Fort Bend County Recognized at the Commute Solutions Best in Motion Awards

On August 14, 2008 Commute Solutions in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Houston-Galveston Area Council, and Commute Solutions Stakeholders, recognized Fort Bend County for its support to County Wide Transportation Programs and for continued support of voluntary efforts to reduce area congestion, strengthen the local economy, and help improve regional air quality.

Commute Solutions is a partnership of the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s (H-GAC’s) Regional Commute Alternatives Program.  The purpose of the Commute Solutions is to provide a “one-stop” alternative transportation resource in the Houston-Galveston area for both commuters and businesses.  The 2008 Commute Solutions Leadership “Best in Motion” Awards Luncheon honored corporations, organizations, and local governments that provided commuter benefits and encouraged the use of commute alternatives.

Fort Bend County was recognized in the public sector for Air Quality Leadership Awards.  Tennille Jones and Cindy Sumrall both of the Fort Bend County Public Transportation Department proudly accepted the award on behalf of Fort Bend County.  Jack Steele, HGAC Executive Director and Alan Clark HGAC Director of Transportation, presented the award.  Dr. Stephen Klineberg of Rice University was the Keynote speaker at the awards luncheon and Jerome Gray with KPRC Local 2 News was the Master of Ceremony.

On-Call demand response transportation service in Fort Bend County was implemented in 1999 via a contract with The American Red Cross to handle the service.  TREK commuter service to Greenway Plaza began in 2002.  Increased and expanded services were implemented when Fort Bend County’s Transportation Department was started in 2005.  In 2006 the County took over the Greenway Plaza route and TREK services were expanded to include service into the Galleria area.  The on-call demand response service is currently operating 13 buses within the county.   Overall, the Department is providing over 11,000 trips per month to County residents.  Fort Bend County’s Road and Bridge Department has also been an active participant in Commute Solutions programs.  The Department received an award last year recognizing its participation in the engine replacement program.  The program’s purpose is to take old engines and replace them with newer, lower emission engines.

Fort Bend County Transportation Department Assistant Director Tennille Jones commented, “We were honored to accept this award.  We have definitely seen an increase in our ridership and are excited about the many alternatives we have like carpooling, vanpooling, walking, bicycling, and of course taking the bus.  Individually, these tactics seem small and simple. Collectively, they can make a big difference toward improving our air quality and reducing carbon emissions.”

For information on the region’s Commute Solutions program, contact Shelley Whitworth at the Houston Galveston Area Council, 713-627-3200.    For information on Fort Bend County’s public transportation programs dial 281-633-RIDE.

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