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16 New England Companies/Organizations Join EPA's Commuter Choice Program; Harvard University Among 8 Participants from Massachusetts

Release Date: 04/23/2002
Contact Information: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1008

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that 16 companies and organizations in New England, including Harvard University in Cambridge, have joined the Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative (CCLI). The participating facilities employ more than 20,000 workers.

Employers joining the program agree to provide multiple commuter benefits, such as transit subsidies, flex-time, vanpools, shuttle service to transit stations, bicycle facilities, ride-sharing, and a guaranteed ride home in case of an emergency.

"These employers are demonstrating that it is both beneficial and profitable to provide innovative commuting options so employees do not have to drive to work alone," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator at EPA's New England Office, which is among the 16 CCLI members. "We commend these organizations for their leadership in providing valuable commuter benefits to employees that also reduce traffic congestion and air pollution."

Launched last year, CCLI is a joint EPA and U.S. Department of Transportation Program that provides tools, guidance, public recognition and other incentives to help U.S. employers of any size incorporate commuter benefits into their standard benefits plan. Participating companies earn the designation "Commuter Choice Employer," a mark of excellence for environmentally and employee-friendly organizations.

Harvard University, the largest employer in the City of Cambridge, became a CCLI member on April 12. The university is spending more than $1 million annually to provide a 40 percent subsidy on public transit costs for its more than 12,000 employees. Harvard's CommuterChoice program features a new a web-based carpool, vanpool, and "bike pool" matching service for people who want to share their ride to work. The site (http://www.commuterchoice.harvard.edu/) also features a Commuter Cost Calculator that allows people to quantify the relative costs of various commute modes.

According to Holly Bogle, Manager of Harvard's CommuterChoice Program, "web-based rideshare matching is a relatively new technology. We were able to partner with a developer to produce a customized on-line solution that allows employees to find matches within minutes."

Wyeth BioPharma, a growing biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing company in Andover, joined the program April 19. The company offers its hundreds of employees among the most generous sets of commuter benefits in Massachusetts, including 100 percent subsidized commuter rail and MBTA passes, free door-to-door shuttle service from employee homes to work in four neighboring towns, and an innovative cross-state express bus from neighboring New Hampshire to its Andover campus.

"We are committed to working with our partners in the community to reduce traffic, improve air quality, and provide our growing employee population with the benefit of a cost-effective, safe and efficient option to commute to work," says Chris Perley, site manager of Wyeth BioPharma. "It's the right thing to do." The company expects to add 400 additional employees by year's end.

Also approved as new CCLI members are CARAVAN for Commuters Inc. in Boston, MetroPool in Stamford, CT and Wheels Transportation Services Inc. in Berlin, VT, three non-profit organizations dedicated to providing assistance to commuters, companies and Transportation Management Associations. These organizations work everyday to identify innovative ways to solve commuting challenges.

"Developing and promoting commuter alternatives to reduce ride-alone commuting are among the most significant ways we can decrease pollution, save fuel, lower costs and reduce traffic congestion," said Carolyn DiMambro, Executive Director of CARAVAN for Commuters, which provides services to 500 companies across Massachusetts. "Our customized mobility programs benefit the environment and help companies attract and retain employees, improve productivity and boost their bottom line."

CCLI is part of a larger comprehensive strategy by EPA New England aimed at boosting energy efficiency practices and reducing pollution both from power generation facilities and the transportation sector. Pollution from passenger vehicles has an enormous impact on New England's air quality, water quality and climate, accounting for approximately one-fourth of all smog-forming pollution and one-fifth of the nation's emissions of carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas.

To date, over 250 employers across the country have volunteered to participate in CCLI, providing benefits to over 500,000 commuters. These employers represent the full spectrum of the American workforce – from large corporations with nearly 40,000 employees to small businesses with five employees. Attached is a list of the employers in New England who have joined the program.

If you are interested in providing commuter benefits to your employees, or enhancing the benefits you already offer, visit: www.commuterchoice.gov or call Lucy Edmondson (617) 918-1004.

April 2002