Celebration for sustainable and inspirational companies
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Businesses have been celebrated for inspiring thousands of people across Greater Manchester to opt for cheaper, healthier and eco-friendly journeys to work.
Fifteen companies have picked up awards from Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM’s) Travel Choices team for encouraging employees to walk, cycle, car share or take public transport.
The Travel Choices team was setup four years ago to help organisations promote sustainable travel, aiming to benefit businesses and reduce the negative environmental impact of employee commutes and general business travel. There are now 600 businesses signed up to its free service.
Companies and organisations who won awards at the event, which was attended by around 40 businesses, included intu Trafford Centre, HOME, Fujitsu, Poundland and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
TfGM Committee Chair, Councillor Andrew Fender, said: “Four years ago, when we launched, we didn't know for certain how successful the Travel Choices service would be.
“Thanks to the enthusiasm of companies across the region and our great team here at TfGM, we now have hundreds of members signed-up to our network, making a real difference to the environment and the efficiency of their businesses and Greater Manchester as a whole.”
Debbie Bell, Buildings Manager at HOME, which reduced staff car journeys by 10% with a pool bike scheme, said: “HOME is proud to have received the Travel Choices gold award. Through collaboration with the TfGM Travel Choices team and our staff, we have been able to offer more sustainable travel options, improving staff wellbeing and reducing our carbon footprint.”
Andrew Douglas, Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator for intu Trafford Centre, which reduced staff car journeys by 12% and installed electric vehicle charging points and a dedicated public transport guide, said: “We are delighted to have been accredited with the Travel Choices gold award.
“The future addition of the Metrolink line to the intu Trafford Centre will deliver a further step change in sustainable travel access to the centre, and we are looking forward to continuing to work together with our partners at TfGM to make sustainable travel options a mode of choice.”
TfGM’s Travel Choices team can help businesses encourage staff to travel sustainably with a free service, which includes workshops, bike loans, newsletters, grants to build infrastructure such as cycle sheds, lockers and showers, and online resources.
Sustainable travel can help companies save money, attract and retain employees, freeup parking space or resolve parking issues, make them more resilient to problems on the travel network and produce a healthier, more productive workforce.
To find out more and signup to the network, go to www.tfgm.com/businesstravel.