Best Workplaces for Commuters is a nationally recognized program reserved for employers that meet the highest standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for providing and supporting employee transportation benefits.

This program recognizes the efforts of an exclusive group of employers who believe in the importance of getting their employees to work not only safely but in a timely fashion and without stress caused by their commute.

As a professional in human resources, finance, communications/public relations, or environmental management, you seek innovative solutions to your everyday goals and challenges. Whether you are concerned with employee job satisfaction, company finances, maintaining a positive organizational image, or improving quality of life in your community and the global environment, Best Workplaces for Commuters is a natural choice to meet your needs.

By qualifying, your organization will enjoy:

• Public recognition for being commuter-friendly and socially responsible.
      
• Training to help you implement commuter benefits.
      
• Web-based tools to help you calculate the overall financial, environmental, and traffic improvements associated with your commuter benefits.
  
  
• One-on-one assistance to answer program questions, provide tips and resources, and help recognize your achievements.
      
• Networking opportunities with peers and experts in the field to exchange ideas and learn new strategies.
  

Does Your Organization Qualify?
As an employer, do you offer at least one of the following primary benefits to your employees?

• A monthly transit/vanpool pass subsidy of at least $30 - or the full cost of the pass if it is less than $30 (Pre-tax benefits are considered a supporting option)
  
• Parking cash out equivalent of at least 75% of the total parking costs, or a minimum of $30 per month
  
• A significant telecommuting program that reduces, on average, 6% of commute trips
  
• An equivalent option that achieves demonstrable commuter benefits and is approved by the program
  

In addition, you must support commuter choices in at least three other ways, including, but not limited to:

• Proximate amenities or concierge services
  
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
  
• Compressed work schedules
  
• Preferred parking for carpools and vanpools
  
• Participation in Ozone NY
  
• Provide access to a regional, or company-provided Transportation Management Association (TMA)
  
• Emergency/Guaranteed Ride Program for your employees
  
• At least 14% of your employees do not drive alone to work, or you as an employer commit to meeting this target within 18 months
• Organizations with fewer than 20 employees need only one additional commuter benefit
  

A more comprehensive list of qualifying benefits can be found here.

For more information on commuter benefits, click here.

Long Island Employers Leading the Way
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the following outstanding Long Island employers on their designation as a Best Workplace for Commuters:

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
Melville, NY

Intelecom Systems, Inc.
Ronkonkoma, NY

Long Island Transportation Management, Inc.
Melville, NY

Peerless Instrument Co.
(Div.Curtiss-Wright Flow Control)
East Farmingdale, NY

Washington Mutual Bank
Port Washington, NY

To learn more about Best Workplaces for Commuters and the benefits that the program offers, please call LITM at (631) 777-7722, or (877) 4COMMUTE.

Click here to listen to Walter Mugdan, Director of Environmental Planning and Protection, Region 2 office for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describe why it's important to be a Best Workplace for Commuters.