Happy New Year! There’s no better time to create goals that will have a beneficial impact on your organization and the community at large than at the start of another trip around the sun. Here are five great ways you can make smart commuter management a priority in 2017.
#1: Collect More Information
The essential first step in generating behavior change is understanding the commuting habits of your organization’s members. Specifically, there are four key things you need to know:
- What are the primary mode(s) of transportation currently in use among members?
- How aware are members of the transportation benefits you currently offer?
- What is the single most important consideration for members when choosing a way to get to work? Time? Cost? Something else?
- What benefits or incentives would get members to try out an alternative mode of commuting?
Finding answers to these questions through commuter surveys will help you create a transportation program that’s got a much better chance of success.
#2: Experiment with Incentives
Providing incentives for leaving single-occupancy vehicles behind is a proven way to vastly increase program participation rates. Incentive programs come in many forms, with popular options including:
- Pre-tax reimbursements for employees who use qualified modes of transportation
- Preferred or lower-cost parking for carpool drivers
- Parking cash-out programs that offer monthly payments to employees who give up their parking spots
- Friendly individual- or team-oriented in-house competitions, with prizes for the winners who log the most miles or make the most trips using qualified modes of travel
Plan some experiments to try during 2017 and see which strategies best engage your commuters!
#3: Promote Transit as an Alternative to Solo Driving
Public transit is a great way for employees to save money, reduce congestion and pollution, and reduce wear and tear on their vehicles. Try offering partially or fully subsidized local transit passes and watch ridership soar.
#4: Participate in Bike to Work Week
Every spring, Bike to Work Week becomes a national initiative that helps get people moving and encourages greater numbers of commuters to make a permanent switch. Join in a Bike to Work Week being planned for your city or region, or if there’s not one in the works – help make it happen!
#5: Adopt a Comprehensive Commuter Management Tool
Commuters and administrators alike can benefit from a comprehensive platform like RideAmigos. Easily implement advanced carpool matching, distribute surveys, create networks and challenges, launch incentive programs, track results, and much more!