October 19, 2004—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its first list of Best Workplaces for Commuters from the FORTUNE 500 companies. Sixty-nine companies were recognized for their environmental commitment to reducing air pollution and their role in easing traffic congestion caused by so many vehicles on our nation’s roads.
The Best Workplaces for Commuters program recognizes employers that are leaders in offering superior commuter benefits, such as subsidized transit or vanpool passes, telework programs, or shuttles, to their employees. With more than 400,000 employees taking part, the program has reduced approximately 186,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of taking 41,000 cars per year off the road.
In addition, EPA’s “Top 20 List” highlights 20 of the companies that have the highest percentages of employees eligible for these commuter benefits in their US workplaces. First on the Top 20 List is Intel Corporation, which earned its ranking by offering a high caliber of commuter benefits to 92 percent of the company’s workforce.
The Top 20 Best Workplaces for Commuters from the Fortune 500 Companies are:
- Intel
- Fannie Mae
- Cisco Systems
- USAA
- Sun Microsystems (tied with Oracle)
- Oracle (tied with Sun Microsystems)
- Advanced Micro Devices
- Texas Instruments
- Safeco
- EMC
- Hewlett-Packard
- Apple Computer
- Devon Energy
- Nike
- Reliant Energy
- International Business Machines
- Wyeth
- Wellpoint Health Networks
- Dynegy
- El Paso
According to EPA, Americans spend an average of 46 hours each year stuck in traffic. Gridlock produces more than $63 billion in congestion costs per year. Companies that offer commuter benefits help curb these costs and make a significant contribution to the health and welfare of their employees.
