Employee commute and group transportation are some of the biggest challenges for onsite or hybrid workplaces. American employees, for example, spend over 100 daily minutes and 16% of their income on driving, including their commute to work. However, other means of transportation aren’t always accessible or make sense, even for those who want to reduce their reliance on cars. For instance, public transportation can be unpredictable or inaccessible, especially for manufacturing and agricultural plants away from the city. The lack of control over timings and direct commute options adds to the stress of commuting for employees. Here’s how Bus.com can help organizations manage their commutes better with a flexible fleet and on-demand technology.
Driving anxiety-free employee commute solution
Despite the rising remote and hybrid work trend, commuting isn’t going anywhere. For many essential businesses, onsite transportation is crucial for success. For many North American employees, this can mean around 200 hours per year in commute. Unfortunately, this isn’t always time well spent. Even when it’s possible to drive, many employees can feel anxious to beat the rush hour traffic. With elevated levels of anxiety comes the risk of speeding, as well as the debilitating effect driving alone has on well-being. A comprehensive study by the University of Waterloo found that commuting to work by driving can significantly raise the risk of depression and exhaustion even before the day begins.
Combining a vetted and flexible fleet with an adaptable route can alleviate the stress of driving to work by reducing wait times and adjusting pickup locations. An on-demand shuttle also encourages a more ‘active commute’ experience recommended for increased productivity. For example, a remote worksite can connect to a distant suburb with ‘virtual’ stops convenient for employees residing in the area. As a result, a short walk followed by a commute with their co-workers can replace the monotonous drive or a long commute with changeovers. Bus.com can even help integrate modern features such as GPS tracking and employee attendance to improve the transparency of the employee shuttle, reducing time-crunch anxiety.
Shorter wait times, convenient pickups, and a safer commute
The public transit experience, while comparatively better than driving, still falls short when it comes to convenience. The average commute time for public transit is almost 50% higher than a car for most workers as per the US census report. Also, while it remains one of the most economical and eco-friendly commute options, the lower ridership in the post-pandemic era has increased crime rates and anxieties about health. A 2022 New York Times report explains the impact lower ridership has on perceived safety across major cities in America. The unpredictability of public transit presents the second challenge for commuters. Lack of transparency and dealing with uncertain wait times can increase anxiety and lead to a loss of momentum for employees.
On-demand technology paired with the untapped availability of private bus operators has the potential to make the commute safer and more predictable for employees. For instance, Bus.com already works with the top-rated bus companies in 50 states. The flexible fleet network offers an incredible diversity and availability of vehicles to pick up employees reliably. Centralized coordination and quality control by Bus.com ensure that employees can reach their worksites without jeopardizing their safety or spending too much time waiting for the buses. Bus.com can also integrate real-time bus tracking and driver apps to pinpoint an employee’s location, making it convenient for them to ride the bus. The best part about this idea is that it utilizes already existing technology and infrastructure, which reduces the time to launch a new service.
Greater flexibility to build an employee commute program that works
While commuting remains a challenge for millions of Americans, its nature is evolving. For example, a ‘3-day onsite, 2-day remote’ work schedule or a rotating use of office premises by teams makes it hard to implement a full-time shuttle program. For essential workers commuting to remote sites, managing carpools for a rotating shift schedule can be a full-time undertaking. Lastly, carpools are dependent on at least one employee driving, which can be restrictive as shift timings change.
In many ways ‘commute experience’ starts before the commute, and the ability to access the right vehicle at the right time can be the most crucial factor in improving the overall experience. On-demand technology and a flexible fleet can help employees finally focus on their role, making the experience so intuitive that it can be easier than driving or hailing a cab. This improved ridership experience can also be an important differentiating factor. As employers compete for the ever-shrinking workforce pie, offering the best commute experience can be their route to attracting and retaining talent.
What are the most challenging aspects of commuting to work for yourself or your team? Ask our experts to get tailored solutions for your employee transportation.
