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When Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation started its employee commute options program three years ago, some employees discovered their daily commute wasn't what it used to be. That's because it got cheaper! The company subsidized its employees' carpools and vanpools.

Connecticut's ECO regulations were in full swing then, but the company kept the program going after ECO ended. That turned out to be a smart decision, because Pitney Bowes Credit moved its offices from Norwalk to Shelton, Connecticut a year ago.

The relocation meant a longer commute. Thanks to the company's subsidies, however, the relocation didn't hurt the pocketbooks of anyone commuting via carpool or vanpool.

Pitney Bowes Credit subsidizes each vanpooler's fare by $60 per month. That means the employee pays only from $10 to $30, depending on the distance from his or her home community. The driver goes for free.

In addition to the vanpools, the company has at least 13 carpools. Carpoolers from Stamford get a subsidy of $1.50 a day, while those from closer communities receive $1.00 a day. Employees can carpool as many days as they want. No minimum participation level is required to receive the subsidy.

"Top management is very supportive of the program," said Elcy Triana, Human Resources Records Specialist and the firm's employee transportation coordinator. "People who live out in Stamford have feared the program would go away, but the president of the company is really pushing to continue this."

Nearly 20 percent of the 350 employees at Pitney Bowes Credit get to work via carpool or vanpool. When the program started a few years ago, only two vanpools were operating. Six vans now make the daily trip, with four coming from Norwalk, one from Milford, and one from Stamford. A seventh vanpool is in the works, and will most likely serve Danbury, according to Triana.

The vans, which hold up to 12 passengers, are provided by The Rideshare Company, with ridematching support from MetroPool. Ridership averages 9-10 people per vanpool. Employees choose their own vanpool driver and backups.

"Some carpool all month, and some only a handful of times," noted Triana. "Winter is our most popular time for carpooling!"

To keep participation up, the company includes a pamphlet on commute options in the orientation materials given to new employees. Triana also posts materials provided by MetroPool. Still, the financial incentives have proven the most effective way to get employees into pooling, explained Triana.

"We don't push people," said Triana. "We just say, 'Try it as a trial run.' If they like it, they join."