Coalition Announces First Annual List of the
Puget Sound's Best Workplaces for Commuters©

249 organizations and 2 districts, representing nearly 450,000 employees,
join EPA's national list of Best Workplaces for Commuters

View a PDF of the list of Puget Sound's Best Workplaces for Commuters©.

Puget Sound Commuting fast facts.

Puget Sound's Best Workplaces for Commuters© Coalition Background

Seattle P-I Article: "Paid for not taking the car to work"

Seattle, WA (October 18, 2006) - Today a coalition of business and government organizations are releasing the first annual list of the Puget Sound's Best Workplaces for Commuters. The list spotlights 249 employers and two districts offering superior commuter benefits to 449,600 employees in the Puget Sound area.

The coalition is comprised of Commuter Challenge, enterpriseSeattle, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, King County Metro, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Puget Sound Regional Council, Seattle Urban Mobility Group, Washington State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, Washington State Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This year's list includes a diverse list of employers, including Holland America, City of Renton, Stevens Pass Ski Area, Harborview Medical Center, Snohomish County, Heller Erhman LLP, Parsons Brinckerhoff, and ZymoGenetics.

"Commuting can lead to stressed-out employees and a stressed environment," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "These leading companies are relieving commuter strain, improving the quality of life for their employees, and the quality of the environment for their communities."

The Puget Sound is one of nine communities across the country giving special recognition to local employers that qualify for the national list of Best Workplaces for Commuters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that 1,885 employers providing top-notch commuter benefits to more than 3.5 million in 41 states and the District of Columbia are on the list. Furthermore, EPA is recognizing 133 FORTUNE 500 companies on the list including local employers Microsoft, Starbucks, Aetna, Boeing, Amgen, Safeco Insurance, Verizon, and Weyerhauser.

Best Workplaces for Commuters participating employers must offer their employees superior commuting benefits such as employer provided transit passes, vanpool subsidies, bike commuter facilities, onsite day care, and telework programs. To qualify, organizations must provide:

• A central point of contact for information, who actively informs employees of commuter benefits available.
• Access to a regional or employer-provided Guaranteed/Emergency Ride Home program.
• At least one primary commuter benefit, which can include a monthly transit/vanpool pass subsidy, cash in lieu of free parking, or a significant telecommuting program.
• At least three supporting commuter benefits, such as carpool/vanpool incentives, lockers/showers for bikers or walkers, incentives for living near work, or onsite amenities such as day care or dry cleaning.

About EPA's Best Workplaces for Commuters

Best Workplaces for Commuters© is a free and voluntary government to business program that recognizes employers nationwide that offer a comprehensive package of superior commuter benefits. Participating organizations must meet a National Standard of Excellence established by EPA. Best Workplaces for Commuters© improve employee job satisfaction and save money from reduced payroll taxes. Employees enjoy reduced stress and delays caused by driving alone to work and save money by using employer-provided commuter benefits and reducing use of personal vehicles. To learn more about the program, visit .

About the Puget Sound's Best Workplaces© for Commuters Coalition

The Puget Sound's Best Workplaces for Commuters Coalition is composed of leading government and business organizations in the Puget Sound working to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, cut global warming emissions, and make commuting less stressful and costly for employers and employees. Members include Commuter Challenge, enterpriseSeattle, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, King County Metro, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Puget Sound Regional Council, Seattle Urban Mobility Group, Washington State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, Washington State Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For additional information about the Puget Sound's Best Workplaces for Commuters effort or the coalition, contact Steve Gerritson, executive director for Commuter Challenge, at (206) 389-8656 or sgerritson@commuterchallenge.