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Carpool
The Easiest Way to Stop Driving Alone

Picture your daily commute with all its traffic and stress. Now, imagine cruising past that traffic in the HOV lane while enjoying conversation with a friend, coffee or peace and quiet.

In a carpool, you'll save time by using the HOV lanes and you'll save money by splitting those gas bills. Carpooling may also lower your insurance premiums; check with your agent for details. Your employer may even provide you with benefits like a carpool subsidy or preferential parking.

Best of all, carpooling is flexible. The driving duties, schedule and route are all up to you!

Make the Most of Your Carpool
Start Today

Starting or joining a carpool is easy. First, if you work for a large employer, contact your Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) for information about the carpool incentives your company offers. Your ETC may also know of coworkers looking for carpool partners.

Or you can visit Rideshare Online. Rideshare Online is Washington State's online ridematching system and it puts you in direct control of your daily commute. With just a few clicks you have instant access to others who are interested in sharing the ride. You can also call Community Transit at (888) 814-1300 and we'll enter your information into the database for you.

Vanpool
Riders Have a Lot in Common (Like Easy Commutes)

Instead of sitting in traffic, sail by it in the HOV lanes. Instead of emptying your wallet on gas, insurance and maintenance on your car, pay one low, monthly fee that covers everything. Instead of gripping the wheel and muttering at other drivers, read the paper, socialize or sleep on the way to work and start your workday with a smile!

A vanpool is a group of 5-15 commuters who ride to work together in a van provided by Community Transit. Vanpool groups share the responsibilities of driving and record keeping, with training provided by Community Transit. Qualified drivers have access to the van for limited personal use.

Vanpool vehicles are kept in excellent condition and groups are provided with loaner vans when their vehicle is being serviced. Fleet Coordinators are also on hand to provide personalized group assistance and 'round-the-clock emergency support.

Do you cross Puget Sound on your way to work? You'll love the priority loading that vanpools receive on our local ferries!

Vanpool drivers are also eligible for safety incentives and other rewards throughout the year.

Save Money

Vanpoolers pay a monthly fare based on their roundtrip mileage, the size of their van and how many riders are in the vanpool. This fare covers all maintenance, fuel and insurance costs. A van wash allowance helps your group keep its vehicle clean.

Vanpoolers can sometimes receive discounts on their personal auto insurance; check with your agent for details. Your employer may even offer financial subsidies or preferential parking for vanpool groups.

Clear the Air

Feel good about your commute! One vanpool can remove up to 14 vehicles from the road each day. In fact, Puget Sound area vanpoolers eliminate more than 11,000 vehicles from the region's roads daily.

Start Today

Learn more about vanpooling, call Community Transit at (425) 348-7194 or email vanpool at commtrans dot org. We'll help with everything from finding members for your vanpool to getting your van on the road and every step in between.

Transit
Makes time to work, read or relax

Let us do the driving for you! Riding the bus can be a convenient alternative to your daily commute. Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit serve Snohomish and King counties, providing many options for riders.

Enjoy the Ride

Get out from behind the wheel and spend your morning reading, socializing or just relaxing. To find out what bus to take for your next commute to work, try our trip planner.

Save money on gas, maintenance, insurance and parking while reducing wear and tear on your vehicle. Find out how much you could save by not driving with our cost calculator.

Take advantage of subsidized passes or other benefits your employer may provide. See your Employee Transportation Coordinator or ask your Human Resources department about benefits at your company.

Take a stand against traffic. A full bus can remove over 40 cars from our congested roads.

Park Your Car

Park & Ride and Park & Pool lots offer free, convenient locations to leave your car and catch a bus or meet your carpool or vanpool partners. There are numerous lots throughout Snohomish County. Find the one nearest you or contact Community Transit at (425) 353-RIDE (7433) or (800) 562-1375.

Bikes on Buses

You can also combine your bike commute with a bus ride. All regional buses are equipped with a rack that will hold most two-wheel bicycles, without allowing them to touch each other or the bus. Racks are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Community Transit also provides convenient, weatherproof bike lockers at many of its Park & Rides. These secure lockers make it easy to store your bike before catching a bus or meeting your carpool.

