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Green Port Program Initiatives Earn Diamond Award From SANDAG

Thursday, 12 March 2009

The Port of San Diego is the recipient of the Diamond Award in marketing from the San Diego Association of Governments. SANDAG honors businesses throughout San Diego County that go the extra mile to help reduce traffic congestion through commute alternatives.

The Port currently has two initiatives which SANDAG recognizes as being beneficial in raising awareness and reducing congestion and air pollution: the commuter assistance program and the alternate work week schedule.

In the commuter assistance program, Port employees are provided resources for carpooling and vanpooling in partnership with RideLink . They also receive 100 percent reimbursements of monthly passes for the bus, train, or trolley. In the alternate work week, Port employees also have the opportunity to work four 10-hour days per week (working only four days per week) or nine nine-hour days every two weeks (resulting in a day off every other week), thereby reducing commuters on the road.

Since 2007, there was a 103 percent increase in employee commuter participation, along with 74 percent of employees alternating their work week. This reduces more than 18,000 daily commutes per year, SANDAG said.

"This honor just underscores the hard work of our Environmental staff and others at the Port who care about the environment," Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Steve Cushman said. "And our Green Port program is a testament to the Port's commitment to reduce the impact of Port operations on the environment."

The Diamond Award will be presented to the Port by SANDAG's Board of Directors Chair, Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler at the 7th Annual Diamond Awards, set for Friday, March 27.

These programs support the goals of the Green Port Program by reducing the Port's carbon footprint. For more information on the program and other environmental initiatives at the Port, please visit the Green Port.