Building an Employee Commute Program
-
-
A commuter program is good for employees and business!
A comprehensive employee commute program will give you a competitive edge in recruitment and retention. Better yet, productivity goes up and absenteeism goes down when employees can choose low stress, convenient ways to get to work. A well thought out and effectively marketed commute program can actually turn the commute into an employee benefit!
How to Get Started:
1.) Use Existing Resources
The easiest and cheapest way to start an employee commute program is to find the public transportation already available close to your worksite. Place a rack of brochures and schedules for these resources in a location that is easily accessible to all employees, such as the reception desk or break room. Try to include information on buses, BART, light rail, taxi services, and bike and walking trails.
2.) Commute Analysis
Every business has unique transportation needs and not all programs are appropriate for everyone, so to select the best programs for you, begin with a commute analysis. It sounds complex, but it is simply a quick and easy survey-based report that describes:
• What cities do your employees come from?
• How many miles do they travel round trip?
• How do they currently get to and from work on various days?
The survey can be placed in paycheck envelopes, distributed through office mail, or e-mailed. You can also have your payroll or personnel department run a zip code search. It is important to get the most accurate picture as possible of current commute patterns so you can best plan your strategy.
3.) Determine Goals and Strategies
Employee Commute Program Goals are typically a mix of: improving recruitment and retention, reducing parking congestion, helping the environment, improving public opinion, and complying with air emissions regulations.
Each goal suggests a specific strategy, which can be precisely targeted using the survey results. In general, you should:
| • |
Adopt as many programs as possible to give employees appealing choices when considering the commute to work. |
| • |
Focus programs primarily on those that alleviate the need for a car and discourage commute driving. |
| • |
Couple as many programs as possible with green-friendly marketing. |
| • |
Institute any and all programs required by law. |
4.) Add Programs
Congratulations, you are ready to start adding programs. Commute programs vary in their time and financial commitments, so you will be able to start as small as necessary and build from there. The key to success is making sure your employees know and understand the programs available to them, but the more options available, the better.
Click below to see program ideas for a implementing a particular strategy, or scroll down to view the whole program idea checklist
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Encourage Walking |
|
|
Encourage Bicycling |
|
|
Encourage Vanpooling |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uninterrupted sidewalks and pedestrian pathways
On site perimeter lighting
On site showers/lockers
Cash incentives
Prize giveaways
Walking buddy program/club
Map of area and surrounding trails
Local housing information/marketing
Local housing subsidy
Emergency Ride Home Program
Uninterrupted sidewalks and pedestrian pathways
Flexible Work Schedule Program |
|
|
Install Bike Lockers
Install Bike Racks
Bike lanes/ paths to transit hubs and county bikeways
On-site perimeter lighting
Crosswalks at signals
Showers/ lockers
Bicycle purchase subsidy
Electric bike subsidies
Cash Incentives
Prize Giveaways
Biking buddy program/club
Local housing subsidy
Local housing information/marketing
Flexible work Schedule Policy
Emergency Ride Home |
|
|
Preferred vanpool Parking
Provide Park and Ride Lot Information
Provision of Vanpool Vehicles
Ridematching Program
On-Site Vanpool Marketing
Published Zip Code Maps
Zip Code Lunches
Cash Incentives
Direct Cash Subsidies
Prize Giveaways
Flexible Work Schedule Policy
Emergency Ride Home Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Encourage Alternative Work Schedules |
|
|
Encourage Carpooling |
|
|
Encourage Transit Use |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spare the Air Day "Work at Home Policy"
4/40 policy (work 40 hrs in 4 days, 5th day is off)
9/80 policy (work 80 hrs in 9 days, 10th day is off)
|
|
|
Preferred/Reserved Carpool Parking
Park and Ride Lot Advertisement
Provision of Carpool Vehicles
Ridematching Program
On-Site Carpool Marketing
Published zip code maps
Cash Incentives
Zip code Lunches
Vehicle Maintenance Program
Prize giveaways
Local Housing Information/ Marketing
Local Housing Subsidy
Flexible Work Schedule Policy
Emergency Ride Home Program |
|
|
Turnouts for transit buses
Transit Shelters at public Bus Stops Near Work
Transit Benches
Sidewalks/ paths to Transit Hubs
Lighting at Public Bus Stops
Employer Sponsored Shuttles to transit hubs
Public Transit Bus near Site
Caltrain Station near Site
BART Station Near Site
On-Site Transit Pass Sales
Free Introductory Transit Pass Sales
Cash Incentives
Transit Subsidy Program(Commuter Check)
Prize giveaways
Local Housing Information/ Marketing
Flexible Work Schedule Policy
Emergency Ride Home Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Encourage Telecommuting |
|
|
Additional Programs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T-1, ISDN and other Computer and Internet Cabling On-Site
Video Conferencing Room
Telecommuting Policy
Home Office Improvements (ISDN Cabling, fax line, office furniture, etc.)
Home Computer Loan, Purchase or Subsidy
Telecommuting training for managers
Telecommuting training for employees |
|
|
Limiting Parking
Charging for Parking
Provision of Carpool Vehicles
Parking Cash Out
CafÈ on Site
Patios, dining areas, break areas with seating
Exercise Facilities
US postal Service
Child Care Center
Commute Info. Center
Dry Cleaning Services
Bank/ATM
Commute Fairs/
Dedicated Transportation Coordinator
New Employee Orientation Program
Form a Shuttle Consortium with neighboring businesses
Commute Services Website
Mid-Day Shuttles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
