Karen Phaup, Commuter Assistance Program (CAP) Volunteer, Honored As One of Arlington County's 1998 Outstanding Volunteers

BATA Chair Karen Phaup was instrumental in the creation of CAP's Commuter Stores and Employer Services Programs and is recognized by the County Board for her efforts over the past decade.

If she had known eight years ago what she was getting into as a volunteer, she probably would have been surprised. Other than working as a flight attendant more than 20 years ago, Karen had no connection with the transportation industry. However, Karen has been a major force in changing the way people get to work.

Karen Phaup

Through her volunteer job with the Commuter Assistance Program, which creates alternatives for single-occupancy drivers to reduce congestion on the roads, Karen served on and then chaired the Ballston-Rosslyn Transportation Association, also known as BATA ("BAT- AH".) Her vision and leadership enabled the county to address the critical problem of commuter traffic. She promoted the concept of telecommuting and other options to commuting to work. She and her team informed and educated the public about public transportation choices and championed employer-subsidized use of metro bus and rail systems. The opening of the Transit Store in Ballston was only one of the many successes for this program, which achieved both tremendous financial support from the state and national recognition for both BATA and the county.

In jurisdictions such as ours, the road system cannot tolerate the volume of traffic created when people drive to work alone. Reducing highway congestion, diminishing traffic on residential streets, wider use of Metrorail, and better air quality are critical. Through Karen's leadership, these things are happening.

Thank you, Karen, for your wonderful achievements on behalf of our whole community. Your efforts to minimize automobile commuter traffic will make the quality of life in Arlington much better for years to come.

About the award

The contributions made by our volunteers are enormous, strengthen our community and enable the County to be more responsive to residents. In monetary terms, Arlington volunteers gave $5.6 million worth of services to County programs during fiscal year 1997. Thousands of additional hours have been contributed by members of our advisory committees and commissions. The commitment to Arlington by its volunteers is truly impressive. Each year the County holds a volunteer recognition reception as a small way to express its appreciation for their time, talent, and energy, and selects for special recognition, Outstanding Volunteers.

More about Arlington's Outstanding Volunteers