Each year, Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) announces the annual list of employers who meet the program’s National Standard of Excellence. Those listed provide exceptional commuter benefits and collectively change how more than 2 million employees and students commute to and from work each day.
Employers named to the list demonstrate a strong commitment to their employees by providing outstanding commuter programs, like telework, discounted transit passes, bicycle-friendly amenities, rideshare solutions and emergency ride home programs.
This year, three companies that work with OCTA to facilitate commuting options were named to the list. They include CSU Fullerton, City of Anaheim and UC Irvine.
All take advantage of resources administered by OCTA, including the OC Vanpool Program that provides free program implementation and helps launch and maintain vanpool programs that enable employers to attract, retain, and nurture their employees. The program adds an employee benefit, eases parking problems and can help meet SCAQMD requirements. This super carpool requires only five employees who travel together in a leased van with costs partially subsidized by OCTA.
OCTA provides services that make vanpooling successful:
- $400 monthly subsidy ($500 for qualified groups) per vanpool – equal to roughly 25% of the monthly fuel and lease costs
- Guaranteed Ride Home for unplanned emergencies (2 incidents per year)
- Support to implement, grow and maintain a corporate vanpool program – at no cost to employers
- OCTA vanpools must remain open to the public in order to receive the subsidy so our staff can assist in finding riders from other employers when ridership is low
In addition, those on the Best Workplaces for Commuters list and other employers in Orange County are also eligible to participate in OCTA’s Telework Assistance Program, a pilot program for those interested in developing, enhancing or formalizing their long-term telework or remote work initiatives. To learn more about the free Telework Assistance Program, click here.
Learn more by contacting Kristopher Hewkin at 714-560-5331 or khewkin@octa.net