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Commute Options for Your Worksite

Longer commutes make it harder to recruit and retain employees. Stress and time lost in traffic can cut productivity. Poor air quality, longer commutes and increasing traffic congestion can also stifle economic growth.

Starting a commute options program doesn't have to be daunting. No matter where your company or organization is located or what your industry sector, there are viable options that will work for you and for your employees.

Carpool. Carpooling can save you and your employees money in reduced commuting and parking costs. Parking costs and limited space can put a strain on company finances. As an incentive, you can offer preferred or reduced-cost parking spaces to those who participate. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) offers a program called “Rideshare” for southeast Wisconsin that helps people join carpools, provides information on park and ride lots, and furnishes information on transit providers. The program uses a computer database to match people with similar origins and destinations. Call “Rideshare” at 1-800-455-POOL to learn more or visit their website.

Vanpool. Vanpools are groups of 7-15 people who live near each other and travel to a common destination or work center. Vanpools offer many benefits. For employees, vanpooling results in reduced commuting costs. For employers, a vanpool program provides reduced parking costs and less stressed, more satisfied workers. Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) offers vanpool services to companies not directly served by existing buslines. A group of employees who live in the same vicinity can split an all-inclusive monthly fee to use a very well-equipped minivan. For more information on MCTS’s vanpool program call (414) 343-1777 or visit their website. The Department of Administration’s State Vanpool program provides alternate transportation for state and non-state employees commuting to Madison from outside communities (including Milwaukee). Participants can join a group that is already established or, if there are enough interested people, they can form a new vanpool. Riders enjoy low rates, comfortable vans, and the benefit of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations. If interested, contact the Vanpool Office: 1-800-884-VANS or visit their website.

Transit. For areas where it is available, transit is one of the lowest cost methods of transportation. Discount pass programs are currently available through Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS).

Emergency Ride Programs keep employees using commute options from getting stranded. Through these programs, employees who use alternatives such as carpooling, vanpooling and transit are eligible for a free taxicab ride in the event of an emergency. By giving a guarantee, you give your employees peace of mind and a sense of control when they choose an alternative to solo driving.

Bike or Walk. For employees who live nearby, provide bike racks, showers and lockers for walking shoes and gear.

Flextime. Create a new schedule for your employees. With flextime, employees can avoid rush hour commutes and arrive at work more relaxed and ready to work. Flextime schedules may also help your business extend business hours. By letting employees arrive before 7 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m., and leave at either before 4 p.m. or after 6:30 p.m., you can also help alleviate morning and afternoon rush hour congestion. Flextime allows employees to set or modify their arrival and departure times to meet their transportation needs. Work schedules may be adjusted to match a vanpool, transit or carpool schedule.

Compressed Work Weeks. Let your employees adopt a 4/10-work schedule (4 days a week, 10 hours per day), and it will cut their weekly commute by 20%. Or consider the 9/80 schedule, where employees put in 80 hours over each two-week period, but only work nine of the 10 days. By staggering employee schedules so they have different days off, you can ensure that you have adequate coverage to meet your particular needs. For employees, alternative schedules, or compressed work weeks, help ease conflicts imposed by the need to schedule doctor visits, child care, and civic involvement during what would be otherwise considered “work hours”. Whichever alternative you choose, you'll see increased recruitment and retention, along with decreased stress, tardiness and absenteeism.

Telecommute. Telecommuting, (also known as teleworking) allows employees to work from their homes via computer Internet connections and the telephone. Telecommuting provides a sense of freedom and control and makes employees more productive. In fact, telecommuters report a 22% increase in productivity.* Research shows they are less stressed, more willing to work longer hours, and more focused on their jobs. Even if employees telework only occasionally, such as on ozone action days, or one or two days per week, your business can be rewarded with increased productivity and higher satisfaction. In addition, businesses may save expenses by reducing office space costs. (*Source: Telework American National Telework Survey 1999)

Use Technology. Trips across town can take as long as the meeting itself. Instead of driving, try a phone or videoconference. Use e-mail or your company Intranet to communicate and share project work between offices.

On-Site Amenities. Your on-site amenities can attract and retain employees. With amenities such as dry cleaning, cafeteria, daycare, fitness facility, or convenience stores on-site, your employees will not have to leave work to run quick errands.

Other Options. Bring lunch in occasionally, or provide drinks and dessert for employees who brown bag. Offer coupons or subsidies for on-site cafeterias. Or offer incentives for program participation, such as raffles, contests and giveaways.

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Email Questions to Jessica Lawent, Jessica.Lawent@wisconsin.gov, 414-263-8653