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Connie Gonyou

Rides the Vanpooler July 2015
Employer: Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
Occupation: Technical Operations Specialist

Connie works for Providence Sacred Heart where she’s a Technical Operations Specialist. She has a 40 mile one way commute from Hayden, ID that she’s been traveling since 1980. Driving to Coeur d’Alene, Connie than vanpools to Spokane with 7 other riders every day and she’s been doing it for 7 years now. She began as a part-time rider, but soon saw how much money she was saving and made the decision to become a full time vanpooler.

According to Connie she decided to give vanpooling a try when her ETC, Lori Barschig, started encouraging her to get on the vanpool knowing how far she was driving each day. Connie admits, she hates driving and only does so when she has to. She is now able to sit back and relax on her way to and from work each day. She also appreciates the wear and tear she’s saving on her car in addition to drastically reducing her gas bill each month.

The only real challenge for Connie is if she has errands to run or if she has to work late. Fortunately there is another van that leaves Sacred Heart a short while after her shift ends and while she hasn’t had to utilize it yet it is always an option for her.

On occasion she has also carpooled with her daughter when her daughter has an appointment downtown. Connie always likes to encourage fellow employees to use commute alternatives or get in a vanpool, and while she hasn’t yet been successful she keeps trying! Providence Sacred Heart ETC, Lori Barschig, says “Connie emits such positivity to our CTR Program…. she doesn’t just shine… she sparkles!”

Way to Go Connie