Traffic in the metro area is no joke. And it’s not just how much money you spend on your daily commute that isn’t funny. It’s the added stress of trying to get anywhere on time.
The good news is that Atlanta, like many other congested cities, is making strides in encouraging commuters to find alternatives to driving. The number of commuters who carpool, vanpool, take transit, ride a bike, walk to work or telework three or more days per week in Atlanta is up 20 percent since 2007.
Last year, several regional transit groups formed Georgia Commute Options (www.gacommuteoptions.com) to help metro Atlantans find free services to get to and from work. According to a 2011 Metro Atlanta Regional Commuter survey, of people who use commute alternatives, 40 percent telework, 30 percent carpool or vanpool, 28 percent use transit and 2 percent bike and walk.
Why give the alternatives a try? It’s good for the environment, there may be health benefits, it’s less stressful than getting stuck in traffic snarls and it saves money.
Georgia Commute Options has incentives for carpoolers and vanpoolers in the form of gas cards, but anyone who switches from solo to a commuting alternative can also earn $3 per day, up to $100 in a 90-day period. Anyone who already uses an alternative form of commuting also can earn a $25 gift card in a random monthly drawing.
The coalition also offers a Guaranteed Ride Home program. If you have an emergency, Georgia Commute Options will reimburse up to five trips home per year, via taxi or other service, but you must sign up for the service before the event occurs.
Here are some current and evolving commuting alternatives and how they may save (and earn) you money:
Carpooling
You use your car and share the ride to work with your friends or co-workers. Register online through the Georgia Commute Options website to find willing carpoolers. Once you find a match, be sure to register for special incentives. Carpools with three people can earn a $40 gas card per vehicle each month and carpools with four or more people can earn a $60 gas card each month. The incentive money comes from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Carpooling (or vanpooling described below) everyday, can save you more than $2,000 per year.
Vanpooling
This alternative to carpooling is typically set up by an employer, a building or co-workers who pool their money and cover gas. They generally meet at a park and ride location then drive to work. Some groups have designated drivers; others rotate driving duties. This option is ideal for commuters who have a long drive. Employers will often subsidize the cost, and both employers and commuters can get tax benefits. You can find existing vanpoolers online and you qualify for some of the same incentives as carpoolers.
Transit
MARTA offers many passes and discounts that can help you save money. Passes range from $9 for a one-day pass to $95 for a 30-day pass. There are also discounts for students, seniors and corporate partners, which get discounts based on the number of employees enrolled. Some companies may also subsidize the cost for employees who take public transportation.
MARTA serves Fulton and DeKalb counties, but depending on where you are commuting to or from you may also benefit from transit systems in Gwinnett, Cobb, Henry and other counties. There are also neighborhood commuting options such as “The Buc,” Buckhead’s free shuttle, and Cliff Shuttles in the area of Emory University.
Car Sharing
This newer commuting option is still evolving and is probably best for those who need a car for limited use instead of a daily commuting — for instance, a teleworker who only goes into the office occasionally. In some cases, you may rent a car from another person. Websites such as Relayrides.com will match you with people in your area who are renting out cars for an hourly or daily price, with insurance options also offered. More commonly, you rent a car from a business such as Zipcar. Rates can range from $8.25 per hour to $50 per month depending on your needs. There’s a handy map at Zipcar.com with metro locations, but you have to get yourself to them to use the service.
There are also app based services like Lyft.com and Uber.com which leverage technology to offer you a ride whenever and wherever you need it. You use the app to request a ride. A driver shows up. When your ride is complete, your credit card on file is charged. No tipping required. And if you ride with friends, Uber will automatically split the bill evenly so no one has to pay you back.
Bicycle/Walk
These are also good choices for anyone looking to improve their health and you can always combine biking or walking with another commuting alternative and still save money and earn incentives. Atlanta Bicycle Coalition helps you stay on top of new bikeways that have been completed so you can plan a safe route.
Telework/ Compressed Work Weeks and Flextime
Work from home, work “off” hours, or work 40 hours in four days. Any of these options can reduce the time and money you spend on your commute and all are becoming more acceptable in a range of industries. If you need help making the case to your boss, Georgia Commute Options offers services and assistance to commuters and employers.
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