GE Capital Commute Profile

Solid program produces great results
GE Capital Business Asset Funding was recognized with a 1995 Diamond Award for its exemplary program. Once again this company, which provides financing for leases, loans and equipment purchases, is being recognized with a Diamond Award, this time for outstanding progress in reducing the number of employees who commute via a single occupant vehicle.

Representing GE Capital Business Asset Funding (From left to right): Shannon Leach, Penni Belcher.

GE Capital is located in downtown Bellevue, where parking is expensive and becoming scarce. Its offices are across the street from the Bellevue Transit Center, which is served by 24 bus routes. The company offers a generous commute program. All employees receive a free FlexPass, and vanpools also are subsidized at 100%. Parking is free for vanpools, and carpools are reimbursed for 80% of the cost of parking. Ferry riders receive an 80% subsidy toward the cost of ferry tickets. All employees who commute to work other than by a single occupant vehicle are guaranteed a free ride home in case of illness or an emergency.

The guaranteed ride home program has helped persuade many employees to take the bus to work,” explains Shannon Leach, program manager. “Several of our new hires were on the fence about giving up their cars until I explained that part of the program. It takes the worry out of being at work without a car.”

Ridesharing promotion pays off
Even with the transit center right across the street, the most successful part of GE's commute reduction program has been the increase in carpools and vanpools over the past two years. This is the result of a well established internal ridematch system and an added emphasis by Leach and the human resources department to encourage ridesharing.

Flyers and email are used to remind employees to contact human resources if they are interested in joining or forming a carpool or vanpool. When an employee requests a ridematch, human resources performs a search of zip codes and contacts the possible matches to see if they are interested. During a new employee's orientation, Leach describes the benefits of the company's commute program. She also checks the new employee's zip code against her list of vanpools and carpools. “I emphasize the money they will save if they share the ride,” says Leach. “I also tell them how we've found sharing the ride is a great way to get to know your fellow employees.”

GE Capital uses its CTR benefits as an effective employee recruiting tool. Transportation benefits are mentioned in the company's recruitment advertising, and the program is discussed during interviews. “We support our transportation benefits because, not only does our program help employee satisfaction, it also increases productivity,” says Bruce Nelson, general manager. “It's a good business decision.”

All of the commitment and hard work have paid off. GE Capital reduced its drive alone rate from 42% in 1997 to 28% in 1999!

*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.