Traffic congestion isn’t just a commuter’s headache – it also has real costs for businesses. While our region’s population doubles every 20 years, our roadways don’t. Leasing or building parking costs anywhere from $10,000 to more than $60,000 per parking spot; time in traffic reduces productivity; and retention rates suffer when employees have no option beyond driving alone to work.

A multimodal transportation demand management (TDM) program can boost recruitment, retention, and your organization’s growth. TDM plans aren’t just for huge tech companies!

A TDM plan can include carpool matching; subsidized transit passes or vanpools; telework or flexible work hours; carpool matching; preferred or discounted parking for carpools and vanpools; commuter lunch & learns, vendor fairs, or Mobility Camps; telework or flexible work hours; or employee surveys. Those are just a few examples of commuter benefits that help employers address the time and money lost to traffic congestion.

Businesses that offer a suite of commute options also gain:

· Measurable DEI benefits - the high cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle or living with disabilities impacts the ability to drive. Providing benefits that connect all employees with commute options is true equity and inclusion.

· Cost savings - shifting employees to active and shared commutes puts less pressure on expensive parking leases.

· Sustainability gains - The average person in the U.S. emits 14 tons of CO2 each year from driving. Encouraging employees to shift their commutes could reduce carbon emission by as much as 25%.

· An expanded talent pool - with the costs of owning and operating a new vehicle at more than $12,000 annually, commute benefits that include multiple transportation options can help your workplace recruit and retain top talent.

Movability works with employers of all sizes in Central Texas to help them develop and implement TDM plans. With a decade-plus of major infrastructure construction starting, there’s never been a better time to connect employees with more commute modes!

Read more about Movability membership and programs including TDM planning services, Mobility Camps, MovePass, the Best Workplaces for Commuters Program, and GoGrant.