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Innovative commuter benefits improve
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While the average New York area commuter loses nearly a week every year getting to and from work, 16 Westchester County companies have stepped up to ease the trip for their employees, earning a spot on a national list of commuter-friendly workplaces. These companies are among 63 in the region that achieved a national standard of excellence in commuter benefits programs this year in an effort spearheaded by a regional coalition of leading transportation and business organizations.

At a recent reception, Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano recognized Westchester County companies that made the first annual list of the Metro NY-NJ-CT Best Workplaces for Commuters^SM, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognition program, which spotlights employers that have made a commitment to providing commuter benefits packages that help reduce traffic and air pollution and improve the quality of life for commuters.

Small companies, such as Pagoda Restaurant, Central Seafood and Golden Wok, corporate giants IBM and Swiss Re and even county newcomer New York Life Insurance are among those that have introduced commuter benefits that help reduce congestion on county roadways, clean the air and improve the daily trip to and from work for thousands of employees in Westchester County. Their nationally recognized programs include such features as employer-provided transit passes, vanpool subsidies, on-site housing, bicycle commuter facilities, on-site day care, and telework programs.

"This initiative to recognize our regions' companies for their commitment to improving commuting in Westchester County will also help companies in Westchester County attract and retain employees," said Andrew Spano, Westchester County Executive. "The programs offered at the Best Workplaces for Commuters^SM companies provide a host of benefits to commuters that also help preserve the economic vitality of the important I-287 corridor."

A recent study published in HR Magazine indicated that nearly 50 percent of workers describe their commutes as unsatisfying or stressful and that more than one-third of all workers would be willing to take a 10 percent pay cut or more for a shorter commute.

"Commuters in the NY-NJ-CT metro area spend almost 80 minutes every day-or nearly a full week a year-getting to and from work," said Jane M. Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator. "Millions of people every day are sitting in traffic, increasing air pollution, wasting gasoline and increasing their own stress. These companies have made an extraordinary effort to reverse this trend, and to help their employees find a better, faster way to get to work."

"Best Workplaces for Commuters^SM companies demonstrate that a healthy balance sheet and a healthy environment can go hand in hand," said John Lyons, MetroPool President. "We want Westchester County employers to know that offering commuter benefits makes good business sense. The return on a small investment is more satisfied, productive workers, improved tax benefits and cleaner air."

New York-Presbyterian Hospital Joins Drive for Cleaner Air

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's Westchester Division is aggressive in its approach to reducing traffic, cutting air pollution and encouraging employees to use alternative modes of transportation. The hospital's shuttle services-free to employees-ferries 36,000 riders each year from the Transit Center in White Plains to the hospital. With plans to add a research facility that will double its size, the hospital is examining additional ways to serve the many new employees it will add as a result of expansion.

"We have long been committed to assisting our employees with their transportation needs and the shuttle vans cut down tremendously on their commutation time and expense," explains Willa Brody, Director of Public and Community Affairs. "At least half the hospital's employees live outside of the White Plains area, and many do not have a car available for commuting, so they depend on public transportation to access our site." NewYork-Presbyterian also has a fleet of cars for doctors to use in carpooling to its facilities in Manhattan.

IBM Takes the Jam out of Traffic

IBM takes commuter-friendly to the limit with a telework program that in some cases eliminates the commute entirely!

"In many situations IBMers can work more productively at a customer site or from home than from a traditional office environment," said Denise Milde, IBM HR Director, Research Division. "This reduces drive-alone time, improves the quality of life for our employees and helps reduce pollution and congestion."

The company's commitment to improving its employees' commutes has helped reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and inspire loyalty among employees. Geraldo Abreu, for instance, a Global Human Resources Partner with IBM's Global Business Partners division, works with customers around the world, requiring workplace flexibility to meet differences in time zones. Previously, Abreu was a recruiter for IBM in North Carolina, a position that put him on the road and out of the office much of the time.

