April 26, 2008
DEATOMIZATION:
Suddenly, It's Cool to Take the Bus: Sky-high gas prices have more commuters switching to employer-subsidized transportation—and loving it (Michelle Conlin, 4/26/08, BW Magazine)
Companies are big on breaking the car addiction because doing so raises productivity, amps morale, and delivers much lusted-after green cred.The surge in oil prices has accelerated the trend. So have new corporate tax deductions for employer-subsidized transportation. Consider what's happening at insurer Safeco (SAF). When the company moved to Seattle last year, it installed commuting concierges to help employees figure out how best to use the company's vouchers for mass transit, shuttles, car pools, and ferries. Free rentals from Zipcar await those who need to run errands during the day. Safeco also encourages its staff to skip the commute altogether by offering free phone and broadband service for their home offices, as well as a furniture stipend with which to decorate. Today, 90% of employees are out of their cars, up from 50% in 2006. The company is aiming for zero-car status. Says Safeco transportation analyst Brady Clark: "We're still working on that 10%."
Some companies can't meet the demand fast enough. After Microsoft (MSFT) rolled out a new shuttle-bus service last fall, employees immediately howled for more routes. The plush, Wi-Fi-equipped coaches have become so wildly popular—strategy chief Craig Mundie is a big fan—that when word leaked recently that Microsoft was adding to the service, a group of Microserfs hacked into the reservation system and filled up the new routes before they were even announced. Employee Bryan Keller used to commute alone in his 20-mpg Honda Pilot. "I've regained two hours of my day," he says. Using Microsoft's online "carbon calculator," Keller estimates he's saved $150 on gas and dropped 1,000 pounds of CO2 from his carbon footprint since he began using the service in October.
Other than saving time and money and fostering civil society, mass transit makes no sense. Posted by Orrin Judd at April 26, 2008 11:58 AM
oj,
C'mon, tell us all about "mass transit" in Hanover?
Oh well, you're out and about on your bicycle, rain or shine or blizzard, while groovin' on your iPod tunes with your great bicycle speaker system!
More & more, you seem to lead with your chin!
Mike: Don't forget that wheelbarrow for when you need to carry stuff.
Posted by: Lou Gots at April 27, 2008 7:18 AMHanover actually has an excellent bus system. But we meet up with the neighbors and walk to school together.
Posted by: oj at April 27, 2008 8:28 AMMany years ago, I worked an assignment at a power plant in the desert west of Phoenix. I would drive down to I-10 (about 4 miles) and then catch a vanpool ride to the site (about 45 miles). It was about $50 a month (with 12 to a van). It was OK, especially in the summer, because I didn't stress my car out every day the 110 deg. heat. The utility employees rode for free.
Now, they pay over $100 a month (maybe $150, I haven't kept up). I don't even want to guess what contract employees might pay. But I'm sure you could drive a Corolla or a Civic or a Prius or a comparable small car for less. If I were working there, I would buy a Mini and at least try to enjoy the ride.
Posted by: jim hamlen at April 27, 2008 10:26 AM