees North Restaurant; $50 gift card to Signature Grill; $25 Opus One gift card; $25 gift card to Hard Rock Café; $25 gift card to Detroit Beer Co.; $25 gift card to Bookies Tavern; $40 gift card to Fishbones; $50 gift card to Hockeytown Cafe; and a $50 fuel card. Every Commuter Challenge participant will receive a coupon from Wheelhouse Detroit for 10 percent off service or one tour.

The first week of the Commuter Challenge, National Transportation Week, will highlight a different commute option each day. For more information, please visit SEMCOG’s Commuter Challenge Web page.

• Monday, May 11 - Pick a lucky carpool or vanpool and win a prize
• Tuesday, May 12 - Detroit PeopleMover Lunchtime carnival
• Wednesday, May 13 - Ride the bus day for interactive bus 101 activities
• Thursday, May 14 - Celebrate walking with the Dequindre Cut Greenway
• Friday, May 15 - National Bike to Work Day

Learn more about the Commuter Challenge and your commute options at a FREE transportation fair with remarks from Fox 2’s traffic reporter, Jackie Paige on Friday, May 8 at Cadillac Square (near Campus Martius) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.! Rain location is inside Compuware. Check out a DDOT and SMART bus, a MichiVan, the Night Move Shuttle, Wheelhouse Detroit bikes, displays by local shops, and organizations that support green commuting.

The benefits of not driving alone to work:

• Save money! Leaving your car in the driveway can save you thousands of dollars. Use a savings calculator to determine how much money you can save.
• Help the environment! Air quality improves with fewer vehicles on the road.
• Reduce your stress! Enjoy your commute by reading, napping, checking your e-mail, or socializing.
• Find time to exercise! Incorporate cycling or walking into your commute for the additional benefit of fitness.

The Commuter Challenge runs from May 11-22, 2009. For more information, visit www.semcog.org/commuterchallenge.aspx or call 313-324-3402.

Commuter Challenge 2009 partners are:

• Compuware Corporation,
• Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT),
• Detroit Synergy and its Detroit Bikes! Project,
• Detroit Transportation Corporation (Detroit People Mover),
• League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB),
• MichiVan Commuter Vanpools,
• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT),
• Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG),
• Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART),
• Transit Riders United (TRU), and
• VPSI.

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SEMCOG is a regional planning partnership of governmental units serving 4.9 million people in the seven-county region of Southeast Michigan striving to enhance the region's quality of life. 

SEMCOG. . . Equipping local government leaders for the future
535 Griswold, Suite 300 • Detroit, MI 48226-3602 • (313) 961-4266 • fax (313) 961-4869