With rising fuel costs, increased employee turnover, and in many cases, lack of sufficient public transit, businesses are looking for ways to support employee commutes. For some, offering employer-provided transportation may be a key addition to an effective commute management strategy. There are many ways in which employer-provided transportation can benefit an organization and its employees.
Employee shuttles and other services are a few options that companies can offer employees to make it easier for them to get to and from work. In addition to improving the commuter experience, shared transportation offerings also reduce drive-alone commute trips, saving the company big on parking, and contributing to overall sustainability efforts by reducing carbon emissions.
What are the key benefits of employer-provided transportation?
Here are some of the ways employer-provided transportation can benefit an organization and its people:
- Improved employee retention: Providing employee shuttles can be a valuable perk for employees, especially if they live in areas with limited public transportation options. By offering shuttle services, companies can increase employee satisfaction, which can lead to improved retention rates.
- Enhanced employee productivity: Employee shuttles can reduce the stress and hassle of commuting, which can lead to improved employee productivity. By providing a comfortable and convenient transportation option, employees can arrive at work feeling more relaxed and ready to start their day.
- Reduced parking expenses: Providing employee shuttles can help companies reduce their parking expenses, as they can avoid the need to provide parking spaces for all employees. This can be particularly beneficial for companies located in areas where parking is limited and expensive.
- Increased safety: By providing employee shuttles, companies can help ensure that their employees arrive at work safely and on time. This can be especially important for companies located in areas with limited transit services or near corridors with high rates of traffic accidents..
- Improved sustainability: Employee shuttles can help reduce the environmental impact of commuting, as they promote the use of shared transportation options. This can be particularly beneficial for companies that are committed to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint.
Overall, employee shuttles can offer a range of benefits for companies, including improved employee retention, enhanced productivity, reduced parking expenses, increased safety, and improved sustainability. By providing a convenient and reliable transportation option, companies can improve the overall employee experience and create a more productive and engaged workforce.
What are the most common forms of employer-provided transportation?
There are several popular services employers are offering to help employees commute from home or bridge the first and last mile. The right combination of options can help meet the needs of a diverse workforce.
- Private shuttle: A dedicated shuttle is a vehicle or fleet of vehicles that are dedicated solely to transporting employees to and from work. These shuttles may run on a fixed schedule or on an on-demand basis.
- Dedicated transit route: Some companies may partner with local public transit agencies to provide shuttle services to their employees. These shuttles may operate to extend service on established public transit routes or may run on dedicated routes for the company’s employees.
- Micromobility: Personal electric vehicles like e-bikes and scooters can cover entire commutes for some employees. For others, they are a great way to cover the so-called “last mile” from public transit. Companies offer vouchers for shared micromobility services, subsidize leasing and service through a third party like RidePanda, or even help with the purchase of a vehicle
- Vanpool: A vanpool is a group of employees who share a vehicle to commute to work. The company may provide the vehicle or may partner with a third-party vanpool provider, such as Commute with Enterprise, to offer this service.
- Carpool: Yes, when employers facilitate, promote, and reward carpooling, they can help employees tap into a valuable network of convenient transportation options. Programs like Pave Commute can help employees carpool reliably and flexibly, and reduce reliance on driving alone.
- Employer-subsidized transit passes: Some companies may choose to subsidize their employees’ transit passes, which can be used on local public transit systems. This can be a cost-effective option for companies that want to offer transportation benefits to their employees.
Overall, the type of employee shuttle that a company chooses to offer will depend on a variety of factors, including the location of the company, the transportation needs of its employees, and its budget. By offering a range of shuttle options, companies can ensure that their employees have access to reliable and convenient transportation to and from work.
How do employers find out which type of employee shuttle is suitable?
To determine which transportation offerings would be most appropriate for an organization, employers should first educate themselves. Here are some steps an organization considering offering employer-provided transportation should take:
- Conduct a transportation needs assessment: Employers should assess the transportation needs of their employees to determine how they currently get to and from work, and what transportation options are available to them. A survey is one way to find out how people get to work and what they might find useful.
- Evaluate the worksite location: The location of the company relative to its employees can have a significant impact on the type of shuttle that is most suitable. For example, if the company is located in an area with limited public transportation options, a dedicated shuttle or ride-share shuttle may be the best option.
- Consider the size of the company: The size of the company can also impact the type of shuttle that is most suitable. Smaller companies may benefit from partnering with public transit agencies to offer transit passes to employees, while larger companies may have the resources to operate a dedicated shuttle.
- Consider the company’s budget: The cost of operating a shuttle can vary significantly depending on the type of shuttle and the number of employees who will use it. Employers should evaluate their budget to determine which type of shuttle is most feasible.
- Seek input from employees: Employers can also seek input from their employees to determine the type of shuttle that would be most beneficial. Surveys or focus groups can help gather feedback from employees on their transportation needs and preferences.
By considering these factors, employers can determine the most suitable mix of transportation options for their organization. It is important for companies to offer reliable and convenient transportation options to their employees in order to promote employee satisfaction and productivity.
Employer-provided transportation plus Pave Commute
Whether your company provides all or none of these private transportation offerings, a commuter engagement program is key to optimizing the use of all available options. Pave Commute is an app-based program for commuters that combines behavioral science and artificial intelligence to provide each commuter with personalized support and rewards them for making smart choices.
Sources
Header Image by Storyset
