Can a Chatty Commute Make you Happier?

Written by Judy Bortman

Often my car radio is tuned to NPR (National Public Radio). A few days ago I heard an interview during morning drive time that presented a paradoxical idea. A university researcher was sharing his findings about communication between commuters.

The study found that talking to strangers on public transit made people happier and even healthier. I thought the topic was intriguing, especially because it contradicted what Mom had always said about not talking to strangers.

It turns out that keeping to ourselves on the bus or train may not be serving us well after all. It’s a social contradiction. According to Nicholas Epley and a PhD student, Juliana Schroeder, from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, striking up a conversation with a stranger gave lonely commuters a boost in happiness.

A Recent Commuter Study: An experiment in Chicago randomly assigned train and bus riders to either talk to the stranger next to them or commute quietly. The Result: Even for introverts, silence leaves you sadder. 

Epley and Booth found that people were much happier when talking to the commuter sitting next to them. In fact, they found that the other person was also happier.

Additionally, their research revealed that people misinterpreted the silence of fellow-commuters as “not wanting to talk.” It was a misguided cue interpreted as wanting to be left alone.

Epley and Booth urged commuters to be brave and start a conversation with a fellow commuter who may be just as eager for human communication. You can listen to the entire interview at NPR.org.

Do you prefer a "quiet commute?"
 
Some commuters really want to be left alone. They just want to "chill" during their ride to or from work and choose to refrain from conversation or even from using their cell phone.

If you prefer to read, work or just relax during your commute, seek out the Quiet Commute Car option that’s available on a growing number of NJ Transit trains.

"We heard from our customers that they want to enjoy the benefits of Quiet Commute cars on trains during off-peak hours in addition to peak periods, and we are taking action based directly on their recommendations," said Executive Director Veronique Hakim in a recent press release. "We want our customers to know that their feedback will continue to be the driving force behind NJ TRANSIT’s ongoing efforts to improve their overall experience on our system."

Learn more about Quiet Commute cars on NJ Transit Northeast Corridor trains.

If you’re seated next to a stranger on the train or a bus, would you start talking?

For me, it’s a personal preference. I’d trust my intuition and how I interpret the body language of the person sitting next to me. If he or she is actively involved in reading or has their head down and eyes focused on their smartphone, I’d leave them alone and respect their commuter “timeout.”

If they’re looking around or staring out the window, I’d give conversation a try. After all, research has confirmed that talking to “our neighbor” on the train or bus can make us happier. And who doesn’t want to be happier!

What would you do?

Why Carpool? It's more than just the cost of gas!

Written by Judy Bortman

TransOptions just concluded TripSwitch, a three-week challenge that encouraged motorists to "switch" a solo car ride for one that's smarter.

We developed this free, short-term campaign to motivate commuters to try an energy-efficient or shared ride to work. The idea was to walk, bike or carpool to your destination instead of driving alone. Participants could also combine modes for their trips such as walking or riding a bike to a train station or bus stop.

As if a smarter ride was not incentive enough, we sweetened the challenge with awards and raffle prizes. Participants had multiple chances to qualify to win an array of prizes including an iPod Shuffle and Yurbuds headphones, a FitBit, a solar recharging kit and a number of gift cards ranging from $75 to $250.

It has been said that, "timing is everything." Some months ago when we started planning TripSwitch, motorists were paying about $3.35 per gallon for regular gas. We believed that “switching” to a smarter ride would also lower the cost of commuting even more by saving money on fuel.

About three weeks ago, ironically right around the time TripSwitch started, gas prices started coming down. A gallon of regular gas currently sells for less than $2.90 in many northwest New Jersey towns. What timing!

At TransOptions employer and community events, I regularly ask current and prospective carpool riders why they decide to share a ride. Gas prices are definitely a large part of the equation. About five or six years ago when the price of a gallon of gas hovered around $4.00, our phone was ringing off the hook with people wanting to start carpooling.

Now that gas prices are $1.00+ per gallon lower, carpool riders have told us that they have additional reasons to carpool. Their replies to the question, "Why do you carpool?" consistently reveal that quality of life issues and the overall cost of commuting are also part of the equation.

What collectively matters most is:

• Saving money by sharing commuting costs
• Vehicle wear and tear
• Employer perks (preferred parking, financial incentives)
• Emergency Ride Home (registered carpool riders can receive a free ride home from TransOptions up to twice a year should an emergency arise)
• Camaraderie

I decided to reach out to several carpooling TripSwitch participants to learn what motivated them to share a ride and see if the quality of life hypothesis held up.

