Organization Mission and Mandate
Transportation Options (T.O.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable transportation and tourism ideas and innovations by providing organizational structure and support to projects and innovations 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.
Vision
To build vibrant communities through sustainable transportation and tourism programs and innovations.
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, Moving the Economy, 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 expanding Ontario By Bike Network (formerly the Welcome Cyclists Network) that works with destinations to develop and promote cycle tourism and has certified over 1,000 Ontario accommodations, restaurants and attractions as “bicycle friendly”; the 2013 and 2009 Cycle Tourism Forum's, which brought key players in the industry together for two successful conferences; the award-winning Bike Train Initiative, which introduced roll-on-roll-off bike service to select routes on the VIA Rail, GO Transit and Ontario Northland network; and the Parkbus, initiative with express bus service to Provincial and National 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.
Staff Team:
Louisa Mursell, Executive Director
Peter McMurtry, Project Coordinator - Ontario By Bike
Jennifer Miao, Finance and Administration
Boris Issaev, Project Manager – Parkbus
Alex Berlyand, Operations Manager – Parkbus
Learn more about our staff team at: www.ontariobybike.ca/network & www.parkbus.ca/about
Board of Directors:
Michael Bertuzzi (Chair)
Professor & Program Coordinator, Centennial College School of Hospitality,Tourism and Culinary Arts
Michael is passionate about tourism and nature. He has worked developing adventure travel companies in Asia, managing hospitality programs at multiple Olympic Games and leading the tourism portfolio for the City of Toronto. He is a Professor and Coordinator of Tourism at the Centennial College School of Hospitality,Tourism and Culinary Arts and can often be found enjoying the outdoors throughout Ontario with his three young boys.
Jennifer Tracy (Treasurer)
Senior Director, Strategic Communications & Guest Experience, Toronto Zoo
She has a proven track record in effective communications particularly in areas specific to marketing, media relations, public and member opinion research, community and external relations, strategic planning as well as government and stakeholder relations. She has overall responsibility for all guest-facing aspects of the Toronto Zoo operations ranging from Guest Relations to Learning and Engagement and the Volunteer Program. She is committed to wildlife conservation and furthering a greater understanding of our natural world and the urgent need to take actions today to preserve it for future generations.
Greg Elmhirst (Vice President)
General Manager, Elmhirst's Resort
Greg is a life-long resort brat who lives and works on his family owned and operated resort on Rice Lake near Peterborough, Ontario. He is the fourth generation to steer Elmhirst’s Resort, a highly regarded and progressive small business. He continues a long-standing family tradition in tourism advocacy. Building on the foundation of previous generations in the tourism industry he has added a new focus at Elmhirst’s on experience development and delivery, sustainability, and the building of a resort team for future success. In his spare time, he has been known to turn a pedal on the road and in cyclocross as an avid enthusiast. His always entertaining wife Martina runs the Spa@Elmhirst’s and they have raised 3 generally terrific children together.
Terrence Eta (Secretary)
Founder & General Manager, Toronto Bicycle Tours & Events
Terrence is a dynamic business builder and consultant based in Toronto, Ontario. He is the founder of Toronto Bicycle Tours & Events, an award-winning outfit recognized for its impactful cultural and historical tours of Toronto. Terrence also offers change management, project management, and business advisory services to a diverse range of organizations.
Patricia Harris
CPA Ontario
Kathy Stewart
Transportation Options (T.O.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable transportation and tourism ideas and innovations by providing organizational structure and support to projects and innovations 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.
Vision
To build vibrant communities through sustainable transportation and tourism programs and innovations.
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, Moving the Economy, 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 expanding Ontario By Bike Network (formerly the Welcome Cyclists Network) that works with destinations to develop and promote cycle tourism and has certified over 1,000 Ontario accommodations, restaurants and attractions as “bicycle friendly”; the 2013 and 2009 Cycle Tourism Forum's, which brought key players in the industry together for two successful conferences; the award-winning Bike Train Initiative, which introduced roll-on-roll-off bike service to select routes on the VIA Rail, GO Transit and Ontario Northland network; and the Parkbus, initiative with express bus service to Provincial and National 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.
Staff Team:
Louisa Mursell, Executive Director
Peter McMurtry, Project Coordinator - Ontario By Bike
Jennifer Miao, Finance and Administration
Boris Issaev, Project Manager – Parkbus
Alex Berlyand, Operations Manager – Parkbus
Learn more about our staff team at: www.ontariobybike.ca/network & www.parkbus.ca/about
Board of Directors:
Michael Bertuzzi (Chair)
Professor & Program Coordinator, Centennial College School of Hospitality,Tourism and Culinary Arts
Michael is passionate about tourism and nature. He has worked developing adventure travel companies in Asia, managing hospitality programs at multiple Olympic Games and leading the tourism portfolio for the City of Toronto. He is a Professor and Coordinator of Tourism at the Centennial College School of Hospitality,Tourism and Culinary Arts and can often be found enjoying the outdoors throughout Ontario with his three young boys.
Jennifer Tracy (Treasurer)
Senior Director, Strategic Communications & Guest Experience, Toronto Zoo
She has a proven track record in effective communications particularly in areas specific to marketing, media relations, public and member opinion research, community and external relations, strategic planning as well as government and stakeholder relations. She has overall responsibility for all guest-facing aspects of the Toronto Zoo operations ranging from Guest Relations to Learning and Engagement and the Volunteer Program. She is committed to wildlife conservation and furthering a greater understanding of our natural world and the urgent need to take actions today to preserve it for future generations.
Greg Elmhirst (Vice President)
General Manager, Elmhirst's Resort
Greg is a life-long resort brat who lives and works on his family owned and operated resort on Rice Lake near Peterborough, Ontario. He is the fourth generation to steer Elmhirst’s Resort, a highly regarded and progressive small business. He continues a long-standing family tradition in tourism advocacy. Building on the foundation of previous generations in the tourism industry he has added a new focus at Elmhirst’s on experience development and delivery, sustainability, and the building of a resort team for future success. In his spare time, he has been known to turn a pedal on the road and in cyclocross as an avid enthusiast. His always entertaining wife Martina runs the Spa@Elmhirst’s and they have raised 3 generally terrific children together.
Terrence Eta (Secretary)
Founder & General Manager, Toronto Bicycle Tours & Events
Terrence is a dynamic business builder and consultant based in Toronto, Ontario. He is the founder of Toronto Bicycle Tours & Events, an award-winning outfit recognized for its impactful cultural and historical tours of Toronto. Terrence also offers change management, project management, and business advisory services to a diverse range of organizations.
Patricia Harris
CPA Ontario
Kathy Stewart
Celebrating 30 Years
1992 - 2022
Proud of all our achievements, programming and longevity as a not for profit organization in Ontario, Transportation Options celebrated 30 years in 2022/2023!
Celebrating 20 Years
1992 - 2012
Transportation Options has been developing innovative programming for 20 years !
1992 - 2022
Proud of all our achievements, programming and longevity as a not for profit organization in Ontario, Transportation Options celebrated 30 years in 2022/2023!
Celebrating 20 Years
1992 - 2012
Transportation Options has been developing innovative programming for 20 years !
Contact Us By Phone:
416-827-2774 or Toll Free: 1-866-701-2774
416-827-2774 or Toll Free: 1-866-701-2774