Durham, NC — The Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG) has released the second annual list of the Triangle’s Best Workplaces for Commuters. The list recognizes leading, innovative employers committed to improving their communities by reducing traffic congestion and air pollution and improving the health and quality of life for thousands of commuters in the region.  TJCOG is the home for the Triangle Best Workplaces for Commuters Coalition, a group of transportation, environmental, health, and planning organizations dedicated expanding commuting options in the region.

Seven new employers – the News and Observer, Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., the Redwoods Group, EMC Corporation, the NC League of Municipalities, 2Plus, and First Environments – joined the 24 other Triangle organizations that qualified for the list last year.

In total, the thirty-one local employers offer more than 71,500 employees commuter incentives to reduce driving alone to work including bus and vanpool subsidies, preferred parking for carpoolers, telework options, and showers and lockers for bike commuters.  The local list of qualifying employers consists of large and small organizations throughout the Triangle, and represents a wide array of industries including high-tech, universities, government, and medicine.  For a complete list of 2004 Triangle’s Best Workplaces for Commuters, visit www.trianglebwc.org.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also released the 2005 list of Best Workplaces for Commuters from the FORTUNE 500 Companies. The list, exclusively for FORTUNE 500 companies, includes local employers IBM, Cisco Systems, Wyeth, and EMC Corporation.  The growing number of organizations qualifying for the list highlights the fact that, with rising gas prices, commuter benefits are now even more important to help employees reduce commuting costs. In addition, these progressive companies realize that commuter benefits address employee work/life balance issues, which contribute to employee job satisfaction and ultimately better employee performance, recruitment, and retention.

"Syngenta Biotechnology aspires to contribute to the health and quality of life of all of its employees and maintain a reputation as an employer of choice," said Bryan Newton, HSE Programs Manager at Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc.  "EPA's Best Workplaces for Commuters Program has provided a way for Syngenta to visibly demonstrate its commitment to achieving these goals.  With the support of site management and local organizations, Syngenta has provided its employees with a variety of services and conveniences that make alternative commuting options more accessible, such as onsite locker room facilities, transit and vanpool subsidies for employees, carpool / vanpool preferred parking, flex time, and more."

“Employers that qualify as Best Workplaces for Commuters show that they are committed to their employees and to improving the quality of life in the Triangle,” said Tobin Freid, Coordinator for the Triangle Best Workplaces for Commuters.  “We are proud of the companies that have already qualified and look forward to adding more to our list again next year.”

To qualify as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters, employers must provide:

• At least one primary commuter benefit, such as a monthly transit/vanpool pass subsidy, cash in lieu of free parking, or a significant telework program.

• At least three supporting commuter benefits, such as carpool incentives, lockers/showers for bikers or walkers, incentives for living near work, or onsite amenities such as day care or dry cleaning.

• A central point of contact for commuter information who actively promotes commuter benefits.

•  Access to an Emergency/Guaranteed Ride Home program.

About the Best Workplaces for Commuters

Best Workplaces for Commuters is an innovative partnership that distinguishes and provides national recognition to employers who offer their employees superior commuter benefits. These benefits help reduce air pollution, alleviate traffic congestion, and save fuel. They can also help employers save on taxes, reduce the need for parking facilities, and meet government trip reduction goals. For more details and to see if an organization qualifies, visit www.bwc.gov.

About the Triangle Best Workplaces for Commuters Coalition

The Triangle Best Workplaces for Commuters Coalition is composed of leading government, transportation demand management, and health organizations in the Triangle working to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and make commuting less stressful and costly. Members include the Triangle J Council of Governments, Triangle Transit Authority, Triangle Tomorrow, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources. NC Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Alliance, SmartCommute@RTP, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Raleigh-Wake Human Resource Management Association.