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Each car in the U.S. emits 4.5 tons of carbon dioxide each year. Isn't it time for change?

Does each employee really make that big of a difference?

Yes. A reduction in driving by just 15 miles each week will save 900 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The average American driver in 2006 emitted 11,450 pounds of carbon dioxide. If just 1000 employees in each of the top 25 US metropolitan cities switched to public transit, carbon dioxide emissions saved in one year (286,250,000 pounds) would offset all of Washington DC carbon emissions in roughly 28 years. calculate your carbon emissions

Taking public transportation is easy!

Since 1995, public transit ridership has grown by 25%. Are we finally doing away with the suburban myth and our car-happy culture? More and more Americans each year are making the switch and coming to the realization that we don't have to be so dependant of our vehicles. Convenience of taking public transit has improved dramatically over the years. Since 2001, public transportation service areas have grown by 13%. In the figure below, public transportation that reaches within 3/4 mile of commuter's homes has risen from 51% to 64% in just 6 years.

How can I help my employees switch to public transit?

Help your employees join more than 14 million people that are doing there part to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. A majority of commuters (81%) agree that offering commuter benefits demonstrates environmental leadership, due to reduced traffic congestion, air pollution and energy savings. Employers can do one of two simple things right now.

• Pre-Tax.

  Employers can actually make money by purchasing transit vouchers and save each employee up to 40% on their transit costs. Simply purchase the vouchers and deduct the amount of the vouchers from employees' paychecks. This saves the employer about 10% of the amount of the vouchers because of lower payroll taxes. The more you buy, the more you save. The current limit is $115 per each employee per month. Purchase transit vouchers.

• Subsidize.

  Employers can simply purchase transit vouchers and hand them out to their employees to help pay the employees' transit cost. The cost of the vouchers would be considered a deductible business expense.

Additional savings with public transportation...

Americans living in transit intensive cities save $20 billion annually in transportation costs by riding transit instead of driving to work. Let's look at the other side of this scenario. If all Americans who take transit to work drove alone, they would fill a nine-lane freeway from Boston to Los Angeles. In a typical metropolitan area served by public transit, Americans on average save between $1,300 - $3,000 per year on gasoline and also save between $6,000 - $11,400, if they no longer need that second car in the garage.

How to start?

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