Coalition Partners Unveil 1st Annual Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters List
HOUSTON--July 9, 2003--It is no secret that Houston ranks high on the list when it comes to obesity, smog and traffic congestion. Now, there is a list in which Houstonians can take pride. Today, Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters Campaign(SM) Coalition announced the first annual list of Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM), which names 30 local companies that provide outstanding commuter benefits to more than 65,000 employees in the region.
Companies on the Best Workplaces list are being praised for offering employees a variety of commuter options, such as employer-provided transit passes, vanpool subsidies, bike facilities, telework programs and onsite day care. Studies show that using commuting alternatives decreases stress levels and saves commuters time and money.
"Commuting alternatives offer much more than convenient, cost-effective ways to get to work -- these companies are actually helping to relieve our traffic congestion and improve our air quality," said Stephan Sylvan, manager of the U.S. EPA Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative. "Furthermore, as the fourth-largest city in the country, Houston is ideal for Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM). The city has a strong presence of corporate headquarter offices, a vibrant economy and a vast array of commuter options available through the Commute Solutions partnership."
Houston is the first city in Texas, and third in the United States, to launch the Best Workplaces program honoring companies going the extra mile to provide transit benefits to employees. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative unveiled the Best Workplaces for Commuters concept in September 2002, with the San Francisco Bay Area as the first pilot city to kick off the campaign. Due to its success, the EPA was compelled to test the concept in other metropolitan areas, including Washington, D.C., and Houston. Today, more than 1,300 employers nationwide participate in the initiative.
"Houston currently ranks as Texas' most congested urban area, and it is estimated that Houstonians who commute at peak travel times spend 75 hours a year -- almost two full work weeks -- stuck in traffic," said Houston Mayor Pro Tem and City Council Member Gordon Quan. "Companies on Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) list deserve to be recognized for saving employees time and money, while helping clean up Houston's air and ease traffic congestion by taking cars off our roads."
A complete list of Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) is attached. Additionally, you may visit www.commuterchoice.gov for more information.
To qualify as one of Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM), businesses must provide the following benefits:
| -- | At least one primary benefit, such as tax-free transit |
| -- | Three secondary benefits, such as carpool matching, compressed work schedules and preferred or reduced-cost parking for carpools and vanpools |
| -- | A central point of contact, for information on employer-provided benefits |
The Houston-Galveston Area Council's Commute Solutions program and the U.S. EPA Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative formed Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) Campaign Coalition. The coalition is comprised of some of Houston's most influential organizations, including the Greater Houston Partnership, Greater Southwest Houston Chamber of Commerce, Houston-Galveston Area Council, Houston Minority Business Council, HR Houston and the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Coalition members play a key role in recruiting and assisting companies that qualify as Best Workplaces. Coalition members also update, publish and promote the list annually to the media, public and business community.
Companies that qualify as Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) also meet the National Standard of Excellence as established by the EPA's Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative, which serves to recognize employers nationwide that offer a comprehensive package of commuter benefits.
About Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) List
Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) List recognizes local companies offering outstanding commuter benefits, while encouraging companies that do not meet campaign requirements to become a part of this elite group of corporate and environmental leaders.
About Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM) Campaign Coalition
The coalition is composed of leading government and local business organizations working to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, cut global warming emissions and make commuting less stressful and less costly for employers and employees.
1st Annual List
2003 Houston's Best Workplaces for Commuters(SM)
Air Liquide America, L.P.
American Electric Power
Aramco Services Company
Baker Atlas/Baker Hughes INTEQ
BHP Billiton
CenterPoint Energy
Central Houston, Inc.
City of Houston
Deloitte & Touche
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Devon Energy
Dynegy Inc.
Employee Benefit Solutions
Enbridge Employee Services, Inc.
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Greater Houston Partnership
Houston Endowment, Inc.
Kinder Morgan
Marathon Oil Company
Marsh Houston
METRO
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
St. Luke's Episcopal Health Systems
TEPPCO
Texas Children's Hospital
The Methodist Hospital
TIRR Systems
UT Health Science Center at Houston
Waste Management
Williams