Employers can do their part to help during Commuter Choices Week, too. Providing transportation alternatives for employees can increase office morale, lead to less stress, and bolster productivity. For example, studies at major corporations found that teleworkers reported gaining an extra hour of productive time each day. AT&T, one company that promotes teleworking, estimated a benefit of $65 million in business from 2001-02. Employers are also typically eligible for tax incentives by offering qualifying transportation benefits.
Commuter assistance programs throughout the state are available to assist employers who want to establish employee transportation programs.
Click here to the find the program in Florida nearest you.

Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) is a public-private sector voluntary program that encourages employer-provided commuter benefits and recognizes companies that seek innovative, neoteric solutions to commuting challenges. Offering employees commuter benefits can help companies address limited or expensive parking, minimize traffic congestion, improve employee recruiting and retention, and reduce the environmental damage caused by drive-alone commuting. If half of all employees worked for Best Workplaces for Commuters, 15 million cars would be removed from the road daily.

BWC provides the resources, direction, and promotion necessary to help employers of all-sizes include commuter benefits into their standard benefits plan, reap financial benefits, and gain national recognition.

To qualify for the program an employer must offer at least one of the following benefits - employer-paid tax-free transit or vanpool passes, teleworking, or parking cash-out (allowing workers to trade free parking for a cash equivalent). The majority of employers must also offer three secondary benefits, such as - shuttles to and from transit stations, ridesharing or carpool matching, preferred or reduced-cost parking for carpools and vanpools, and compressed work schedules. Additionally, Best Workplaces for Commuters must offer an Emergency Ride Home at little or no cost.

BWC lists examples of benefits and promotional events employers could incorporate to turn their company into a forerunner of excellence amongst other environmentally and employee-friendly organizations.
  • Subsidies for bicycles and/or shoes. Offer gift certificates to local bike shops or shoe stores to employees who ride or walk to work.
  • Extensive teleworking support. Make laptops and necessary software available for long-term loan to enable employees to work from home.
  • Flexible commuting passes. Don't stop at providing subway passes-subsidize employees' purchases of bus and rail passes, too.
  • Free lunchtime shuttles to restaurant areas. Enable employees to get to local restaurants without getting in their cars.
  • Membership in a carsharing program. Provide employees with access to a shared car for in-town business meetings, personal errands, and emergencies.
  • Employee commuting contests. Challenge employees to not drive alone to work and use other commute options.
  • "Walk to Work Weeks" or similar events promoting options for getting to work. Get your employees talking about commuting options with a well-publicized event. See the calendar below for a listing of national commute events.
  • Wellness Fairs. Encourage walking and bicycling to work by promoting the health benefits of "person-powered" commuting.
  • Prize drawings or bonus vacation time for commuters who do not drive alone to work. Reward employees for socially and environmentally responsible commuting.
In 1999, the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) in Tampa, FL instituted formal telework and compressed workweek programs. Employees can work 80 hours in nine days instead of 10 under the compressed workweek program. Five years after being introduced, these benefits had cut commute trips by 6.5 percent during an average week.

Please visit Best Workplaces for Commuters website for more information.