Smart Commute – Community based travel program
Smart Commute programs support residents and businesses to try transit, carpooling, cycling or walking, as a more sustainable way to get around York Region. The aim is to reduce traffic impacts, lower emissions, and improve air quality while helping commuters save time and money.
Smart Commute in York Region
Smart Commute is a community-based program supported by York Region, in partnership with the Cities of Markham, Richmond Hill and the Town of Newmarket.
Smart Commute works with employers in York Region and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area with carpooling support, workplace-led training, engagement events and customized commuter projects.
How to Smart Commute
To find commuting options that could work for you, visit SmartCommute.ca
If your workplace is in York Region and interested in learning about the Smart Commute program, please contact your nearest Smart Commute office below.
Smart Commute Central York - service area includes Towns of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina Newmarket, Whitchurch-Stouffville and Township of King.
Smart Commute Markham, Richmond Hill - service area includes the Cities of Markham and Richmond Hill
Smart Commute North Toronto, Vaughan - service area includes the City of Vaughan
Upcoming Events
February 2024 - Winter Commute Month
February is Winter Commute Month! Warm up your winter commute and try sustainable options such as walking, transit, carpooling, winter cycling or hybrid work this month. Sustainable travel options help us reduce the impacts of single vehicle car traffic while improving commuter wellness.
Visit smartcommute.ca to register and log your sustainable trip from February 1 to 29, 2024 and enter to win a $100 e-gift card.
Winter Cycling Webinar – February 6, 2024
Join a Smart Commute-hosted webinar to learn about choosing the correct clothing and gear for cycling in wet and cold weather, bicycle maintenance, storage tips, winter route-planning, and safe riding techniques for weather-related conditions.
Cycling in all Weather Conditions – Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit smartcommute.ca to register for the webinar.
Learn more about Sustainable travel
Recently released, the Let’s Make the Shift – A Sustainable Mobility Plan outlines York Region’s efforts to promote walking, cycling, transit, carpooling, and other travel options other than a single-occupant vehicle. These sustainable travel options positively contribute to people’s health and communities while making the roads less congested. Small investments in programs and infrastructure to expand these travel options will result in benefits for communities and residents.
June 2024 - Bike Month
York Region and Smart Commute invite you to check back in May 2024 for more information and events happening for Bike Month, June 2024.
Initiatives
Getting to Work
Smart Commute offers employers:
- Site assessments and surveys to understand employee commute behaviour
- Customized action plans to encourage employees to explore and try out smart travel options
- Tools to facilitate change include:
- Exclusive carpool ride-matching programs
- Emergency Ride Home programs
- Discounted transit pass programs
- Telework programs and flexible work arrangements
- Walking and cycling programs
- Fun events and promotions
Community Initiatives
Smart Commute partners with Transportation Demand Management (TDM) stakeholders across the Region to support transportation initiatives and sustainable land use. In York Region, this includes focusing on community-based programs aimed at:
- Promoting active and sustainable transportation infrastructure and connections to mobility hubs
- Shifting travel behaviour away from single occupancy vehicles
- Encouraging active and sustainable school travel
Travel Options
- Carpooling allows you to feel even more satisfied with your commute by sharing a ride with coworkers and spending less on gas!
- Transit takes you for a ride, sit back and relax with music or enjoy a book
- Cycling is a flexible mode of transportation but also carries many health benefits
- Walking is a great chance to step outdoors and enjoy the weather
- Flexible Work Arrangements or telecommuting, where offered, can reduce a trip to the office and allow for signing-in or meeting remotely to get the job done
- Emergency Ride Home is offered to Smart Commute member workplaces when it’s needed most - if you use a sustainable method of commuting to work and have an unforeseen emergency
Emergency Ride Home
As an employee at a participating Smart Commute workplace, you are eligible for Emergency Ride Home (ERH) reimbursement. If you have an unforeseen emergency on any day you use a sustainable method to commute to work, you can request reimbursement of up to $75 for your emergency transportation costs. Ensure you retain all emergency transportation receipt(s).
For more information, please contact your local Smart Commute office.
