Alternate Modes Save You Money

Driving alone in your vehicle for your work commutes may cost you upwards of $12-$18 per day (around $4,000 per year), including fuel and operating costs. And if you work downtown, you probably have to pay for parking on top of that.

Pima County offers benefits to us employees who choose alternate modes.

• Take the bus to work with a monthly subsidized bus pass costing employees a mere $10, while regular monthly passes cost $28.
• Carpool to work, and besides splitting operation and parking costs with your carpool buddy (or buddies), get discounted parking rates at County lots.
• Bicycle to work and use a bike garage for a $10 deposit and $1 per paycheck.
• Use an alternate mode at least twice a week, and then you can get a voucher for a free taxi ride home in case of an emergency through the Guaranteed Ride Home Program.

There are lots of benefits to using alternate modes of transportation besides saving money. Think about it…we can get:

• Cleaner air
  
• Improved respiratory and heart health
  
• Increased exercise time
  
• Reduced stress
  
• More personal time
  
• Reduced global warming
  
• Reduced dependence on foreign oil
  
• Beautiful mountain views

Give alternate modes a try.

Contact karen.wilhelmsen@deq.pima.gov for a free 2-ride bus pass to try transit, to sign up with the Guaranteed Ride Home Program, or with questions about using alternate modes.

Contact Pima Association of Governments for an on-line carpool/vanpool matching system or call them at 792-1093.

Coping With the High Cost of Prescription Medications

On March 4th, the Pima County Board of Supervisors launched their Prescription Discount Card Program to help Pima County employees, residents and families cope with the high cost of prescription medications. The County is making the free prescription discount cards available in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo) offering discounts on prescription medications not covered by insurance.

The Health Department will be distributing these discount cards (available in English and Spanish) through Health Department offices, other county departments and through community partners, such as schools, businesses, community organizations, and health clinics.

These cards offer average savings of 20% off prescription medication not covered under insurance (including pet prescription medications) at any of the 99 participating pharmacies throughout Pima County.

There are no enrollment fees, eligibility requirements. One Discount Card services the whole family. Please note that this is a Discount Prescription Card and not medical insurance.

If you are interested in learning more or to participate in the distribution of these Prescription Discount Cards, please contact the Pima County Health Department at 243-7772 or visit www.pimahealth.org/NACO for more information about this program.

Use the T.I.C.E.T.—Reduce Downtown Workday Miles Driven

Downtown workers can save gas, time, money, and air quality by using the Tucson Inner City Express Transit (T.I.C.E.T.). Have a meeting at the UofA? Have plans to go to lunch on 4th Avenue? Need to get over to the Commerce Park Loop? Consider leaving your vehicles and the County motor pool vehicles parked…the T.I.C.E.T. can get you there!

The T.I.C.E.T. is a free shuttle running on five routes through the Downtown area, five to seven days a week depending upon the route. The free shuttles provide a convenient way to take you to your too-far-to-walk meetings or errands, or can take you from your parking spot to nearly any Downtown location. Funded by parking revenues, T.I.C.E.T. is sponsored by the City of Tucson's ParkWise program. All vehicles are handicap accessible. General route information is listed below.

Orange Route: Stops between Tucson City Court and Manning House, Monday-Friday from 6:00AM-6:00PM, 20 minute intervals, 7 stops, 2 transfer points

Green Route: Stops between Hotel Congress and Catalina Parking Lot, Monday-Friday from 6:00AM-6:00PM, 20 minute intervals, 6 stops, 3 transfer points

Yellow Express Route: Stops between Old Pima County Courthouse and Catalina Parking Lot, Monday-Friday from 6:30AM-9:00AM and 3:00PM-5:30PM, 10 minute intervals, 5 stops, 2 transfer points

Redline Route: Stops between Pennington Street Garage, 4th Avenue, and UofA Main Gate, Sunday-Tuesday from 10:00AM-10:00PM, 30 minute intervals; Wednesday-Saturday from 10:00AM-2:30AM, 30 minute intervals, 25 stops, 1 transfer point

Commerce Park Shuttle: Stops between Armory Park and Commerce Park Loop, Monday-Friday from 6:30AM - 5:30PM, 30 minute intervals, 11 stops, 2 transfer points

Reducing the miles you drive helps keep our air clean, saves gasoline and money, reduces congestion, and may even save you time.

