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Scripps Joins Flagship Smart Trips Sponsor Program
Scripps Networks Interactive was the first to join a new Smart Trips sponsor project in December. The company, which has a large corporate headquarters located in west Knoxville, is a major supporter of green commute modes. 
The year they joined Smart Trips, they were the top employer in our annual Commuter Challenge because of how many participants signed on. Clean commuting is part of the culture at Scripps.
The new sponsor program will help fund more support for alternative commuters in Knoxville. Smart Trips benefits have grown over the years to include our incentive gift cards, online ridematching, emergency ride home passes, a monthly newsletter, and assistance finding safe walking, biking, and bus routes. The basic program attracts hundreds of enthusiastic members each year.
"We do a lot of marketing through local businesses," says Outreach Coordinator Sara Martin. "Since our program focuses on work commutes, it makes sense to recruit members directly at their place of employment. We developed the new sponsor program to allow employers to increase their involvement in a more structured way and offer more benefits to their employees."
There are four levels of sponsorship and each offers a host of new incentives including catered educational sessions, custom blog and newsletter articles, promotion on the Smart Trips website and newsletter, cooperative advertisements in local media, help achieving a national clean commute designation, event sponsorships, and regular reports showing a company's emissions saved, calories burned, and more.
"We're thrilled to be offering Smart Trips' new services at our Knoxville campus," says Sara Stone, Office Services Manager for Scripps. "We think it's a practical, fun way to improve our employee benefits and sustainability. We're looking into similar programs for our other locations across the country."
Stay tuned to keep up with Scripps' progress and learn about other local companies headed in the same direction. Think your employer would be a good match for the new program? Call us today! Contact Sara Martin at 865-215-3234 or sara.martin@knoxtrans.org.
Congratulations to the 2014 Commuter Challenge Winners
On Thursday, November 20, Smart Trips welcomed the winners of this year's Commuter Challenge to The Southern Depot for a celebration of green commutes! Dana Bryson took home the individual grand prize of a $1,500 vacation package from AAA Travel. And Rush's Music won First Place in the business challenge. See more winners >>
Wheels With No Strings Attached!
Need a car? Borrow a Zipcar! The City of Knoxville and Knoxville TPO have partnered with Zipcar to provide car-sharing for residents, businesses, and the University Community. The partnership increases access to affordable, convenient transportation options that reduce congestion and emissions. To use Zipcars, simply register as a member, reserve a car online or by phone, use your Zipcard to enter the car, and drive away. When you’re done, return the car to the same location where you picked it up.
Your first year membership fee has been waived, thanks to a grant to improve air quality from the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization
As a member you get:
- Access to Zipcars 24/7.
- Rates start at just $7.50/hour or $69/day.
- Gas, insurance and maintenance are included for free!
- The first year membership fee has been waived (Thanks for a grant from the Knoxville TPO)
Learn more and get started at zipcar.com/knoxville.
A Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement grant was awarded by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to the Knoxville/Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission for membership subsidies and marketing of car-sharing in Knoxville. The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization is managing the project.