How Can Commute Solutions Help You?
Car break down? Moving? Starting a new job? Unhappy with your commute? Let us help! The H-GAC Commute Solutions team can help you find a better way to get to work or school. Join the over one million people in Greater Houston who have found their commute solution. Use the tips below to get started.
What Are My Options?
Walking and cycling are greats solutions if you live less than 1 mile away (2 miles if you bike) from work or school and promotes a healthy and balanced lifestyle:
- Can burn over 200 calories while traveling
- Decreases stress
- Saves between $2,000 to $3,000 each year*
Get tips for walking and bicycling safely from the Houston-Galveston Area Council.
*Source: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/spending/T061-S001-how-much-can-i-save-biking-to-work/index.php
Carpooling and vanpooling are great solutions if you don’t have access to public transit and live more than 2 miles away (10 miles for vanpool) from work or school. Benefits inlcude:
- Savings in personal vehicle fuel and maintenance
- Car insurance cost reduction
- Faster commutes using HOV lanes
Carpools should consist of small groups of 2-5 people; 5-15 for vanpool.
Visit METRO STAR Vanpool & Carpool for more information about carpool and vanpool options in our region.
If you are near a park and ride, transit or rail stop, and have a high frequency or direct connection, this could work for you. Benefits of riding the bus or rail include:
- Affordable and reliable transportation
- Reduced stress; relax while a professional driver takes the wheel
- Frequent commuters can earn free trips
- You may qualify for the Regional Emergency Ride Home Program if your route does not have mid-day service
Telework is an excellent, convenient “zero commute” solution for employees. Benefits include:
- Personalized work schedules
- One day of teleworking per week saves up to 40 hours per year in commuting time
- Improves concentration on difficult work tasks
- Teleworkers can save on average $3,000 - 7,000 in transportation and work-related costs*
View the Commute Solutions Telework Benefits Infographic
*Source: https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/cut-oil
The compressed work week helps reduce commute time and costs by shortening the work week with 9/80, 4/40, or 3/36 scheduling. Benefits of employing a compressed work week include:
- More opportunities for employees to balance personal responsibilities
- Improving work coverage for internal and external stakeholders
- Removes four to 16 commute trips a month, saving about $300 to 1,300 annually*
*Source: Houston-Galveston Area Council
Make Change Easy
- Try something new one day a week.
- Investigate a compressed work schedule like four 10 hour days or other alternative.
- Find a buddy! Try your new mode with a friend.
- Receive free emergency rides home for vanpool, METRO or Fort Bend transit.
- Learn from others! Reaching out to others who have made the switch to help find strategies to make change easier and long lasting.
Stay in Touch
Sign up for Commute Solutions email notifications about new transportation options, prizes, and incentives you can earn for biking, walking, carpooling, vanpooling, or taking mass transit.