Employer Commute Information

Information
two people smiling at each other on a city bus
Explore employer resources for carpool, BIKETOWN, and transit. Plus, request assistance through Commute Consulting for Portland Businesses.

Explore employer resources to create a commute friendly workplace:  

  • Get There Oregon - Tap into resources and experts, plus Get There’s easy-to-use trip planning tool, Get There Connect. By using Connect, users can compare commute options, find a carpool, participate in challenges for the chance to win prizes, and track stats like reduced carbon emissions, calories burned, and more.   

  • Commute Options by TriMet– Includes information about pre-tax transit pass programs. 

  • BIKETOWN for Business – Provide your employees with an easy way to get around with discounted usage fees with a business membership. 

  • Commute Consulting for Portland Businesses - The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) offers consultations with employers seeking to boost awareness and use of transit and biking options. PBOT staff provide trip planning resources and are available to present at company meetings on transit and bike commute solutions. Email commute@portlandoregon.gov to get started. 


Top 5 strategies for a commute friendly workplace: 

How employees get to work affects their health, our climate, and your bottom line. Encouraging healthy, active commuting increases employee happiness and retention. 

  1. Promote flexible schedules so employees can travel off peak or telecommute. 

  1. Offer pre-tax transportation benefits like a free transit pass, subsidized Annual Memberships to BIKETOWN, or cash benefit to walk and bike. Tax law makes transportation benefits less costly than an equivalent pay raise and makes your workplace more competitive when recruiting employees. 

  1. Connect your employees to Portland SmartTrips – online and printed resources for getting around the city.  You can order Portland bike and walk maps, and provide to your employees, especially during onboarding. 

  1. Charge for parking on a daily per use basis (rather than monthly/annual or free parking). This provides flexibility and incentive to choose an active transportation mode. Funds collected by charging for parking can be used for commuter benefits, like subsidized transit passes, cash benefits to walk and bike, and emergency ride home programs. 

  1. Create a culture of climate friendly commutes by offering secure bike parking, showers, and participate in competitions like the annual Get There Challenge.

Information compiled by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT).