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Subsidized Flexcar and FlexPass popular benefits among URS staff
URS Corporation is a global, full-service company providing expertise in planning and design, program and construction management, operations and maintenance support, and systems engineering and technical assistance to clients around the world. As the second largest transportation design firm in the United States, URS has a track record of projects that have enhanced mobility and supported growth and development across the country.

For doing its part here in the Puget Sound Region by providing an effective and comprehensive commute trip reduction program for its employees, URS has been awarded a 2004 Commuter Challenge Diamond Award for Organizational Leadership.

For more than 20 years, URS has provided transportation subsidies to its Seattle area employees. FlexPasses are provided for less than $20 per month, which can be used on King County Metro, Sound Transit or Community Transit buses or the Sounder train. A subsidy is also provided for employees who ride the ferry. On-site facilities such as covered bicycle parking and showers make biking or walking to work an attractive option for around 8% of the employees.

In 2003, URS applied for and was awarded an Employer Services Grant to provide on-site access to Flexcar vehicles and to cover the $25 membership fee for any employee wishing to join Flexcar. This added perk has been well received by employees and management alike. The on-site Flexcar allowed URS to eliminate six fleet vehicles, reducing the amount of money the company spends on vehicle maintenance, gas and parking.

To continue building momentum and interest in alternatives to driving alone, Kathy Barrows provides comprehensive information on URS’ transportation benefits to each new employee, including an application for Flexcar. She promotes the program throughout the year with posters and other communication tools, encourages participation in regional ridesharing campaigns, and holds transportation fairs.

ETC Kathy Barrows says that URS leadership has always been supportive of the CTR program, and it has become just another part of the company’s culture. "At least half of the senior management team either carpool, walk or use transit to commute to work," Barrows says. "One of the senior managers is even the most frequent user of Flexcar."

URS’ commute trip reduction program has been incredibly successful in encouraging employees to leave their cars at home or rideshare to work. Sixty-two percent of employees ride the bus and another 20% either carpool, ride the Sounder train, bicycle or walk to work. According to Barrows, "The employees truly appreciate the transportation benefits, and they don’t take it for granted." In fact, whenever URS has merged with other companies, the transportation subsidies have been the most sought after benefit by the employees of the other firms.

Commute Program
Transit, ferry, Sounder train and vanpool subsidy
Guaranteed Ride Home
Reserved priority HOV parking
Covered bicycle parking
Shower facilities
Telework, flextime and compressed workweeks
Fleet vehicles for work-related trips
On-site Flexcar

*Some definitions: An "ETC" is the staff-level employee transportation coordinator responsible for the daily administration of the transportation program. "SOV" stands for single-occupant vehicle, and "CTR" for commute trip reduction.

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