Our world has come a long way since the pandemic. Even for the way we commute to the office. With so many commuting options available, our commuting habits may have changed. So what does the future of commuting look like in the new year and beyond?
Tech-powered commuting
Technology makes the world go round, and now it can make commuting less stressful. By buying pre-booked seats, you can reserve your seat and have peace of mind that you won’t be left behind due to overcrowding.
The Whim app, for example, monitors your travel patterns and shares data on how you use everything from bikes to trains and buses with various transport providers. You can then book tickets for any mode of transport in just one app.
If you are driving, apps such as Waze allow drivers to share valuable data on traffic, so routes can be better planned and hopefully less congested.
Cycling & micromobility
Micromobility is lightweight vehicles such as bicycles and scooters.
During the pandemic, interest in cycling surged across the country. Even before the pandemic, a Deloitte study had predicted that the number of people who bike to work would double in many places by 2022.
Cycling has many benefits for physical and mental health. It keeps you active, alert, and sharp, all of which will spill over into your productivity in the office.
Sales of e-bikes also boomed in 2020. E-bikes and motorized scooters can provide a practical alternative for those who don’t want to hop on a traditional bike.
Flexible work schedules
Post-pandemic, we could see commuting costs decrease in response to new working patterns and routines. Many firms have now started offering flex-scheduling, allowing employees greater control over their hours – and their commutes.
And could we possibly be looking at a 4-day work week? What started as an experiment in the UK now has the attention of US Automakers and could be a serious possibility for the future of work here in the US.
The role of benefits in commuting
Whether your employees are commuting by car, rail, rideshare, or biking – there are costs associated with their travels.
Consider offering commuter benefits to entice your employees to use public transportation or micromobility options. These benefits allow employees to set aside money in their paychecks tax-free every month to pay for commuting costs. Those savings mean employees pay less in tax on those earnings. The current limit is $280 per month and increasing to $300 per month starting in January 1st, 2023.
They can spend this money on mass transit, qualified paid parking, or rideshares. The money is paid directly to a transit or parking vendor or set up on a voucher or debit card.
The bottom line
Commuting will likely remain a part of life for most working adults. But with options like micromobility and mass transit, you can easily encourage employees to find the best commute for them.
To learn more, schedule a meeting with us today so we can help you find the options for you and your employees.
