Commuter benefits are a fantastic way for employers to show their commitment to the well-being and happiness of their employees. These benefits can take many forms, such as shuttles, vanpools, and carpools, and they can have a significant impact on employee satisfaction and retention, as well as on the environment and the community.

One of the most obvious advantages of commuter benefits is that they can help reduce traffic congestion. According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Americans spend an average of 54 hours a year stuck in traffic. Commuter benefits can help alleviate this problem by encouraging employees to carpool, vanpool, or take shuttles or public transportation. For example, Google provides a free shuttle service for employees who live in San Francisco and the surrounding areas, reducing the number of cars on the road and decreasing traffic congestion.

Another perk of commuter benefits is that they can help reduce the environmental impact of commuting. Cars and trucks are a major source of air pollution, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Employer-sponsored commuter benefits can help reduce these emissions by encouraging employees to take advantage of shared mobility options. For example, Patagonia, an outdoor clothing and gear company, offers a vanpool program that provides employees with a convenient and environmentally friendly way to get to work.

Commuter benefits can also have a positive impact on employee satisfaction and retention.

According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, employees who have access to commuter benefits are more satisfied with their jobs and more likely to stay with their current employer. For example, Facebook offers a commuter benefits program that includes a pre-tax transit benefit, which helps employees save money on their commute and feel more satisfied with their jobs. 

In addition to these merits, commuter benefits can also help employers save money. In fact, employers can save up to $3,000 per employee per year by offering commuter benefits. For example, General Motors saved $4.5 million in one year by offering a vanpool program to its employees.

In conclusion, offering commuter benefits like shuttle, vanpool and carpool to employees can be a win-win for both employers and employees. And when all of these alternative commute solutions are offered on a single platform like flexigo, more employees take advantage of them because they are so easy to use. Employers can save money and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, while employees can save money on their commute, have a more pleasant and reliable commute and feel more satisfied with their jobs. It's a great way to show commitment to employees and to the environment. Many companies, both in tech and non-tech industries, have already implemented commuter benefits, and it's time to follow their examples.

By Dave Gallon - Managing Director US, flexigo