Today, Congressman Albio Sires introduced the Commute Less Act, a bill that will provide employers with the tools and resources they need to give their employees real transportation alternatives, such as rideshare and telework programs, or shuttle services to connect business parks with transit stations.
"Each year, the average American worker will spend 38 hours stuck in their cars commuting to and from work, at a cost of more than $800 annually," said Congressman Sires. "We can enhance the quality of life for our commuters and reduce fuel consumption and hazardous air pollution by encouraging employers to create and expand commuter benefit programs."
Many Americans drive alone because they don't feel like they have a choice in how they commute to and from work. However, employers who play an active role in promoting and providing transportation options for their employees can have a significant impact on how their employees travel to work. The Commute Less ACT of 2013 will help increase alternatives for commuters by leveraging private investment in transportation and facilitating a better connection between transportation planners, employers, and federal transportation dollars.
"Evidence shows that when we involve employers in the transportation process, we can make a real difference for their workers. With many Americans still struggling to make ends meet and high transportation costs placing a significant strain on their wallets, we should be looking at smart ways to help our workers save money, spend less time in traffic, and more time with their families," Congressman Sires remarked.