Commuter Connections proudly recognized local employers Tuesday for their outstanding commute alternative programs, hosting the 24th annual Employer Recognition Awards ceremony at the National Press Club in the District of Columbia.

Commuter Connections is a program of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).

Commuter Connections recognized the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), GEICO, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), with awards for their incentives, marketing, and telework programs, respectively. In addition, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) received the 2021 Employer Services Sales Team Achievement Award and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) received the 2021 Employer Services Organization Achievement Award.

TPB Chair Charles Allen and representatives from the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.

“The employers we are honoring today have implemented innovative and successful commuter and telework programs,” said Charles Allen, District of Columbia Councilmember and TPB Chair. “We hope that through their example, other organizations will embrace similar initiatives, creating more opportunities to maximize the efficiencies of shared commutes.”

A selection committee evaluated a wide pool of employers, all of which focused on improving their community through commute alternative programs. Ultimately, the selection committee chose the winners based on their ability to offer measurable commuter benefits that reduce gasoline consumption and emissions through fewer vehicle trips and miles traveled, and for implementing policies that have improved the commutes of their employees. By incentivizing and marketing these policies and programs, employers help the region reduce traffic congestion and emissions.

“We are thrilled to honor ASHA, GEICO, and NIAID for their ongoing dedication to promoting commuting alternatives for their employees,” said Nicholas Ramfos, Commuter Connections Director. “I look forward to seeing how these organizations continue to grow and develop their programs, inspiring other employers to do the same.”

The 24th annual Employer Recognition Awardees are listed below along with a summary of their efforts to improve employee commuting and advocate for commuting alternatives.

Incentives Award

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) received the 2021 Employer Recognition Award for commuter incentives. NIAID offers a variety of commuter incentives, including carpool and vanpool parking, electric vehicle charging stations, secure bike parking, a bike trail, and showers and lockers. NIAID offers employee health and wellness classes and on-site fitness areas, as well as a cafeteria, coffee shop, and two outdoor dining areas that encourage employees to stay on campus for lunch. Of its 4,500 regional employees, 40 percent telework up to eight days a month, supported by NIAID’s flexible scheduling. NIAID is located just a half-mile from a Metrorail station and 37 percent of employees receive a transportation subsidy up to the federal limit. As a result of its various commuter benefits and amenities offered, NIAID has saved an average of 11,700,000 employee vehicle miles and an estimated 534,000 gallons of gasoline annually.

Marketing Award

GEICO received the 2021 Employer Recognition Award for the marketing of its commuter benefits program. GEICO matches employee contributions to the Metrorail SmartBenefits up to $110 per month and encourages bike commuting through its installation of bike racks, lockers, and showers. GEICO promotes its commuter benefits program to employees through new hire orientations, bi-annual benefits fairs, its intranet, emails, and brochures within the cafeteria and break rooms. GEICO also partners with Montgomery County Commuter Services to promote participation in annual events such as the Walk and Ride Challenge and Bike to Work Day. Through marketing its commuter programs to its employees, GEICO has helped reduce employee vehicle miles by 1,384,000 and save an estimated 62,910 gallons of gasoline annually.

Telework Award

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) received the 2021 Employer Recognition Award for its telework program. Since 2004, ASHA has grown its telework program from one of every six employees to one of every two employees teleworking up to 66 percent of their total workdays. Entirely remote throughout the pandemic, ASHA provided equipment such as laptops, home monitors, and desk chairs and provided each employee with $500 to purchase home-office supplies. ASHA’s “Wellbeing Navigator” provided ergonomic sessions so employees remain comfortable within a home/office setting. The organization has also maintained a flextime program that allows staff to manage their individual work schedule arrangements. ASHA’s telework and work schedule alternatives programs have helped reduce employee vehicle miles by 700,650 and save an estimated 31,848 gallons of gasoline annually.

Employer Services Sales Team Achievement Award

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) won the 2021 Employer Services Sales Team Achievement Award. During the past year, with just three full-time sales representatives, DDOT made more than 3,200 contacts with employers in the District of Columbia and its goDCgo staff held 88 webinars and virtual meetings. Selection of the award was based on information provided by the sales teams as part of their required monthly reporting to COG and TPB and through ongoing database verifications. DDOT’s goDCgo program is proudly supported by Foursquare ITP, Steer, and Clark Concepts.

Employer Services Organization Achievement Award

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) received the 2021 Employer Services Organization Achievement Award for its tireless efforts in aiding Fairfax County employers through the impacts of the Metrorail Platform Reconstruction Projects. FCDOT coordinated with local, regional, state, and federal partners to engage with more than 1,400 Fairfax County employers in its customized planning to help prepare essential employees and vulnerable transit users to rethink their commutes during the service disruptions.

CONTACT: 
Megan Goodman, mgoodman@mwcog.org, (202) 962-3209
Michael Henrich, mhenrich@asc-pr.com, (914) 821-5100