6-24-2008

Hempstead, NY – The office of Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi today announced that Nassau County was awarded the 2008 Regional Commuter Choice Awards. This year marks the third annual Award presentation and was held at the Hempstead Long Island Rail Road station.

“Employees are looking to their companies for help in containing the high cost of commuting, and Nassau County is leading by example,” said County Executive Suozzi. “The Regional Commuter Choice program is proof of the growing public – private partnership that will continue to reduce Nassau County’s carbon footprint and keep us on the leading edge of environmental achievements.”

North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System was presented with the County Executive’s Leadership Award for commuter benefit programs that make an important and significant contribution to the environment and the economic health of Nassau County.

New York Metropolitan Transportation Council Executive Director, Joel P. Ettinger said, “We applaud today’s winners and their efforts to provide their employees with options to help them ‘green’ their commute. The more we can get people out of single occupancy vehicles and reduce congestion, the better for our environment.”

The County of Nassau and eight other employers were presented with awards recognizing their successful commute alternative programs that include car and vanpooling, pre-tax benefits, telecommuting, flex-time and bicycling.

Deputy County Executive Patrick Duggan hosted the ceremony on behalf of County Executive Suozzi and was joined at today’s event by Joel P. Ettinger, Executive Director, New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, Helena E. Williams, President of MTA Long Island Railroad, Marianne Carillo, President and CEO Long Island Transportation Management and members of the New York State Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Mobility Network.

“This is a sign of greater things to come not only for Hempstead, but for the entire County of Nassau,” stated Duggan. “The Village of Hempstead is a major transportation hub and it is only natural that future development should center around it. Congratulations to North Shore-LIJ Health System for encouraging carpooling and transit check use.”

The 2008 Regional Commuter Choice Award winners for Nassau are:

Leadership Award – For commuter benefit programs that make an important and significant contribution to the environment and the economic health of Nassau County.

Outstanding Achievement – For employers with a comprehensive commuter benefit program, a marketing plan and notable employee participation.

Innovation – For employers that have implemented a new or unique commuter benefit program within the last 12 months.

Honorable Mention

The Regional Commuter Choice Awards are coordinated annually by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council through the Metropolitan Mobility Network. The awards are given to employers in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester and Rockland counties and also New York City. The program recognizes employers that provide commuter benefit programs that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

For more information about the 2008 Regional Commuter Choice Awards, including a list of last year’s winners, please visit www.nymtc.org.

Nassau County Receives 2008 Regional Commuter Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement

Suozzi’s Leadership Award presented to North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System