WeDriveU continued its tradition of sponsoring the Association for Commuter Transportation’s year-end webinar, which celebrates transportation professionals working to advance sustainable mobility options. 

The December 2024 webinar “New Year’s Resolutions for People-First Organizations” (listen here) explored how the New Year brings opportunities to impact our work in the transportation industry by creating organizations where people thrive and where future leaders feel inspired.

ACT’s upbeat discussion featured transportation leaders Paul Merkey, Associate Director of Transportation and Parking at Northwestern University; Kate Harrington, Director of Outreach and Engagement at Movability; Mijay Pavon, VP of People at Spare; and moderator Marissa Basile, Senior Director of Customer Success at WeDriveU.     

Putting People First in Transportation

The panel shared their goals and plans for putting people first in 2025, symbolizing a culture that places people at the heart of mobility. It reflects caring for and connecting passengers while providing meaningful career opportunities and a work-life balance for our transportation workforce to help everyone reach their highest potential. 

Bright Outlook

Panelists shared what’s on the horizon in 2025, with resolutions such as:

• Applying TDM (Transportation Demand Management) strategies and toolkits to increase awareness around the value of commute alternatives as more than a “should-do” for long, difficult commutes, especially given that transportation costs exceed the cost of food for many communities 
• Inspiring new behaviors by helping people to not just realize but feel the benefits by collaborating with partners such as employers and transit agencies on toolkits, something that’s been successful in Austin, Texas 
• Optimizing ridership and understanding how project changes impact people and surrounding areas
• Focusing on connections with employers encourages an ‘all above the above approach’ rather than focusing on one type of transportation solution 
• Acknowledging the collective ecosystem of software users engaged in mobility systems (e.g., riders, dispatchers, administrative staff, reservationists, drivers) and taking feedback from all user types to generate long-term improvements
• Slowing down to celebrate small work-related & personal wins and remaining in the moment
• Embracing technology and new tools to optimize work/life balance
• Organizational adaptation as it relates to employee needs and demographic changes 
• Extending the benefits of internal employee resource groups beyond organizational boundaries and expanding the knowledge base for internal members

New Year Word Cloud

Panelists and attendees were asked to choose one word that describes their vision and energy heading into 2025. 

What’s Next?

WeDriveU is excited to begin 2025 cheering for Marissa Basile as incoming Chair of ACT’s Shuttle Council. She takes the helm from the council’s founding Chair, Joanna Rustin.

We’re grateful to ACT for hosting the webinar and for partnering with us on programs that make lasting impacts within our industry and communities. 

WeDriveU is a leader in shared mobility solutions for communities, campuses and workplaces and proudly serves transit agencies, universities and employers with fixed-route bus, paratransit service, micro-transit and on-demand services. Browse this site at www.wedriveu.com to explore solutions and careers. 

Learn about ACT and join WeDriveU at ACT’s 39th Annual International Conference in New Orleans, LA., Aug. 3-6, 2025. Can’t wait for NOLA? Connect with us and let’s start brainstorming.