May 17, 2002—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized top executives from US companies for their efforts to encourage environmentally responsible commuting among employees. A partnership between EPA and the US Department of Transportation, called the Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative, provides transportation benefits to employees and helps change commuting behavior by offering alternatives to riding solo in a car.
Commuter Choice employers must offer their employees at least one major commuter benefit, such as $32 per month in transit passes, vanpool subsidies, or cash instead of subsidized parking spaces. They must also offer three other commuter benefits from a list, including carpool matching, bike lockers, compressed work schedules, and on-site day care.
According to EPA, if half of all US commuters worked for Commuter Choice Employers, air pollution and traffic would be cut by the equivalent of taking 15 million cars off the road.
For more information about the Commuter Choice Initiative, visit the program’s Web site, or call Commuter Choice Hotline at 888/856-3131.
