You might say that Nova Scotia's Leslee Nicholson loves her job. Three times a week, she drives a whopping 430 kilometres to her job in Halifax- an arduous trek that's earned the Program Development Coordinator the title of Canada's Longest Commuter. The title was bestowed by tire manufacturer Goodyear Canada for Nicholson's 27 hour per week voyage- one which sees her spending an average of $150 per week on fuel.
The Longest Commuter Program was launched in September to bring to light the lengths many Canadians travel to and from work, and also to raise public awareness about the importance of road safety. A poll behind the program revealed that some 25 percent of commuters would accept a pay cut in exchange for a shorter commute, and that 13 percent have wanted to quit their jobs because of the drive.
For Nicholson, it's an unusual fact of life. Most commuters surveyed say that they'd be willing to travel no more than 30 minutes to get to work.
"People say life is a highway, and in my case, they're not kidding," said Nicholson. "I appreciate the honour from Goodyear, and what they are doing to remind the public to get there safely each and every day."
"While most Canadians don't have anything like Leslee's commute, whether you spend two minutes or two hours on the road, we want your first priority to be safety," said Ian McIntosh of Goodyear Canada. "At Goodyear, our part of the safety equation is to make the best tires even better, and it's a vision we have embraced since we got into the business 98 years ago."
For being Canada's Longest Commuter, Nichols gets bragging rights alongside a $5,000 prize package for her and her car- including, fuel and maintenance services. Of course, she gets a free set of Goodyear tires as well.
photo:Goodyear
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| Leslee Nicholson |
The Longest Commuter Program was launched in September to bring to light the lengths many Canadians travel to and from work, and also to raise public awareness about the importance of road safety. A poll behind the program revealed that some 25 percent of commuters would accept a pay cut in exchange for a shorter commute, and that 13 percent have wanted to quit their jobs because of the drive.
For Nicholson, it's an unusual fact of life. Most commuters surveyed say that they'd be willing to travel no more than 30 minutes to get to work.
"People say life is a highway, and in my case, they're not kidding," said Nicholson. "I appreciate the honour from Goodyear, and what they are doing to remind the public to get there safely each and every day."
"While most Canadians don't have anything like Leslee's commute, whether you spend two minutes or two hours on the road, we want your first priority to be safety," said Ian McIntosh of Goodyear Canada. "At Goodyear, our part of the safety equation is to make the best tires even better, and it's a vision we have embraced since we got into the business 98 years ago."
For being Canada's Longest Commuter, Nichols gets bragging rights alongside a $5,000 prize package for her and her car- including, fuel and maintenance services. Of course, she gets a free set of Goodyear tires as well.
photo:Goodyear