Employers that provide commuter benefits not only get tax savings for themselves and their employees, they can also qualify to be on the list for “Best Workplaces for Commuters.”

Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) recognizes companies that offer excellent commuter benefits to their employees. The BWC list spotlights employers in the greater Houston Area that are committed to improving quality of life for commuters while also reducing traffic and air pollution. Listed employers offer employees commuting benefits such as transit passes, vanpool subsidies, bike commuter facilities, onsite day care, and telework programs.

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

To qualify as one of The Greater Houston’s Best Workplaces for Commuters, organizations must provide:

• A central point of contact for information, who actively informs employees of commuter benefits available.
• At least one primary commuter benefit, which can include a monthly $30 transit/vanpool pass subsidy, cash in lieu of free parking, or a significant telecommuting program.
• At least three supporting commuter benefits, which can include carpool/vanpool incentives, lockers/showers for bikers or walkers, incentives for living near work, or onsite amenities such as day care or dry cleaning.

For more informtation, visit www.bestworkplaces.org.