Clean Air Days 2008 & Bike Fest are Here—Go Green for Blue Skies

Celebrate your green choices during the Clean Air Days and Bike Fest, March 30-April 24! Every time you step on the bus, go for a walk, ride a bike, or share rides instead of driving alone, you help keep our skies blue and our air healthy.

The month of April showcases lots of activities to celebrate, learn about, and commit to keeping our air clean. Many of the events will have free valet bicycle parking available. Below is the listing of these green events:

Pre-Celebration Event March 30: Movie Day at the Fox Theatre
April 1: Clean Air Days Contest begins
April 3: Green Commute Day
April 3: Green Commuting “Food for Thought” series at the Main Library
April 4: Walk & Roll to School Day
April 6: Beginners Bike Ride
April 6: Sun Tran Free Ride Day
April 7: Peter Zheutlin Slideshow on Annie Londonderry
April 10: Bike Commuting “Food for Thought” series at the Main Library
April 11: Bike 2 Work Celebrations Downtown and Eastside, or organize one at your workplace
April 12: Mayor’s Bike Ride
April 16: UofA Bike 2 Campus and Earth Day Celebration
April 17: Water Conservation “Food for Thought” series at the Main Library
April 19: Tucson Earth Day Festival and Parade
April 19: Bike to the Zoo
April 20: GABA Bike Swap Meet
April 20: Bike Scavenger Hunt
April 24: Green Home Building “Food for Thought” series at the Main Library
April 24: Clean Air Contest ends – entry forms due April 25

Find event details and information about the Clean Air Contest at www.cleanair.pima.gov or call us at 740-3947.

All participants entering the contest will win a Bookman’s gift certificate and a chance at one of many other prizes donated by local businesses.

For more details on the bicycling events and the Bike Movie Fest schedule featuring Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and more, check out www.dot.tucsonaz.gov/bikefest.

City & County Urge Safe Needle Disposal

Over the past year, recycling facility employees have been injured by needles that were improperly placed with other recyclables. In addition to the resulting physical injury, the employees are at risk of infection from viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis.

The City of Tucson’s Environmental Services Department, Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, and the Pima County Health Department are promoting safe disposal methods for needles and syringes to reduce the risk of injury to refuse and recycling center employees, as well as city and county residents.

Needles and syringes are hazardous medical waste and should be disposed of properly. To reduce the risk of needle stick injuries, the City of Tucson and Pima County are asking residents to dispose of needles and syringes in the following manner:

• Place all needles and syringes in a secured puncture proof plastic container with a screw-on lid (for example: a rigid detergent, bleach or fabric softener bottle).
• Clearly label the container “NON-RECYCLABLE” and dispose of it in your trash container.
• Once filled to no more than 2 inches from the top, tightly secure the lid and reinforce with duct tape.
• Place the container into your trash; do not place this container in with your other recyclables.

Additional recommendations to keep in mind:

• Keep your plastic container out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not use a glass container.
• Never put loose needles or syringes in the trash, blue barrels or with other recycling containers.
• Never flush needles or syringes down the toilet.

It is critical to public health and safety that needles and syringes are disposed of properly and safely. Needle stick injuries to municipal workers on the job, or to the public, are easily preventable.

For more information contact:
City of Tucson Environmental Services at 791-3171
Pima County Department of Environmental Quality at 740-3340
Pima County Health Department at 243-7912 or talk with your health care provider

What is ARAG?

ARAG offers prepaid legal and financial planning services to Pima County benefits eligible employees through payroll deduction.
for more information

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