A Carpool is not a Rolling Hot Tub

My company, GVF is a non-profit transportation management association. One of the services we provide is developing commute alternative programs. The goals of these programs are to reduce congestion, improve worker productivity and happiness, and ultimately help the environment. Promoting commute alternative programs is never easy, and at time it feels like we are presenting the information in Sanskrit.

We promote a number of methods to reducing congestion that include carpooling, commute by transit, bike to work, vanpooling, telecommute, and flexible work schedule to name a few. All have their distinct advantages and disadvantages; however the biggest advantage of all of them to the average commuter is savings. In these times of a down economy and rising fuel prices one would think savings would be enough to entice people to show interest. Unfortunately that is not the case, and we constantly find people viewing these methods with a closed mind.

Carpooling is the easiest and most effective way to reduce commuting costs. Carpooling just one day each week will reduce your commute costs by a minimum of twenty percent. With the Emergency Ride Home Program you are covered if you need to leave work and don’t have your car. Combining cost reductions and ride home insurance with the fact that most people’s commute patterns do not change and many co-workers live close to each other makes this a no brainer. Countless carpooling expos have exposed the same apprehensions and concerns, people are not open to changing their commute habits even when it means saving money and time.

If carpooling doesn’t work (and it isn’t for everyone) perhaps biking to work makes sense. If you live within five miles of your place of employment, biking will take less than half an hour. Riding a bike will reduce more than congestion; it will shrink that ever expanding waste line too. Riding a bike, even one day a week during nice weather can have significant impacts. This summer, GVF managed our first Bike to Work Competition between four companies in the US 422 Corridor. Over 100 riders rode an excess of 40,000 miles in 20 weeks. Most people rode only one or two days each week.

Maybe you can’t carpool because you don’t always stay in your office all day, or biking is out if the question because you live to far from work. There is still an option for you; telecommuting. With today’s high speed internet, and low cost remote access options, working from home has gotten easier and sacrifices little more than the morning traffic jam. For the on-the-go worker, telecommuting makes sense because you can start and finish your day at home, rather than commute to an office you may not need that day. Telecommuting takes minimal effort to set-up, and can be a very nice benefit to offer employees when other companies are cutting benefits to remain profitable.

These solutions are a few options to easily lower commuting costs, improve the environment, and in many cases be a happier and more productive employee. Implementing any of these programs requires that both employer and employee are open to making small changes. If you are interested in learning more about commuting alternatives, or would like to offer program for your employees, please feel free to contact my organization. We have over 20 years of experience in developing alternative commuting solutions