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Give your employees a choice of commute vehicles
Give your employees a choice of commute vehicles: a carpool, a vanpool, a bus, a train, a bike, or their feet! Or no vehicle at all- telecommuting and compressed work weeks can eliminate a trip entirely!

Not all commute options work with every worksite
And not every employee can change their commute mode. But many employees can and will use an option that fits with their work schedule, family commitments, and interests even if only one day a week. Since you already know your employees and your organization, here's some information to help you choose the right vehicles to promote in your commute program.

Carpooling is a popular and easy option, and is often done on a part-time basis
Two to six people share the ride in a private vehicle either sharing driving responsibilities or sharing the cost. Good carpooling candidates work set hours at least one day a week, can adjust their work schedules to match those of other potential carpool partners and prefer to spend commute time reading, socializing or napping rather than stressing out alone behind the wheel.

Vanpooling requires a little more organizing, but can be the least expensive choice for the long-distance commuter
Seven to fifteen people meet (usually at one or several park and ride lots) and share the ride in a van that is owned or leased by a vanpooler, an employer, or contracted on a month-to-month basis from a third-party vanpool provider. Vanpooling generally requires a full-time (or at least consistent) commitment on the part of the rider. Vanpoolers usually live more than thirty miles away from work, work fixed hours most of the time, like to socialize, and are interested in saving money.

Riding the bus
Riding the bus is a good choice for commuters who live less than fifteen miles from work and have easy access to the bus on both ends of their commute. Some bus lines provide park and ride service at the home end of the trip. The best transit candidates live near a transit stop, do not have a car available (or wish to save wear and tear on their car), and have a work schedule that is compatible with the bus operating hours. Bus riders can sit back, relax, and enjoy the reliable, low-cost ride.

Commuters who travel by train
Commuters who travel by train move past the traffic while they read, nap, or work, during their reliable, relaxing trip. A choice of trains is generally available during peak commuter hours to fit any work schedule. The train is a good choice for commuters who can get dropped off or park at a train station in the morning and can either walk, take a bus or taxi, or board an employer-provided shuttle from the train station to their worksite.

Bicycling or walking to work
Bicycling or walking to work lets employees who live nearby get exercise rather than stress during their commute. Walkers usually live up to three miles from work; bicyclists four to ten miles (or farther for the enthusiast). If the route includes local streets, bike lanes, and good sidewalks, these options could be a popular choice for commuters who can't normally find the time to exercise, even one day a week. Showers, lockers, or other amenities at the worksite can make it easier to walk or bike to work.

A compressed work week can be a big benefit to the employee and to your operation as well
A compressed work week schedule permits employees to finish their usual number of work hours in fewer days per week or pay period, resulting in reduced commute trips to the worksite. Whether it's a four day/full work week or nine day/two full work weeks schedule (or other combination), your company could benefit from extended customer service hours, better communication with facilities in other time zones and enhanced employee productivity through improved employee morale.

Telecommuting
Telecommuting allows an employee to work at home (usually one to three days per week), using a phone line for a commute vehicle instead of a car. Telecommuting candidates are employees who are self-motivated, well organized, experienced, have jobs suitable for working at home and won't miss the interaction with others in the office while they are working at home. Starting a telecommuting program demands a fair amount of planning, but the benefits to both the employer and employee- increased productivity, reduced parking and overhead costs- are worth the work.

MetroPool can help you identify the commute options that are right for your company, your worksite, and your employees. MetroPool's free on-site program development, turn key products and services, and extensive marketing support make it easy to give employees a choice of ways to commute to work. We know you don't have the time to manage your commute program while you're managing your business.

Call your MetroPool Program Manager today at 203/324-6700 to put us to work for you. MetroPool provides services under contract with the Connecticut and New York Departments of Transportation and also receives private sector funding in the form of contributions. Return to top