"Saving money on gas and reducing wear and tear on my vehicle," was the identical response from three carpoolers; one sought to help the environment.

When asked how frequently they carpool, Tom G. (28 carpool trips totaling 1,120 miles) replied, "every work day if possible."

Helen T. (34 carpool trips totaling 1,034 miles) and Laura P. (20 carpool trips totaling 1,000 miles) also carpool five days a week. For Sonya T. (18 carpool trips totaling 540 miles), three to four days is typical but when feasible, she will share the ride all five workdays.

Were these carpoolers new rideshare recruits or veteran venturers?

"I've been carpooling for 14 years," shared Laura. "About thirteen years," said Tom. Helen and Sonya were the newbies that I talked to, only having carpooled for two years and one year respectively.

"Camaraderie" was also a motivation for rideshare veteran Laura. We then turned to the subject of difficulties or obstacles to their carpooling and how they were handled.

We "worked through any difficulties, and every once in a while, one of us needs to leave and we have taken advantage of the free (emergency) ride home" said Tom.

Similar experiences were shared by the other responders. "The biggest difficulty is the last-minute change of plans," shared Helen.

Laura highlighted the problem of not "meeting on time." Their carpool group faced the issue of "one person needing to leave work early or stay late."

Sonya expressed similar concerns. "A few times one of us has ended up waiting for the other and a few times I had to find another ride home," she said. "Once and only once I used the 'free ride' when I just couldn't get a ride (home)."

Distance from work appears to be a strong motivator for carpool riders I've talked to. Helen, for example, lives 60 miles (one-way) from her office.

That being said, carpooling encompasses aspects beyond mileage, gas prices and vehicle wear and tear. It's also about quality of life and connecting with other people in person. Sharing a ride means the opportunity to share today's news, discuss the weather, check Traffic Alerts and not have to experience traffic delays alone.

Sharing a ride can be a time to wind up for the day, wind down at the end of the day and, if you choose, have continuity about family events and milestones.

With daylight savings ending and winter on the horizon, perhaps you, too, will be motivated to try carpooling and have company for the way home on those dark, cold weeknights.

Is this the year you'll switch your trip?

Our appreciation to all who participated in TripSwitch. Special thanks to Helen T., Laura P., Sonya T. and Tom G. for contributing to this post by sharing their carpool insights and experiences.

Embracing Challenge

Written by Judy Bortman

When you hear the word "challenge," how do you react? Are you eager to learn more and participate? Or does the word "challenge" make you want to run in the opposite direction?

Deciding whether to participate in a challenge is a timely topic that popped into my mind as we prepare to introduce TripSwitch, a free, short-term campaign encouraging people to switch their solo drive for a trip by walking, biking or carpooling. In addition to the sustainable benefits, all participants become eligible for a number of great prizes.

While preparing TripSwitch marketing materials, several questions came to mind:

• Do people ever change from being challenge-phobic to challenge-friendly?
• Would chances to win great prizes and the excitement of competition incent people to modify their behavior for a few days and “switch” to a trip by walking, biking or carpooling?
• Is altering your commute or mode of transportation too challenging? How could I motivate participation? Would naysayers even consider taking part?
• Are people who live in cities more likely to participate because they have access to a train station or bus stop?
• Does the type of challenge matter? Is a test of physical strength appealing to some while a Jeopardy-style trivia game attracts others?

There are two kinds of people...

I kept coming up with questions faster than I could find or figure out answers. It's my belief that people fall into two distinct camps on some matters, such as those who like anchovies on their pizza and those who don't.

Likewise, I suspect that there are people who like to participate in a challenge and those who prefer to stay away. You can’t do either half-heartedly. Either you participate in a challenge or you don't.

A person switching even a few trips would still be considered a TripSwitch participant and eligible to win prizes. I decided to research successful and noteworthy challenges as a Yoda-like way to understand their appeal, discover how to reach people and apply those insights to TripSwich marketing.

A recent, very visible and popular challenge came to mind. The Ice Bucket Challenge to benefit the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Association took the nation by storm thanks to social media. It attracted celebrities and professional athletes as well as everyday folks who endured being doused with a bucketful of ice water in order to raise awareness (and money!) for a worthy cause.

