Commute Alternatives

Public Transit Services

Public transit is one of the most popular commuting alternatives. It is flexible enough to serve as both primary and backup transportation.

Public transit services include:

• Local buses make numerous stops on local streets.
• Express buses provide long distance service with limited stops.
• Shuttle buses provide specific targeted service over a short distance.
• Trains operate on commuter, light rail and subway lines.

How can employers promote public transit?
While some employers actually provide express or shuttle buses for their workers, most promote existing transit service in these ways:

• By creating a “transit center” on their worksite to provide information on schedules, routes and fares
• By selling free or discounted passes to employees
• By allowing transit users to adjust their work hours to meet bus or train schedules (flextime)
• By offering an Emergency Ride Home program to transit users

How can public transit benefit employers and employees?
Public transit offers the following benefits for employers and employees:

• It lessens employee travel costs.
• It reduces commuting-related stress.
• It reduces parking demand at the worksite.
• It provides greater travel time flexibility.

How can an employer promote public transit?
To promote transit service at your worksite, you should work with your local Transportation Management Association (TMA) and local transit operators to:

• Identify the routes, schedules, stops and fares for transit services operating near your worksite
• Determine which existing routes may be attractive to employees, with the help of your local TMA, NJ TRANSIT or other local operators
• Provide and display maps and schedules for services
• Arrange for on-site sale of transit passes, or learn where they can be bought
• Establish support strategies, for example, Emergency Ride Home, transit subsidies, occasional parking.