Commuters in the Puget Sound region have many options when it comes to leaving their cars at home. Why drive when there are faster and less expensive ways to get to work? But don’t just take our word for it. Check out the Commute Cost Calculator to determine what your commute actually costs and how much you could save by using one of six other commute modes.

Vanpool
Vanpools are groups of five or more people who share a similar commute trip from home to work. The group pays a monthly fare that covers the cost of the van, gas, insurance and maintenance. The group decides on the meeting time, location and route it will take and there is no limit on the round trip miles traveled each day as it is calculated into the monthly fare. The vehicle, insurance and maintenance are all provided, so the Vanpool group can enjoy worry-free commuting.

VanShare
VanShare provides vans at either end of the commute, to get bus or rail users from their home to a transfer point, or from the transfer point to their workplace. In order to use VanShare from the transfer point to your workplace, you must arrive at the transfer point via public HOV transit, not your personal vehicle. Each VanShare van can travel up to 20 round trip miles a day, with overnight and weekend parking available at Park and Ride lots, ferry terminals, and other transit centers. The monthly fare and fuel costs are split by the VanShare group, which can consist of up to 15 people, making this a very affordable option.

Carpool
Carpooling with a spouse, friend or coworker is a great alternative to driving alone. Not only do you have someone to chat with during the drive, you can save money by sharing the cost of gas and save time by using local HOV lanes. Don’t know anyone you can carpool with? No problem. RideshareOnline.com can help you find a carpool partner.

Transit - Bus
Why drive when you can sit back and ride? Timely, comfortable and affordable, riding the bus is a great way to commute in the Puget Sound region. With six transit providers around the region – King County Metro Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit – many commuters find riding the bus saves them time and money on their daily commute. And with a PugetPass, commuter traveling between neighboring counties can transfer from one provider to another with ease.

Transit – Commuter Train and Light Rail
Sound Transit’s Sounder commuter trains connect Seattle to Everett in the north and Tacoma in the south every weekday. While on board, Sounder passengers have access to worktables, surge-protected outlets for laptop computers, overhead storage, bicycle storage and cup holders. Light rail will begin operating in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel in 2009 with the initial segment running from Westlake Station in downtown Seattle through part of the Duwamish industrial area, Beacon Hill and the Rainier Valley to Tukwila’s South 154th Street and International Boulevard, just north of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Telework
Also referred to as "telecommuting," telework involves working from a site other than the main business location, generally in the home or a telework center near the home. Telework is generally used one or two days per week but can be instituted on a full-time basis. Click here for more information on telework.

Compressed Workweeks
Compressed workweeks are an option where employees work a full-time schedule in fewer days. Employees who compress their workweeks are generally able to avoid the peak commute time each day by arriving early and/or staying late. Employers benefit from extended hours of customer service and production. Click here for more information on compressed workweeks.

Flextime
Short for "flexible work hours," flextime refers to a work schedule that permits employees to choose their starting and stopping times within limits set by management. Like compressed workweeks, commuters who use flextime generally avoid peak commute times and have the flexibility they need to meet personal and family obligations--so employers generally see a reduction in tardiness and absenteeism. Click here for more information on flextime.

Bicycling
Instead of sitting in a car or bus for 30 minutes each morning, consider hopping on a bicycle and peddling to work. Bicycling and other non-motorized commute modes such as walking or jogging not only get you out of traffic, they also help you improve your health. For local clubs, regional maps, information on buddy programs and rider events check out these Commuter Tools.

Photo Courtesy of King County Metro Transit