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Republican National Convention & CivicFest Commuter Resources & Recommendations

From August 29 - September 4, 2008 the spotlight will shine on Minneapolis and St Paul as we host the estimated 200,000 visitors attending the Republican National Convention (RNC) and CivicFest.

During this time we encourage employers and employees to develop alternative commute plans to avoid the anticipated increase in congestion in the Downtown core.

We anticipate an increase in traffic congestion from 2 pm - 6 pm, Tuesday, September 2 through Thursday, September 4, and the morning of Friday, September 5.

Here are some suggestions for employees and employers on how to avoid potential delays:

Flexible Schedules

If your company has a flexible schedule program in place, take advantage of it! Arriving early and leaving early, or arriving late and leaving late will help you avoid peak congestion periods.
If your company doesn't have a flexible schedule program in place, consider implementing one for employees who live east of Minneapolis and use the 94 corridor. With the addition of 100+ shuttle buses taking delegates to St. Paul, commuters who use this corridor will most likely see an increase in traffic congestion.
Get a recommended flex-time schedule during the RNC & CivicFest here!

Bike / Walk to and from Core

When the core of downtown is congested, you can often walk or bike out of the core faster than those using motorized vehicles. Parking along the periphery and walking or biking to/from the core of downtown could speed up your commute time.
Bring your bike to work on the bus or train and bike home.
If buses are stalled in traffic, try walking out of the core and catching a bus on the periphery of downtown. You might be able to catch a bus that leaves earlier than your usual time but has been delayed in traffic.
Take advantage of expanded bicycle parking during the convention! Click here for a map!

Use Transit Instead of Driving

Take advantage of park and ride lots along your commuting route.
Consider biking, walking, or carpooling to the park and ride lot so they don't fill up.

Share the Ride

Consider carpooling for that week. If it works well, you can consider carpooling on a more frequent basis. Find a carpool partner at metrotransit.org.
Share a ride and share a walk. Park on the edge of town and enjoy a walk with your carpool partner that week. You'll speed up your commute time and get some time in the sun.
If you currently carpool, consider adding more people to your pool that week.

Telework

If your company has a telework policy in place and we do experience periods of heavy traffic congestion, consider working from home.
Try teleworking for FREE
- Through the Republcian National Convention, Citrix Online will be offering Minneapolis residents the freedom to assemble – online – to avoid traffic congestion. GoToMyPC, GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar are free to area residents for 45 days.
- Citrix Online enables single workers and groups to work remotely and collaboratively. Using GoToMyPC, employees can quickly and securely connect to their office computers and access their desktops. GoToMeeting enables users to communicate with only an internet connection using free VoIP (no long distance charges), and is Mac compatible, enabling users to Web Commute from across town, yet successfully communicate using both visual and auditory tools.
- The free services are available at www.gotomypc.com/webcommuting or www.gotomeeting.com/webcommuting.

Commuter Fairs

Invite the TMO to your work site to help develop alternative commuting plans. We can help people with trip planning for those who want to try transit or biking for the first time. We also have free skyway maps, discount carpool parking maps, and bike maps.

Freewheelin' at the RNC!

Through a unique partnership between Humana, a Fortune 100 health benefits company, and Bikes Belong, a nonprofit biking advocacy group, the Freewheelin bike sharing experience will be in Denver and the Twin Cities during the conventions. Each host city will be outfitted with 1,000 bikes for free use during the convention week.
Click here to register!
Click here for a map of Freehweelin bike station locations.

Resources

Expanded bicycle parking during the convention! Click here for a map!
Planned Lane Closures in Minneapolis
St. Paul Transit Service Map during RNC (pdf)
Alternative Commute Plan Suggestions for Employers (pdf)
Downtown map with periphery parking, bike lanes & 50 cent downtown zone transit fare (pdf)
Contact us to schedule a commuter information fair.


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			What's New? > RNC & CivicFest
	What's New Newsletter & Announcements Manage Subscriptions July 08 April 08 Event Calendar Weather Forecast		Printer Friendly Text Republican National Convention & CivicFest Commuter Resources & Recommendations From August 29 - September 4, 2008 the spotlight will shine on Minneapolis and St Paul as we host the estimated 200,000 visitors attending the Republican National Convention (RNC) and CivicFest. During this time we encourage employers and employees to develop alternative commute plans to avoid the anticipated increase in congestion in the Downtown core. We anticipate an increase in traffic congestion from 2 pm - 6 pm, Tuesday, September 2 through Thursday, September 4, and the morning of Friday, September 5. Here are some suggestions for employees and employers on how to avoid potential delays: Flexible Schedules If your company has a flexible schedule program in place, take advantage of it! Arriving early and leaving early, or arriving late and leaving late will help you avoid peak congestion periods. If your company doesn't have a flexible schedule program in place, consider implementing one for employees who live east of Minneapolis and use the 94 corridor. With the addition of 100+ shuttle buses taking delegates to St. Paul, commuters who use this corridor will most likely see an increase in traffic congestion. Get a recommended flex-time schedule during the RNC & CivicFest here! Bike / Walk to and from Core When the core of downtown is congested, you can often walk or bike out of the core faster than those using motorized vehicles. Parking along the periphery and walking or biking to/from the core of downtown could speed up your commute time. Bring your bike to work on the bus or train and bike home. If buses are stalled in traffic, try walking out of the core and catching a bus on the periphery of downtown. You might be able to catch a bus that leaves earlier than your usual time but has been delayed in traffic. Take advantage of expanded bicycle parking during the convention! Click here for a map! Use Transit Instead of Driving Take advantage of park and ride lots along your commuting route. Consider biking, walking, or carpooling to the park and ride lot so they don't fill up. Share the Ride Consider carpooling for that week. If it works well, you can consider carpooling on a more frequent basis. Find a carpool partner at metrotransit.org. Share a ride and share a walk. Park on the edge of town and enjoy a walk with your carpool partner that week. You'll speed up your commute time and get some time in the sun. If you currently carpool, consider adding more people to your pool that week. Telework If your company has a telework policy in place and we do experience periods of heavy traffic congestion, consider working from home. Try teleworking for FREE Through the Republcian National Convention, Citrix Online will be offering Minneapolis residents the freedom to assemble – online – to avoid traffic congestion. GoToMyPC, GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar are free to area residents for 45 days. Citrix Online enables single workers and groups to work remotely and collaboratively. Using GoToMyPC, employees can quickly and securely connect to their office computers and access their desktops. GoToMeeting enables users to communicate with only an internet connection using free VoIP (no long distance charges), and is Mac compatible, enabling users to Web Commute from across town, yet successfully communicate using both visual and auditory tools. The free services are available at www.gotomypc.com/webcommuting or www.gotomeeting.com/webcommuting. Commuter Fairs Invite the TMO to your work site to help develop alternative commuting plans. We can help people with trip planning for those who want to try transit or biking for the first time. We also have free skyway maps, discount carpool parking maps, and bike maps. Freewheelin' at the RNC! Through a unique partnership between Humana, a Fortune 100 health benefits company, and Bikes Belong, a nonprofit biking advocacy group, the Freewheelin bike sharing experience will be in Denver and the Twin Cities during the conventions. Each host city will be outfitted with 1,000 bikes for free use during the convention week. Click here to register! Click here for a map of Freehweelin bike station locations. Resources Expanded bicycle parking during the convention! Click here for a map! Planned Lane Closures in Minneapolis St. Paul Transit Service Map during RNC (pdf) Alternative Commute Plan Suggestions for Employers (pdf) Downtown map with periphery parking, bike lanes & 50 cent downtown zone transit fare (pdf) Contact us to schedule a commuter information fair.

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