County transportation group rewards 'smart' employers
Middlesex County's nonprofit transportation management association has designated 17 local employers as NJ Smart Workplaces.

Keep Middlesex Moving Inc., working with the state Department of Transportation, awarded the businesses, towns and other organizations at aMay 13 ceremony. Companies can earn the prestigious NJ Smart Workplace designation by providing and supporting employee transportation programs for reducing traffic congestion, improving employee recruiting and retention, and minimizing the environmental impacts associated with single-driver commuting.

"We appreciate the efforts of these employers, who share a commitment to reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality," said KMMExecutive Director Bill Neary.

Organizations qualify at the bronze, silver, gold and platinum level depending on the programs that they offer. Activities range from providing transit schedules at the work site, allowing employees to deduct their commuting costs from their paychecks on a pre-tax basis, providing telecommuting and flextime programs, hosting vanpool and carpool formation meetings, and providing on-site amenities to reduce employees' travel requirements.

Employers earning the platinum designation were Rutgers University and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; gold awardees were Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Systems, C&D Detergents and IEEE.

Brunswick Square Mall, Route 18, East Brunswick, was among the silverlevel awardees. The mall works with the county and state to offer several drop-off and pickup destinations involving two NJ Transit buses and two shuttle buses provided byMiddlesex County. Residents and mall employees can use the NJ Transit buses to get to and from New Brunswick, East Brunswick, South River, Old Bridge, Monroe and Jamesburg, while both shuttle buses travel to assisted living facilities and shopping destinations in the East Brunswick area.

"We are honored that the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Keep Middlesex Moving have recognized Brunswick Square Mall as one of New Jersey's Smart Workplaces," said Brunswick Square Mall Director of Mall Marketing Renée Billy. "As an integral part of the community, we are proud to support a program that provides alternative transportation options that ultimately help improve the environment."

Also earning silver status were KMM, Colgate-Palmolive Co., and the township of Edison.

Middlesex County-based bronze awardees were the East Brunswick Public Library; the townships of East Brunswick, Piscataway and Woodbridge; the Metuchen Public Library; Middlesex County; the law firm of Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas; and Dr. Granville Brady Jr.