COMMUTE TRIP REDUCTION (CTR) aims to reduce drive-alone trips to and from work. By carpooling, vanpooling, walking, cycling, riding the bus, teleworking from home, and working flexible schedules, we reduce pollution, traffic congestion, and energy consumption. Mobility is critical to our region’s economic growth and quality of life. When employees, customers, freight, and support services travel streets and highways efficiently, our businesses and communities prosper. A program that helps employees find new ways to commute can benefit your business.
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"Sure I carpool. My wife drops me off at the
shop on her way to work every morning."
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• Reduce Stress and Improve Productivity
Flexible schedules and alternatives to commuting alone increase performance, productivity, and job site safety by improving morale and reducing stress and fatigue. Employees are more likely to arrive on time if they ride the bus, carpool, or vanpool.
• Reduce Employee Absenteeism and Health Benefit Costs
CTR programs reduce employee absenteeism and health benefit costs. |
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• Reduce Parking Demand
Fewer employee vehicles frees up parking for customers and reduces the need for new and costly parking facilities.
• Be Recognized as a Community Leader
People notice when businesses take action to reduce traffic and improve the environment.
• Reduce Traffic Congestion and Improve Freight Mobility
Less traffic means goods move faster, helping to hold down shipping costs and improve your bottom line.
• Attract and Retain High-quality Employees
CTR programs aid in recruiting and retaining good employees, sometimes resulting in reduced overhead. Flexible schedules, ridesharing, and telecommuting can increase the pool of qualified candidates and attract employees from outside the area. At a time when it is difficult to reward good employees, CTR programs can help! |
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CTR Works!
Statewide, more than 550,000 employees work at over 1,100 worksites participating in the CTR program. At these worksites, more people walk, cycle, ride the bus, carpool, vanpool and telework than in 1993, when the Legislature began the program. CTR has resulted in:
- An average 9.5 percent reduction in drive-alone commuting by workers at participating worksites.
- Approximately 20,700 fewer vehicles on our state’s roads during peak commuting hours.
- Annual savings of $9-11 million in fuel costs.
- An annual reduction of 5,000 tons of air pollution.
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"I live a few blocks away, so I walk to work
most days."
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• Take advantage of State and Federal Incentives
The IRS allows employees to pay for commute options, like transit passes, using pre-tax income, resulting in lower payroll taxes for employers. Employers and property managers who provide CTR incentives are eligible for Washington State B&O tax or public utility tax credits.
• Increase Employee Satisfaction
Flexible work schedules allow employees to take care of personal and family needs. Employees who rideshare appreciate reducing transportation costs, and enjoy the camaraderie. |
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Information and Resources |
Find more Information on Commute Trip Reduction employer benefits, including how to become eligible for state and federal incentives:
Thurston Regional Planning Council
Thurston Commutes - Learn about CTR program goals and requirements, state and federal incentives, commute options, and find resources to help you start a CTR program at your workplace. www.thurstoncommutes.org
Thurston Here to There – Thurston Here to There is a coordinated set of activities that aim to improve access to travel options for people who live, work, play, and go to school in Tumwater, Bucoda, Rainier, Tenino, Yelm, and Thurston County’s other outlying communities.
www.trpc.org/regionalplanning/thurstonheretothere
Washington State Department of Transportation
CTR Program – Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Commute Trip Reduction Program homepage is the portal to CTR information and employer resources.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/TDM/CTR
TDM Library – WSDOT’s TDM (Transportation Demand Management) Library provides information on state and federal incentives available to employers who implement CTR programs.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/TDM/library