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How to Start a Commuter Benefit Program
A Commuter Benefit Program is valued by employees and can be cost-effective as well as easy to administer. For any company, the best way to start a successful program is to ask a few key questions:
- What commute options are your employees likely to use?
- How many employees will be able to participate in the program, and which employees?
- What is the budget for the commuter benefit program?
- How much administrative time is your company willing to commit to the program?
- What does your company hope to accomplish with a commuter benefit program?
You can calculate financial and other benefits of a commute program by using this EPA calculator [external link].
Here are some examples of how a company can combine various commute program elements to meet specific needs:
If your company wants to decrease the cost of bus passes to employees who commute by bus, consider:
- allowing employees to use pre-tax income to purchase their bus pass, and
- matching the employee contribution with a small subsidy.
If your company wants to increase the number of employees who commute by bus -- to manage tight parking, for example -- consider:
- providing a subsidy for all or a portion of your employees' passes,
- allowing employees to use pre-tax income to purchase the remaining portion of their bus pass,
- providing the Home Free Guarantee for employees who commute by bus, and
- posting a commute options board with bus information.
If your company wants to offer an equitable but varied program of commute options to employees, consider:
For additional assistance fill out the company information form or contact Employer Services by e-mail employer.program@kingcounty.gov or by phone 206-263-3444.
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