13 February 2008
Valentines Day marks the one year anniversary of Auckland Airport's Lift travel plan and the company has taken a novel approach to celebrating the first birthday by coinciding the event with the day of love.
The Lift travel plan is about helping airport employees to find ways of getting to work differently. The plan encourages the use of car pooling, bus services, cycling and motorbikes, and urges staff to explore these greener, cheaper, easy commuting options.
The company is encouraging all those who work within the airport community to "share the love" on Valentines Day and join up to the airport's car pooling programme.
"Who knows, you might even meet your perfect match by car pooling," says Martin Fryer, Auckland Airport's Sustainability Advisor.
With over 10,000 people working at Auckland airport, the company is hoping that the first birthday events will encourage staff to reflect on their current travel methods and adopt one of the Lift options. To date almost 500 staff from Aviation Security, Menzies, Air New Zealand, MAF, Customs and Auckland Airport have registered for carpooling, and the programme is now being opened up to include all companies based at the airport.
In theme with Valentines Day, airport workers will receive free coffee and heart shaped chocolates if they register for car pooling. Existing users of the Lift programme will also receive the coffee and chocolate treats to thank them for their participation over the last year.
Everyone involved in the Lift programme will go in the draw to win some fabulous romantic prizes, including flights for two to Wellington or Christchurch with Pacific Blue, two weekends away in the Bay of Islands from Tourism Holdings and double movie passes.
Over the last year an agreement has been reached with Airbus on providing a discounted fare for airport staff (upon showing Airport ID) of just $4.00 each way and in the spirit of the event, Airbus will be giving away two monthly travel passes and 10 Explore More merchandise packs will be up for grabs.
Representatives from Cycle City in Manukau and Scooter E-motion will be on hand to discuss alternative transport means such as cycles and scooters, and Gilltrap Motors will be showcasing their latest fuel efficient low emission vehicles.
The car pooling programme has proven a popular choice for many. Specially designed rideshare software from Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) enables airport workers to 'match up' with potential car pooling partners through the Lift website (www.liftataucklandairport.co.nz).
"Carpooling definitely saves me money and I feel I am doing my bit for the environment by reducing traffic and air pollution. Also, carpooling helps relieve the stress of rush hour traffic, you are so busy chatting to your work colleague that the trip home just flies by," says airport worker Ainslie Stevenson.
Martin says travel plans are seen as an important part of the jigsaw in the sustainable transport system, and studies in the UK have shown that such plans can reduce the proportion of car journeys by at least 18%.
"Each day, over 80,000 vehicles travel to and from Auckland Airport. With the growth in passengers and staff at Auckland Airport, it is expected that this demand will increase by around 90% by the year 2015, placing pressure on the roads to and within the airport precinct and causing frustration for airport staff and passengers alike."
For further information, please contact:
Sarah Aldworth
Communications Manager
Auckland Airport
+64 0 274 746 483