|
Welcome to the Commuter Connection. Here you'll find tips, trends and info about commuting in downtown Ann Arbor.
This edition of Commuter Connection is dedicated to the wonderful world of transit.
Questions or Suggestions? Please email me at nancy@annarborchamber.org to tell me your thoughts.
|
Renew your go!pass on time and win prizes!
|
In case you haven't heard, it's go!pass renewal time!
The deadline for ordering your 2007-2008 passes so they'll be delivered before the old ones expire is September 15, 2007. So . . . if you
- Turn in your renewal orders by September 15th (meaning they are postmarked by that time)
- Include a list if all employees getting go!passes
You are eligible for one of these fabulous prizes:
Grand Prize: Free lunch or breakfast for your entire office compliments of getDowntown.
Second Prize: Free gift basket of edible goodies from Zingerman's Deli.
Third Prize: Free drinks for everyone in your office from Sweetwaters.
Fourth Prize: Free bag of fun toys for your office from Peaceable Kingdom and Middle Earth.
Winners of these prizes will be drawn at random from all of the businesses and organizations who renew their go!passes (and include an employee list) by September 15, 2007.
So don't delay, renew today!
|
Three great reasons to ride the Link
|
 Starting on August 27th, the Purple AATA Link buses are back in service and running late to serve you better. Every weekday, the Link runs from 7am to 11pm. And it's completely free!
Here are three great reasons to ride the Link:
- The Link is a great way to get around town. It arrives at the purple lettered stops every 15 minutes. Some of the places you can get to and from on the Link are the Main Street Area, Kerrytown, South University, and up and down Liberty.
- The Link makes it easy to park at a parking structure and get to work or play. Since the Link stops at all of the major parking structures downtown, you can park and ride to your destination. For example, you can park at the Ann/Ashley structure, hop on the Link, and be at State Street in about 5 minutes.
- Starting in early September, riding the Link means prizes! Look for entry forms and posters at your work and stay tuned to www.getdowntown.org to learn how you can win $250 of Ann Arbor Gold, a Chamber Membership and more!
|
Business of the Month: Ann Arbor District Library--Main Branch
|
What do you do if you have 180 employees and only 17 parking spaces? If you are the Ann Arbor District Library, you do the only thing you can do: encourage your employees to find other ways to get downtown.
Lucky for the AADL, there's the go!pass. Double lucky for the AADL that they are right across from the Blake Transit Center. Triple lucky for AADL that they have someone like Adella.
Adella Harden is AADL's Security Supervisor. She's also the one who hands out go!passes to employees. During new employee orientation, Adella is right there telling her employees about the go!pass and how it is a great alternative to parking downtown.
So how successful has AADL been in getting people to use the bus? According to Adella, about 60% of AADL's employees use the bus or walk to get to work. Other employees drive to a Park and Ride lot so they can park for free by showing their go!pass then ride the bus into town.
Adella tells me she has never had any complaints about the go!passes. Her employees are grateful for the service and have found it a convenient and affordable way to get to work.
Do you have your own go!pass success story? We'd love to hear it and give your organization or business its time in the spotlight. Just email me your story.
|
| AATA introduces new commuter-friendly 2X route
|
 Commuting from the Plymouth Mall just got a whole lot easier thanks to the new 2X bus.
With the 2x, you can get to Kerrytown from Plymouth Mall in about 10 minutes. Plymouth Mall to the Michigan League takes about 15. To check out the route, click here.
|
| What's happened to you on the bus? |
If you ride the bus to get to work, chances are you have a story to tell. We'll, you're not alone.
From the funny to the freakish, you'll find all sorts of interesting stories on Bus Tales.
Bus tales is a blog where anyone can submit and read about what's happened to people riding the bus all over the nation. And if you submit a tale, you get a free button!
|
|
Thanks and Final Thoughts
Trying to start up a carpool program? Want to know more about
biking downtown? Still confused by all those buses? Let getDowntown
ease your burden!
The getDowntown Program specializes in offering programs and services
to employers and employees about getting downtown. We are more than
happy to meet with you, give a presentation, or answer your questions.
Thank you so much for reading this month's Commuter Connection. Our October edition will feature news and views on biking downtown. If you want to contribute to Commuter Connection, please let me know.
Please feel free to contact me so I can serve you better.
Sincerely,
Nancy Shore
getDowntown Program
www.getdowntown.org
nancy@annarborchamberorg
|
|
|
Get on the Bus
|
|
This issue of the Commuter Connectin features news and info on using the bus.
You'll learn more about new routes, fabulous prizes and how to share your bus stories online.
|
|
|