"IBM's greatest asset is its employees, and the company is very aware of the importance of the work/life balance, which is why flexibility in terms of how and where you get your work done is built into the system," explains Abreu.

Swiss Re Commuter-and Community-Friendly

The Best Workplaces for Commuters^SM list is a "good commuting seal of approval" that says this is a commuter-friendly company. Reinsurance and financial services giant Swiss Re earned the designation with a benefits program that improves its employees' commutes, helps reduce congestion and improves air quality.

Swiss Re employees are able to save money through participation in the tax-free Commuter Choice benefit, by paying for public transportation and vanpooling with pre-tax dollars, deducting up to $100 per month of their before tax earnings. The company also participates in the EasyStreet NY vanpool program and has a guaranteed ride program for commute alternative users. In addition, the company's cafeteria, on-site ATM, sundry store and dry cleaning service are among the services offered at Swiss Re's Armonk headquarters, making it possible for employees to take care of many daily needs without ever leaving the corporate campus.

County Promotes Mobility Inside and Out

Westchester County's SMART COMMUTE Program and MetroPool, Inc. promote mobility solutions at area worksites. In addition to delivering commuter alternative programs to local companies, the County has implemented a whole range of commuter benefits aimed at reducing ride-alone commuting by its own staff. The innovative programs include compressed workweeks and a telework policy for qualified employees, placing the County itself among the nation's top commuter-friendly employers.

"Clean water and the environment heads the list of Westchester County Executive Andrew J. Spano's priorities," explains Tony-Pascal Offurum, Program Administrator. "Reducing air and water pollution and cutting congestion are thus integral to his vision."

Using commute alternatives allows employees to arrive at work relaxed, adds Mr. Offurum. Offering a compressed work week reduced tardiness. Staggered work hours helped reduce congestion during peak periods.

Commute-n-Save Delivers Bottom Line Benefits to Employers, Workers

Organizations that offer employees choices about how they get to work report improved employee recruiting, job satisfaction, and retention. They can also save on taxes (since they pay no federal income taxes or payroll taxes on these benefits), and enhance their corporate image and community relations.

Alternate transportation is not only attractive from a lifestyle point of view; it can also benefit the bottom line. A company can save money (in payroll taxes) when it allows employees to pay for up to $100 per month of their transit or vanpool fare (plus up to $195 per month qualified commuter parking) with pre-tax income. And employees can save, too -- up to $425 per year on transit and vanpool fares alone, plus the savings they enjoy from a lower cost, lower stress commute. The SMART Commute Group and MetroPool promote this Commute-n- Save tax-free commute benefit throughout the county and works with employers to implement the program.

MetroPool supports the employers' efforts through ridematching, on-site promotion, vanpool set-up and other services through a program sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation. Thirty-two of the Metro NY-NJ-CT Best Workplaces for Commuters^SM are supported by MetroPool's commute management services. For more information about Best Workplaces for Commuters^SM, contact MetroPool.

Westchester County employers recognized. Employer-based commuter mobility programs and the free employer support provided by programs sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation provide a region-wide, long-term, environmentally-sustainable solution to move commuters through the corridor to worksites in the Mid-Hudson Region in a program that saves time, money and stress. From left, Rich Todaro, IBM Headquarters, George Rolita, IBM North Castle, Ralph Harkins, IBM Somers, Mary Ellen Burns, WCDOT, Thomas Ma, Pagoda Restaurant, Denise Milde, IBM, Helen Shue, Golden Wok, Rodney Gingerich, MasterCard, Elaine Palmer, PepsiCo, Jane M. Kenny, Regional Administrator, US E.P.A., Andrew Spano, Westchester County Executive, Louise Zacher, New York Life Insurance, Pat Lioi, Swiss Re, Michael Ou, Central Seafood, Lawrence Cunningham, Westchester SMART Commute, Joe Tanzi, IBM White Plains, Fort DiRenno, IBM North Castle, Lyndonna Libert, IBM Research.

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