Session Description:
As more employees return to in-person work and commuting patterns continue to evolve, this session invites you to discover the many travel options, supports, and benefits available to make your commute to campus healthier, more affordable, and more sustainable. Whether you’re curious about transit discounts, cycling routes and bike parking, or how to mix and match different modes of travel, you’ll find practical tools and services designed to support your daily journey. You will hear from Region of Waterloo / Grand River Transit staff and City of Waterloo active transportation staff about community services, infrastructure, and employee-specific benefits that shape the daily travel experience for campus members. You’ll also get an introduction to Shift:Mobility, the University of Waterloo’s first Sustainable Transportation Plan, presented by Sustainable Transportation and the Sustainability Office. The plan outlines a coordinated vision for supporting all modes of travel across our campuses, including key outcomes and targets guiding future mobility decisions.
Learning Outcomes:
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Identify sustainable transportation options (e.g. - cycling, transit, walking, scooters, EVs) for travelling to and from Waterloo campuses
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Recognize employee benefits available through the Region’s TravelWise program, including tools, incentives, and supports for sustainable commuting
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Explain how individual transportation choices contribute to the broader sustainability story at Waterloo
Session Structure:
Panel discussion
Presenters:
Tara De Souza (she/her), Sustainable Transportation Specialist, Sustainable Transportation
Mat Thijssen (he/him), Director of Sustainability, Sustainability Office
Ivan J. Balaban (he/him), Principal Planner, Region of Waterloo / Grand River Transit
Louise Finlay (she/her), Project Manager – Active Transportation, City of Waterloo