Note: The Ice Bucket Challenge lives on as a Halloween costume.

Nominating a minimum of three people to take the Ice Bucket Challenge was a component that kept the effort going through the late summer. As a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge the ALS Association increased awareness of its mission and received over $100 million in donations from over 700,000 new donors.

So why did the Ice Bucket Challenge catch on? Several reasons, I believe:

• Good timing - It took place during the summer.
• Short duration – The challenge itself took seconds, with just a bit more time for preparation and social media posting.
• Flexible - Participants could choose where and when they were doused and plan accordingly.
• Challenging only yourself – It was a challenge, not a competition. People challenged themselves - to be dunked or not to be dunked. For most, it was a new experience.
• Helping a cause - Increasing awareness of ALS and generating donations made people feel good which overshadowed a momentary chill.
• Boasting rights – Sharing your video on social media was tangible proof of your personal accomplishment and the reward for an act of kindness.

With a nod to Yoda, I saw parallels for The TripSwitch Challenge and motivating people “to do” not just “try”:

• Good timing – TripSwitch is taking place during October, ideal walking and biking weather.
• Short duration – It lasts only 21 days, from October 6th to 26th.
• Flexible - Participants can choose how, were and when they switch their trip.
• Challenging only yourself – Everyone who participates is a winner. People challenge themselves by taking a different mode of travel and feel good about their accomplishment. The more they switch the more chances to win prizes.
• Helping a cause – Improving the air we breathe and reducing traffic congestion are ways that TripSwitch participation helps sustainability.
• Boasting rights – Sharing your TripSwitch ride on our GoForGood Challenge site and sharing on social media is tangible proof of your personal accomplishment as well as an intrinsic reward.
• Increasing awareness – Participating in TripSwitch increases awareness of trip options and hopefully inspires participants to continue walking, biking or carpooling after the Challenge concludes.

 

Whether you prefer to embrace or avoid challenge, TripSwitch is a safe way to step outside your comfort zone. Plus it’s flexible, sustainable, will make you feel good about yourself and it’s free!

TripSwitch is now underway at GoForGood.TransOptions.org, but you can register at any time. We hope you'll join us!

What Employees Want

Written by Anne Adier-Vivino

Is traffic congestion in New Jersey impacting a business's ability to find and keep the talent they desire? For businesses located in the "burbs" of New Jersey, finding and retaining new and upcoming talent could pose more of a challenge as the millennial generation wants to be less reliant on cars and desire a multi-modal transportation system.

A recent study surveyed people aged 18 to 34 across 10 metro regions with varying levels of transit service. From Chicago to Tampa to Los Angeles, young people reported a preference for places that are walkable and transit-friendly. Four in five respondents reported they would like to live in a city where they could get around without a car. And almost three in four said neighborhoods without transit access were less appealing places to live.

Let's face it, getting into, out of and around New Jersey is taking a lot more time due to congested roadways, and with travel times getting longer, the drive to work can be incredibly stressful. With commuters spending more than an entire workweek delayed in traffic every year, getting to work is a leading frustration for employees.

Even in smaller urban areas, commuting is more of a hassle than ever before and as traffic congestion increases, so does its effect on the quality of life, roads and the environment.

Many consider the commute to work as part of their day and after an hour-plus commute, employees are arriving to work overwhelmed and overstressed. This often results in loss of productivity as well as time off due to stress-related illnesses.

Many employees accept this as the reality of their work life, but should they? And will they continue to do so?

The research tells us a resounding NO. The millennial generation, in particular, say that work life balance is of utmost importance and, truthfully, wouldn't we all like more free time in our day to do with as we please, rather than spending it stuck in traffic? There are simple solutions for businesses that can please employees of all generations.

Regardless of the location, employers can continue to attract new talent and retain current talent without offering pricey benefits. Many companies are turning to commute programs, offering employee incentives and solutions that encourage the use of commute alternatives like ridesharing, shuttles, teleworking, bicycle programs and utilizing NJ Transit.

Through these programs, they are successfully attracting and retaining employees. 

When seeking jobs, potential employees who may have otherwise overlooked the suburban location may find that these types of additional options for travel appealing and therefore expand their job searches. Current employees will be appreciative of opportunities that save them time and money. They will also arrive to work less stressed and ready to start their day.

