Celebrating 20 Years: 1992-2012
Organization Mission and Mandate
Transportation Options (T.O.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable travel and tourism ideas and innovations by engaging in research, project development, and promotion of choices that are healthy, integrated, convenient, economically beneficial, and environmentally sound.
T.O.’s mandate is to work together with key industries and their stakeholders, many of whom traditionally do not work together, to develop transportation systems, infrastructure and policies that are efficient, encourage a range of transportation choices, and support vibrant communities and healthy economies.
Organization Background
Transportation Options works in partnership with business, government, and the community to promote and develop economic benefits and innovations related to sustainable transportation and tourism. Incorporated in 1992, T.O. established itself with a major international conference in Toronto in 1998, showcasing over 150 success stories where sustainable transportation has created jobs, boosted business, saved money, or revitalized local economies.
In the new millennium, we have been carrying out projects, partnerships, research and marketing aimed at: increasing the range of win-win transportation choices, attracting investment and creating meaningful jobs in sustainable transportation and tourism. Although we are based in the Toronto, we work with partners and regions across the province, across Canada and we are connected to a growing network of international sustainable transportation and tourism efforts.
In 2004, T.O.’s New Mobility HUB Network project developed and launched Toronto's first integrated transportation HUB, and created partnerships with a project working committee made up of 15 organizations. Metrolinx, the regional transportation authority for the Greater Toronto Area, has adopted the HUB concept and is investing in the development of a network across the GTA.
T.O.'s proven track record of successful projects and collaborative partnerships continues with the award-winning Bike Train Initiative, which has introduced roll-on-roll-off bike service to select routes on the VIA Rail, GO Transit and Ontario Northland network; the expanding Welcome Cyclists Network that has already certified over 400 Ontario accommodations, restaurants and attractions as “bicycle friendly”; the Ontario Cycle Tourism Forum, which brought key players in the industry together for the first time in 2009; and Parkbus, our newest initiative launching express bus service to Ontario Parks and outdoor recreation destinations in Ontario.
Board of Directors and Staff Team
Transportation Options Board members have a wealth of experience in sustainable transportation, tourism and environmental initiatives. Our record of partnership-building and stakeholder engagement is substantial - our projects have historically engaged a variety of stakeholders from all levels of government, private industry, and community associations, and one of our primary current roles is as a link tank, bringing together organizations with different directives to work together on projects that enhance economic opportunities in sustainable transportation.
Board of Directors:
Beth Jones (Chair)
Michael Pretty (Past Chair)
Kelly Zorzi (Secretary/Treasurer)
Pauline Craig
Vincent de Tourdonnet
Nicole Leaper
Rachel Dodds
David Roberts
David Todd
Staff Team:
Louisa Mursell, Projects Director: 416-392-1556
Vivien Leong,Welcome Cyclists Network Manager: 416 338 5083
Joanne Hurley, Finance and Administration: 416-338-0499
Boris Issaev, Project Manager – Parkbus: 647-886-0984
Alex Berlyand, Operations Manager – Parkbus: 416-454-5215
Organization Mission and Mandate
Transportation Options (T.O.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable travel and tourism ideas and innovations by engaging in research, project development, and promotion of choices that are healthy, integrated, convenient, economically beneficial, and environmentally sound.
T.O.’s mandate is to work together with key industries and their stakeholders, many of whom traditionally do not work together, to develop transportation systems, infrastructure and policies that are efficient, encourage a range of transportation choices, and support vibrant communities and healthy economies.
Organization Background
Transportation Options works in partnership with business, government, and the community to promote and develop economic benefits and innovations related to sustainable transportation and tourism. Incorporated in 1992, T.O. established itself with a major international conference in Toronto in 1998, showcasing over 150 success stories where sustainable transportation has created jobs, boosted business, saved money, or revitalized local economies.
In the new millennium, we have been carrying out projects, partnerships, research and marketing aimed at: increasing the range of win-win transportation choices, attracting investment and creating meaningful jobs in sustainable transportation and tourism. Although we are based in the Toronto, we work with partners and regions across the province, across Canada and we are connected to a growing network of international sustainable transportation and tourism efforts.
In 2004, T.O.’s New Mobility HUB Network project developed and launched Toronto's first integrated transportation HUB, and created partnerships with a project working committee made up of 15 organizations. Metrolinx, the regional transportation authority for the Greater Toronto Area, has adopted the HUB concept and is investing in the development of a network across the GTA.
T.O.'s proven track record of successful projects and collaborative partnerships continues with the award-winning Bike Train Initiative, which has introduced roll-on-roll-off bike service to select routes on the VIA Rail, GO Transit and Ontario Northland network; the expanding Welcome Cyclists Network that has already certified over 400 Ontario accommodations, restaurants and attractions as “bicycle friendly”; the Ontario Cycle Tourism Forum, which brought key players in the industry together for the first time in 2009; and Parkbus, our newest initiative launching express bus service to Ontario Parks and outdoor recreation destinations in Ontario.
Board of Directors and Staff Team
Transportation Options Board members have a wealth of experience in sustainable transportation, tourism and environmental initiatives. Our record of partnership-building and stakeholder engagement is substantial - our projects have historically engaged a variety of stakeholders from all levels of government, private industry, and community associations, and one of our primary current roles is as a link tank, bringing together organizations with different directives to work together on projects that enhance economic opportunities in sustainable transportation.
Board of Directors:
Beth Jones (Chair)
Michael Pretty (Past Chair)
Kelly Zorzi (Secretary/Treasurer)
Pauline Craig
Vincent de Tourdonnet
Nicole Leaper
Rachel Dodds
David Roberts
David Todd
Staff Team:
Louisa Mursell, Projects Director: 416-392-1556
Vivien Leong,Welcome Cyclists Network Manager: 416 338 5083
Joanne Hurley, Finance and Administration: 416-338-0499
Boris Issaev, Project Manager – Parkbus: 647-886-0984
Alex Berlyand, Operations Manager – Parkbus: 416-454-5215