For a $50 refundable deposit, you'll receive a key and unlimited use of your locker. To lease a locker, contact the Bike Locker Coordinator at (425) 348-2355.

Start Today

Follow these simple steps for a smooth ride. Plan to arrive at the marked bus stop a few minutes before the scheduled arrival time. Pay the fare with exact change or a pre-purchased ticket or pass. When you approach your destination, signal the driver by pulling the bell cord or pressing the strip near the windows. It's that easy!

If you work for a large employer, contact your Employee Transportation Coordinator for bus schedules. You can also call Community Transit at (425) 353-RIDE (7433) or (800) 562-1375 or email us at riders at commtrans dot org. We're happy to help you plan your trip.

Bike & Walk
Make your daily commute your daily workout

If you live within several miles of your workplace, biking or walking a few days a week can be a great alternative to traffic hassles and commuting costs.

Commuting under your own steam is virtually cost-free, while owning and operating your own car can cost as much as 79 cents per mile (based on AAA's 2007 Driving Cost Analysis).

Best of all, you'll be on the road to fitness, burning calories, strengthening your heart and relieving stress all on your way to work, without starting up your car! You, and the air you breathe, will be in great shape!

Safety First

Choose the proper gear: comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a water bottle, etc. If you're riding, make sure your bike is in proper condition and always wear a helmet.

Ride and walk defensively. Be aware of traffic and obey all rules. Watch out for drivers who may not be watching out for you.

If possible, connect with a buddy... there's safety in numbers! Your Employee Transportation Coordinator or Human Resources department may know of other employees who would enjoy your company.

Bikes on Buses

If you live a bit further away from work, you might consider biking to a bus stop or Park & Ride and using one of the services that local transit agencies provide to cyclists.

All regional buses are equipped with a rack that will hold most two-wheel bicycles, without allowing them to touch each other or the bus. Racks are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Community Transit also provides convenient, weatherproof bike lockers at many of its Park & Rides. These secure lockers make it easy to store your bike before catching a bus or meeting your carpool.

For a $50 refundable deposit, you'll receive a key and unlimited use of your locker. To lease a locker, contact the Bike Locker Coordinator at (425) 348-2355.

Start Today

Call your local bicycle club or Parks Department to learn about convenient bike trails. Ask other employees who bike or walk what route they take. Consult a retailer about what equipment you'll need.

Check with your Employee Transportation Coordinator about worksite services for bikers and walkers. Many companies provide lockers, showers, bike racks and other amenities to their employees.

Compressed Work Week
Alternative work week schedules give you options

Employees who compress their 40 hours of work into less than five days take trips off the road and gain flexibility. Employees may work "4/10s" (four 10-hour days), "3/36" (three 12-hour days) or "9/80" (80 hours worked in nine days, with the tenth day off) or flexible schedules that avoid peak commute times.

There are advantages to both the employers and the employees with compressed work week schedules:

Employer Advantages:

Employee Advantages:

Check with your employer to see if Compressed Work Week is an option for you.

Telework

Work from home or a location closer to your home and save time and money. Teleworking can result in higher quality work at a lower cost. It empowers people to work independently and have greater control over their lives. That's why many experts are calling teleworking a significant new work arrangement for the millenium.

The rapid development of technology allows fast and easy movement of information. The increasing concern with the environmental, social and personal costs of commuting make telecommuting an attractive alternative. It increases a company's ability to recruit and retain the best employees. Many companies are feeling the pressure to improve their bottom line by doing more with less. Employees can more easily balance the demands of their work and home lives.

Is it for you?

Ideally, teleworkers have jobs that can be completed satisfactorily even when the employee is not always on site. They frequently live far from work, require a lot of time in the field or spend much of their time at a computer.

Getting started

Have the right equipment. This equipment may include a computer, access to the Internet, a phone, a printer, a fax machine and always includes a comfortable work environment.

Remain easily accessible to your coworkers, supervisor and business contacts.

Make sure your equipment is safe and properly installed, including protection against power surges.

Keep distractions at home to a minimum. Teleworking is not substitute for daycare.