GOVERNMENT

HERNDON, Va.-- HPTi announced that it has been placed on the first-ever list of Greater Washington DC Region's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM), which spotlights employers that are committed to reducing traffic and air pollution and improving qualify of life for commuters. These metro region employers offer their employees superior commuting benefits like free or heavily discounted transit passes, vanpool subsidies, preferred parking for car and vanpools, bike commuter facilities, onsite day care, and telecommuting. "Washington DC Region residents perceive traffic to be one of the area's biggest problems, and every workday, congestion causes commuters to spend wasted time in their cars," said Nicholas Ramfos, director of the Commuter Connections program for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. More than 2.2 million people commute each day in the Washington Region, and more than 70 percent of them drive to work alone. The average annual Washington Region traffic delay per capita for 2000 was 84 hours compared to 62 hours nationally. Congestion cost the Washington Region commuters $2.3 million annually or $1,595 per commuter. Almost 52 percent of the Washington Region's carbon monoxide comes from motor vehicles. Companies on the Greater Washington DC Region's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) list are recognized as one of the area's best companies from a commuter benefits standpoint for their commitment to saving their employees time and money, while reducing the traffic congestion and air pollution. The list was compiled by the Greater Washington DC Region's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) Coalition, which includes Commuter Connections, General Services Administration, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Metropolitan Washington Work/Life Coalition, National Capital Planning Commission, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. On June 25, the coalition launched Greater Washington DC Region's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) list with an invitation letter and application form to thousands of employers in the region. Seventy-six employers representing more than 71,000 employees qualified as Greater Washington DC Region's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM). "We have always been committed to contributing to a high quality of life for our employees," said Tim Keenan, President of HPTi. "Our Metrocheck Program eases the financial strain of daily commuting for our employees while encouraging the use of public transportation, reducing pollution and traffic." Organizations that offer employees choices about how they get to work report improved employee recruiting, job satisfaction, productivity, and retention. They can also save on taxes (since they pay no federal income taxes or payroll taxes on these benefits), and enhance their corporate image and community relations. A recent study showed that 8 of 10 employees would use commuter benefits if they were offered in their work place.