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Category: Diamond Ring SAFECO,
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SAFECO's commute
reduction efforts start from the top
SAFECO was founded in 1923 as the General
Insurance Company of America. Since its creation it has
grown into a Fortune 500 company and one of the leading
insurance and diversified financial service providers in
the country. With more than 17,000 employees nationwide,
many financial experts count SAFECO as one of the
best-managed companies in the country. This year SAFECO
is awarded the Diamond Ring for its continued excellence
in providing commute reduction programs and incentives.
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Jan. 18, 2001 Awards
Ceremony Jeff Aumell, John Resha, Roger Harbin and Steve Provo accept a Diamond Ring Award for SAFECO. |
Approximately 60% of total employee commute costs are subsidized by SAFECO. As a result, nearly 50% of its Puget Sound employees use at least one alternative commute mode. Of the 2,430 that use other than single occupancy vehicles to commute to work, 760 carpool, 640 ride the bus, 580 vanpool, 150 telework, 150 work a compressed schedule, and a total of 150 people bike or walk to work. SAFECO's impressive results could not be achieved without corporate support and encouragement.
Leadership
paramount at SAFECO
SAFECO provides its employees many options for
reducing their commute costs. It hosts an intranet site
with commuting information that receives an average of
700 hits a day. The company also participates in the
RideQuest.com external ridematching service that has
attracted over 500 SAFECO applicants seeking carpool
opportunities in its first year.
The company provides additional transit, vanpool, carpool, bicycling and walking incentives. Commuters travelling via bus are provided a subsidy up to two-thirds of the total cost per month depending on location. Vanpoolers are given a monthly $30 stipend, and the vanpool receives conveniently located parking. Carpooling employees park for free at SAFECO worksites where employees are charged for parking. Bicyclists and walkers are provided an incentive of $1 per day.
“By providing substantial information resources and a broad range of subsidies and incentives, we achieve incredible results,” Transportation Program Manager Jeff Aumell said. “These results, however, are not just trip reduction statistics and less parking, rather they are evidence of reduced employee stress and distraction. This is a key to being recognized as a corporation seeking solutions to our communities' challenges.”
SAFECO management also participates in regional transportation organizations and committees addressing mobility in the Puget Sound region.
This multiple Diamond Award winner never rests on its laurels. SAFECO has plans to expand its subsidies and incentives in the year 2001. This year a Puget Pass will be offered to employees, allowing them greater flexibility. The Federal Way and Mountlake Terrace locations, currently not eligible for the aforementioned benefits, will see a transportation subsidy increase from the daily 75 cents to $1 for any employee taking the bus, vanpooling, carpooling, bicycling, or walking.
Commuting
program
Results 760 people carpool regularly to work, 640 ride the bus, 580 vanpool, 150 work a compressed schedule, and 150 telework |
*Some definitions: An “ETC” is the staff-level employee transportation coordinator responsible for the daily administration of the transportation program; “PM” is the transportation program manager; and “CEO” refers to the top management-level person at the worksite. “SOV” stands for single-occupant vehicle, and “CTR” for commute trip reduction.