 

Tech Innovation Targets Transportation

Written by Daniel Callas

So you’ve probably heard of Uber. You’ve probably heard of its competitor, Lyft. Maybe you’ve even heard of Sidecar, Zimride, Zipcar, Car2Go and others. If you haven’t yet, you will. The transportation sector is rich with innovation right now, and if you blink, you might miss the next latest and greatest thing.

Source: Uber

Uber, Sidecar and Lyft are all variations on the taxi concept, yet they’re causing commotion among the cab community and outside it. The three “ridesharing” companies (more on the term ridesharing later), have taken advantage of the widespread availability and use of mobile devices to reinvigorate and reinvent a technologically-lagging industry.

Under these new models, drivers use their own smartphones to connect with customers in search of a ride and, without any exchange of physical money, can provide rides in their own vehicles. They then get paid via the company app.

Riders can make pickup arrangements without leaving their seat at the restaurant or theater. The app tells them what they need to know: how much they’ll be charged, who will be picking them up and in what vehicle.

But innovation and disruption come at a cost.

These companies have drawn the ire of many taxi commissions, associations and government authorities across the globe for a myriad of reasons. From background checks and insurance issues to medallion investments and questions of legality, Uber, Lyft and the like are operating in a new (and yet to be regulated) realm, creating concern among various groups.

Among those groups are more traditional ridesharing organizations. These groups have pushed for Uber, Lyft and similar services to be categorized as “Transportation Network Companies” to distinguish non-profit ridesharing from their more taxi-like product. The terminology may seem trivial on the user level, but on a public policy level it has real implications when it comes to federal funding. Not to be outdone (by pesky nomenclature or each other’s advancements), Lyft and Uber have both recently announced true carpool services.

Source: TIME

Some cab agencies have responded by partnering with tech startups to offer their own mobile apps. Companies like Flywheel in San Francisco, and Curb and Hailo in other markets, have been working to get riders into taxis already on the road. In New York City, City Council member Ben Kallos admits that the city’s taxis have been disrupted and may need their own app to stay competitive.

Uber, however, may be positioning itself to be the “last man standing” in the app-driven ride provider ring. The company just hired former Obama campaign advisor David Plouffe to lead their push for acceptance in the 170 cities they call home around the world. Uber also recently engaged in a public spat with competitor Lyft after both companies accused each other of ordering and canceling rides on their app. Uber even suggested that Lyft was positioning itself to be bought out by Uber, which received a $17 billion valuation earlier this year. More on their back-and-forth here.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

And yet, other business models have emerged. BlaBlaCar, a French company, has begun offering similar ride sharing services, with one key difference: their drivers can’t turn it into a job. They keep tabs on fuel costs, insurance rates and taxes to make sure drivers are not reimbursed for more than the cost of the ride. By doing so, it avoids conflict with the seemingly threatened cab industry. ZimRide is another option that has found a niche market in the US, particularly on college campuses for carpooling home during breaks and as an option to get travelers to and from concerts or other events.

But it doesn’t stop with cars.

In Boston, on-demand busing is primed for takeoff, thanks to Bridj. The Cambridge-based startup is shaking up mass transit by using an algorithm based on GPS data, census figures and social media to deliver effective bus routes that can be adjusted in real-time to meet demand. 

Is plane-pooling on the horizon?

Not to be outdone, AirPooler is looking to match pilots to flyers, though that concept was dealt a significant setback earlier this month, when the FAA essentially deemed flight-sharing illegal. 

Sure there are plenty of new apps and companies to address the tech shortfall within the transportation sector, but some older players in the game aren’t waiting to be replaced. Celebrating its centennial this year, Greyhound has spread the availability of free WiFi on their updated fleet, and introduced a number of booking apps to increase efficiency and appeal to younger generations of travelers. 

Mobile apps seem to be the name of the game. And that’s no different among the carsharing crowd, which relies heavily on the reduced emphasis on ownership seen among the younger millennial generation. ZipCar, Car2Go and others have entered the market but not without their own concerns.

Volvo Trucks successfully tests
their road train.

The point is, we’ve seen an unbelievable amount of innovation and advancement in the transportation sector, but we’re far from the finish line. Driverless cars, Volvo’s car trains and magnetic levitation (maglev) trains are all projects that have made it out of the concept stage and are now being tested or even implemented in various regions of the world. The real benefit however, is the increased mobility and accessibility these technologies offer, and the challenge comes not in developing the tools, but in serving the populations that need them most.