Did you know that 78 percent of local commuters who drive alone say that they would try other ways to get to work if their employer provided a commute benefit? In fact, when employers provide commuter programs such as transit benefits, telework, vanpools, or preferential parking programs, 1 in 5 employees kicks their solo commuting habit.

Using more sustainable ways to commute also benefits your employees’ health. A recent study from the journal BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal) found that people who walk, bike, or even take transit to work have a lower body mass index (BMI) and body-fat percentage than people who drive to work.

Employees view their commute as part of their workday. As an increasing number of employers realize this, more are offering commute programs and incentives, and incorporating them into their overall employee benefits packages.

One size does not fit all when it comes to commuting, though. Those with shorter commutes (up to 5 miles to work) can consider biking or walking. Carpooling and vanpooling are good options for employees who travel longer distances. Offering incentives and amenities for each commute mode is best: for example, preferred carpool/vanpool parking for those with longer commutes, or showers and locker facilities for employees who bike to work. An increasing number of employers are also installing bike repair stations, so employees can fill up their tires and make minor repairs on their bikes.

Coordinator resources

• Check out employer strategies from Commuter Services that encourage more sustainable commuting in Hennepin County.
• Local programs like Metropass provide a discounted, unlimited-ride transit pass, and it’s easy to administer. Each pass costs $83 per month; employees pay for it via pre-tax payroll deduction. Employers can pass the cost of the pass on to participants, or—like 50 percent of the 300-plus organizations in the program—subsidize a portion of the cost, and earn tax credits. 
• For those who live and work in Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie, the Commuter Services Commuter Challenge runs through July 31, 2019. The challenge encourages people to try a more sustainable way of getting to work. A simple pledge to carpool, take the bus, bike to work, or telework incentivizes commuters to challenge themselves, and enters them to win prizes.

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Click here to read this month's E-tips for your employees: "Get to work."

To share these E-tips with employees, you can:  

• Email the E-tips document to your staff as an attachment. 1) Click the link to download and save the E-tips to your computer. 2) Add your organization's logo in the bottom left corner. 3) Then send it as an email attachment to staff. 
• Print the document once you've added your organization's logo and post it in a common area in your workplace.
• Copy and paste the text into your organization's newsletter.

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