King County Metro Transit is launching an “In Motion” program on Kent’s East Hill to entice residents to get around by walking, cycling, riding the bus or train, and sharing rides.
Program participants receive detailed travel information and earn rewards when they reduce their driving over a period of time.
During the first week of June, about 3,500 households on the East Hill are receiving an In Motion mailer with information about local travel options that emphasize the health, cost-savings and community benefits of driving less. The mailing features a neighborhood map showing bus routes throughout the East Hill area, and destinations near Southeast 240th Street and 104th Ave Southeast that are reachable by a short bike ride or walk.
Residents are invited to register as participants to receive more information and free ride tickets for Metro and Sound Transit. If they pledge to drive less, they can earn rewards that continue through September. Rewards include a shopping tote bag, pre-loaded ORCA transit cards, and gift cards from local businesses. Kent merchants benefit, too, from the increased emphasis on shopping locally. Several businesses have donated items for three prize drawings, including a Diamondback mountain bike and $100 gift cards to Kent Station.
Two organizations involved in the Kent community will help with outreach. The Lucy Lopez Center will offer information to Spanish-speaking participants, and ReWA (Refugee Women’s Alliance) will help Russian speakers. Metro’s other partners in the effort are the City of Kent’s Kent4Health program and the Kent Chamber of Commerce’s East Hill Partnership.
Over the past six years, Metro’s grant-funded In Motion program has reached residents in more than 20 King County neighborhoods. Metro estimates the popular programs have reduced more than 1.3 million miles of driving, 66,000 gallons of gas, and 674 tons of CO2 emissions.
Information is available at www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/MetroTransit/InMotion/KentEastHill.aspx,” or by calling the In Motion hotline at 206-296-3455.
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