Commute Program Implementation

Flex Your Commute is here to help you set up a commute program that works for you and your employees. Connect with us today at flexyourcommute@baaqmd.gov so we can help you design and implement your commute program.

Begin with a survey of your employees to see what their current commute habits are, where they are commuting from, and what type of commute program works best for them.

After surveying your employees, review the findings and follow the steps below to implement an employee commute program that works best for your organization.

Define your Commute Program

Based on your location and employees’ homes, choose commuter benefits that will best serve your workforce. After reviewing local transit, park-and-ride, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure consider what would best support your employees from these examples:

• Information
  • Transit and shuttle schedules
  • Resources for finding carpools and vanpools
  • Maps for bicycle and pedestrian use
• Assistance
  • Regular group commute-consultation sessions
  • One-on-one commute planning with employees
• Physical Support
  • Secure bicycle storage
  • Lockers and showers
  • Onsite amenities - gym, food service
  • Electric vehicle chargers
  • Preferred carpool and vanpool parking
  • Employer car-sharing and bike-sharing memberships and availability
• Logistical Support
  • In-house carpool and vanpool matching
  • Guaranteed ride home program
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Telework policy — Offering a formalized telework agreement can be mutually beneficial to employers and employees. Advantages include improved employee recruitment, retention, and productivity, money saved on commercial real estate and parking facilities, reduced traffic congestion, and more.
    • If you need guidance on how to implement a telework policy, the Flex Your Commute Team can share guidelines and resources. Email us at flexyourcommute@baaqmd.gov for assistance.
• Incentives
  • Pre-tax benefit program - allow your employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for transit or vanpool expenses.
  • Funding subsidies – transit, vanpool, carpool, or bicycle
  • One-time incentives - cash reward, extra vacation time, or other prizes for commuting sustainably.

Set Goals

After identifying your benefits, set program goals. Success can be measured through a reduction in drive-alone rates, lower staff turnover, reduced absences, or unused parking spaces or lots. Goals can also be qualitative, such as better work/life balance.

Launch Your Program

• Develop a plan to communicate your program benefits to employees. Unveil your program all at once or incrementally. Integrate your commute program messaging into new hire orientation. Research has shown employees are most receptive to changing their commute method when switching jobs.
• Periodic commute challenges create fun competition for your employees and the opportunity to try new commuting options. Employees can compete for prizes, badges, and bragging rights.
• While publicizing your commute options, track employee responses to your outreach efforts and determine which methods are most effective.

Do you have questions on how to implement a successful commute program or need help promoting your new commute program to your employees? The Flex Your Commute Team is here to help. Email us at flexyourcommute@baaqmd.gov to get started.