CABI speaker outlines options for local commuters

On Wednesday, February 9, the Canton Association of Business and Industry (CABI) welcomed Karen Dumaine of the Neponset Valley Transportation Management Association for A Discussion About Your Commute! at the Hilton Garden Inn on Royall Street.

The informative talk highlighted the many programs and services available to Canton area commuters, including the newly launched shuttle service for businesses on Royall Street.

CABI board member Eileen Scafidi thanks Karen Dumaine after her presentation.

Dumaine explained that the Neponset Valley TMA — consisting of a partnership between area businesses, communities, developers and stakeholders — works to promote sustainable transportation options for the region’s commuters with the goal of reducing congestion and improving the environment.

Dumaine said that although more employees are returning to their offices, many businesses are adapting a hybrid schedule and allowing employees to work from home some of the time. The MBTA is responding to the new work schedules with more service and flexibility. The commuter rail offers more hourly services and more reverse commute options throughout the day.

One of the tools that the TMA provides is access to ecommuter.org, which has a ride-matching feature for finding carpool and vanpool partners, and provides route-planning assistance for public transit systems and bike routes. It also has a calendar and calculator to allow members to track their commutes and ride savings.

Dumaine said that the process of providing mobility choices started with an employee origin analysis that used employees’ home zip codes to determine commuter hot spots. To motivate employees to use their cars less, the TMA added an incentive program that includes preferential parking for carpools, subsidized transit passes, and rewards for commuters that record their commute twice a week. They also work closely with partner businesses to market the mobility options and to educate commuters.

One of the major challenges facing commuters is getting from the train or subway to the office. The TMA works to fill these gaps through its network of shared and private shuttles. The Royal Street shuttle, launched in the fall, connects participating businesses with the Rte. 128 commuter rail station and MBTA Red Line stations at Ashmont, Mattapan and Quincy Adams.

In 2019, the TMA worked with Canton Town Planner Laura Smead, Dunkin’ Brands (now part of Inspire Brands), Boston Mutual, and Goodbaby International to develop the heat maps and then used that data to successfully apply for two viable grants to help fund two of the shuttle programs for up to three years.

The TMA has also identified several potential locations for future shuttles, including the businesses and office parks along or near Dan Road, John Road, New Boston Drive, Pequot Lane, and Turnpike Street (Route 138). Potential connections include the Canton Center and Canton Junction commuter rail lines; Bat bus 14, and the MBTA bus 716 at Cobb Corner.

Dumaine’s presentation was followed by a question and answer session. Afterwards, Dumaine, Heidi Tessler, director of sales at the Hilton Garden Inn, and Alyssa Gonyea Kusmin, catering sales manager at the Hilton Garden Inn, received certificates of appreciation from CABI for the work they did for the event.

Upcoming CABI events include a workshop on Real Estate Space Issues and Employment on Wednesday, April 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Trillium Brewery on Royall Street; a Morning Meet & Greet facilitated by Enrique Montemayor on Thursday, May 18, from 8-9 a.m. at Inspire Brands Boston Support Center (formerly Dunkin Brands) on Royall Street; and the annual Tom Clark Golf Event on Monday, June 13. Save the dates for the 18th annual Road Race on Sunday, September 25, and CABI’s annual Holiday and Membership Event on Thursday, December 1.

CABI was started in 1972 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022. A committee is working on the planning of an event to celebrate the occasion.

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Posted by Mary Ann Price on Mar 4 2022. Filed under Business. Both comments and pings are currently closed.