Employers that provide commuter benefits not only get tax savings for themselves and their employees, they can also qualify to become one of the Houston-Galveston Area’s Best Workplaces for Commuters.

The designation of Best Workplace for Commuters (BWC) is used to recognize companies that offer excellent commuter benefits to their employees. The Houston-Galveston Area BWC list spotlights employers in the Houston-Galveston Area that are committed to improving quality of life for commuters while also bettering their community by reducing traffic and air pollution. Listed employers offer employees commuting benefits such as transit passes, vanpool subsidies, bike commuter facilities, telework programs, and onsite amenities such as day care and dry cleaning.

Since October 1, 2007, Best Workplaces for CommutersSM has been managed by the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida. Prior to October 1, 2007, the program was supported through a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

How to Qualify as a Houston-Galveston Area Best Workplaces for Commuters

To become a BWC company, employers must offer one these four Primary Benefits:

1. Monthly transit/vanpool pass subsidy of at least $30 or the full cost of the pass if it is less than $30.
2. Parking cash-out (where employees trade free parking for cash) equal to at least 75% of the total parking costs or a minimum of $30 per month, whichever is greater.
3. A significant telecommuting program that reduces 6% of commute trips.
4. An equivalent benefit that provides similar value to employees, reduce traffic and air pollution, and is agreed to by the Center for Urban Transportation Research.

The Organization must also offer three supporting benefits of their choice, except for organizations with 20 or fewer employees which need only provide one supporting benefit. A few of the many examples of supporting benefits are:

• Pre-tax employee-paid transit/vanpool passes
• Preferred parking for carpoolers
• Onsite amenities(i.e. day care, ATMs, mailbox) or concierge services
• Rideshare matching (like NuRide.com)
• Incentives for living near work
• Alternative work schedules
• Amenities for Bikers (i.e. lockers and showers)
• Many other supporting benefits are recognized.

Other considerations:

•  Guaranteed ride home
• Central point of contact
• Promotional activities
• Commuter information
• 14% alternative mode usage within 18 months of signing

For more informtation, visit www.bestworkplaces.org.