Commuting to work without a car? Yes, it’s possible!
With increasing concerns about pollution, traffic congestion, and the rising cost of owning a car and the gas to make it move, more people are exploring alternative ways to get to work.
Options are abundant, particularly in major cities. With people searching for new ways to make their daily commute, public transit and micromobility are in high demand.
Edenred’s Commuter and Micromobility Benefits can assist in providing choices and making it more cost-effective for your team.
What Is the Best Way to Get Around Without a Car?
According to CapitalOne Bank, when you tally up “monthly payments, insurance, gas, maintenance, parking, tolls, registration fees and unexpected costs like accidents, flat tires or break-ins, the average annual cost of a car is nearly $9,000” if you drive 40 miles/day.
Living car-free starts to look like a great idea, especially when the pool of options available is expanding even in smaller cities and towns.
1. Embrace Public Transportation: A Communal Approach
Even if you own a reliable vehicle, public transportation, such as city buses, trains, and trams, remains a popular choice for daily commuting for numerous reasons.
Public transportation reduces traffic congestion and CO2 emissions while providing an efficient mode of travel.
Most bigger cities boast extensive public transit networks that cater to various destinations with lengthy schedules. Utilizing these services not only helps the environment but also saves money on fuel and parking fees.
Many cities even offer smart cards or mobile apps for easy payment and access to multiple modes of public transit for employees, and Edenred offers its very own Commuter Benefits Card, subsidizing the cost of the commute.
Edenred’s Commuter Benefits help employees pay for the daily commute via public transit using pre-tax earnings—up to $315/month for transit and $315/month for qualified parking.
Payroll deduction of pre-tax commuting dollars allows employers to save on payroll taxes, too.
2. Ride a Bike: A Pedal-Powered Solution
Dedicated bike lanes are being revamped and expanded in cities, both big and small, across the country.
These lanes offer safety and encourage cyclists to embrace this eco-friendly mode of transportation.
Biking offers flexibility and speed, allowing one to weave through traffic and reach a destination faster.
Additionally, biking to work provides an opportunity for daily exercise, making cycling an excellent option for those looking to stay fit, reduce their carbon footprint, and save money.
Like cars and taxis, bicycles are available to rent in many places in the U.S.
If don’t own a bike, you can obtain one from a number of bike sharing companies, including Lime, SPIN, and more.
A simple web search can help you find a company which provides easy accessibility to their bicycles.
These companies have docking stations scattered about participating cities, and users can rent or borrow from one station and return the bike to another that belongs to the same system.
When you want to ride, don’t want to sweat, or have longer distances to travel, electric bikes are a great option to pursue.
Due to growing popularity, e-bikes can now be purchased for as little as $499, with several quality options under $1,500.
A bill proposing a nationwide rebate for e-bike purchases has been put to Congress, asking for a refundable tax credit of 30% on the price of a new e-bike, with a maximum credit of $1,500.
This bill is in the early stages, but there are already many states that offer a rebate. Check to see if yours does here.
E-bikes are an eco-friendly change which could save you a great deal of money over time.
Using a scooter for your commute can be an efficient and cost-saving exercise. Scooters use far less gas than cars when traveling the same trip distance.
With top speeds of 15 to 20 mph, their small engines are quite green.
Thanks to their small size and increased ease of mobility, scooters allow a commuter to continue moving when normal traffic stops.
They emit far less carbon dioxide when idling, not to mention they’re a little more fun than riding in a car, weather permitting.
With an average speed of 15 to 20 mph, e-scooters can run about 7 to 15 miles on one charge, depending on the model.
In a world more focused than ever on being cleaner and greener, this type of vehicle produces zero emissions, as they use their battery to propel them, giving you the ability to reduce your carbon footprint.
Carpooling has gained momentum due to its potential to reduce traffic and expenses while fostering social connections.
Commuters can share the cost of fuel and parking, saving money for everyone involved in the process.
Finding someone who works in the same office is no longer your only option. Various online platforms facilitate carpooling, connecting drivers and passengers who share similar routes.
5. Telecommute or Remote Work from Home
Advancements in technology have made remote work increasingly feasible and popular, especially after the pandemic.
Companies now embrace telecommuting as a viable option, providing employees with laptops, video conferencing tools, and collaborative platforms from which to work.
Telecommuting saves commuting time and money, reduces congestion on the roadways, and allows for a more flexible work-life balance.
Companies may offer incentives like flexible work schedules or remote work options, allowing some employees the option of not having to come into the office at all.
6. Walk or Run: Get Healthy and Save Money
For shorter commutes, walking remains one of the simplest and healthiest options. Not only does it lower transportation costs, but it also promotes physical activity.
Aside from a pair of comfortable shoes, this mode of transportation requires no additional equipment.
Taking advantage of pedestrian-friendly infrastructures and safe crosswalks can enhance the experience.
A brisk walk burns calories, lowers body fat, boosts cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, improves sleep and mood, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
What Are the Benefits of Public Transportation and Micromobility?
1. Saving Money
Commuting without a car helps individuals save significantly on fuel, parking fees, and vehicle maintenance costs.
Public transportation and micromobility options often have economical pricing structures.
2. Reducing Environmental Impact
By relying less on cars, individuals can help reduce air pollution and carbon emissions. Public transportation and micromobility options contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
3. Improved Health and Well-Being
Cycling or walking to work promotes physical activity, improving cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
Public transportation can also offer opportunities for social interactions and stress-free commuting.
Using public transit allows commuters to utilize travel time for reading, catching up on work, socializing, or simply relaxing.
Public transit systems and bike lanes often bypass heavy traffic areas, allowing for a more predictable and timelier commute.
Edenred offers several innovative solutions to support commuting without a car.
Commuter Benefits programs provide financial incentives for employees to utilize public transportation, reducing commuting costs.
Micromobility make it easier to access and utilize e-scooters, e-mopeds, e-bicycles, corporate shuttles, and bike-sharing services.
Edenred’s technology platforms allow a business and individual employees to seamlessly manage and track their commuting expenses.
State-of-the-art online portals and mobile applications provide a user-friendly experience, simplifying the process of accessing and utilizing benefits.
With more freedom and flexibility than ever before, your employees will feel comfortable commuting to work with theseshared mobility options.
Commute To and From Work with Edenred
With public transit systems available in most cities, as well as the growing popularity and availability of micromobility options, individuals have a wide array of choices for their daily commute.
By taking advantage of alternatives, you can save money, reduce your environmental impact, and improve your overall well-being.
With Edenred’s Commuter and Micromobility benefits, the transition to a car-free commute becomes more accessible and convenient than ever before.
Schedule a meeting today, and embrace a sustainable, efficient commute in 2024!
