by Guy Page
A new carbon-emissions program funded in part by the Vermont Department of Transportation (VTRANS) is paying single-occupancy commuters to find another way to work.
Before the pandemic drastically reduced Vermont commuter traffic, climate change activists in the Vermont Legislature were targeting what they called “pleasure car” travel by single occupants to and from work. According to VTRANS statistics (see below), the average Vermonter drives more miles per capita compared with other states, even other rural states.
These figures predate the pandemic and its impact – both shortterm and longterm – on commuter traffic. According to research by AAA, the average number of all daily personal car trips nationally plunged 45% in April 2020 and 40% for trips by all modes of transportation combined. The dip in travel moderated later in the year but remained below 2019 levels. Despite pandemic-related reduction in commuting, VTRANS is plunging ahead with taxpayer-funded carrots including $76 gift card incentives to reduce commuter-related carbon emissions.
Vermont lawmakers will be among the gift card recipients. According to WCAX, one of the gift card providers is the Farm House Tap and Grill, a popular Burlington pub.
The Commuter Incentive Program offers gift card incentives and individualized support in order to help more employees commute to their workplace sustainably and affordably rather than by single occupancy vehicle (SOV), its website says. “Our participants commute to a wide array of employers, including the US House of Representatives, the City of Winooski, Diggers Mirth Farm, LONDONMiddlebury, Beta Technologies and many more.”
The Commuter Incentive Program operates out of Sustainable Transportation Vermont, in partnership with CATMA, VNRC, and VTrans. It is a grant-funded initiative through the Vermont Mobility and Transportation Innovations Grant Project; its stated purpose is to “foster innovative strategies that improve both mobility and access for transit-dependent Vermonters, reduce the use of single occupancy vehicles for work trips, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”