Happy New Year BWC Network!

Welcome to the first edition of the BWC Network News in 2005. We are excited to bring you fresh, innovative strategies this year that will help you bolster the demand for commuter benefits in your local areas.

In 2005, we will be offering a number of ways for you to get involved in the BWC Network and, in turn, enhance your local program. Throughout the year, each issue of the Network News will feature a different BWC topic and will be followed by a more in-depth Strategy Session conference call. We are also forming informal BWC Workgroups to explore ways to partner with you on these important topics. We invite you to participate!

Make BWC Work for You!

Did you know that running a full-blown Best Workplaces for Commuters campaign is just one opportunity to get employers excited about commuter benefits? During the course of the year, we’ll introduce a number of other proven strategies, including:

Innovations in Telework

We'll showcase telework as an approach that may help you expand your employer base. Join us to discuss the ins and outs of this innovative commuter benefit, with a special focus on featured employer examples and the newest enabling technologies. Stay tuned for further information on this upcoming Strategy Session.

Unleashing the Power of the BWC Brand

Are you interested in using the BWC “brand” as a way to bring a fresh approach to your local commuting program? Learn what the BWC brand “stands for” and why it is valued by a growing number of employers nationwide. Find out ways to use the BWC brand and logo to enhance your local commuter program.

Engaging Fortune 500 Companies

Join EPA in making this year’s announcement of the list of Best Workplaces for Commuters from the Fortune 500 Companies an even greater success than last year! You can begin to plan for this opportunity now!

BWC Districts

Do you know of any business parks, downtown districts, developers, or property managers who provide commuter benefits to employers in your area? If so, they may qualify as Best Workplaces for Commuters Districts and can earn national recognition for their leadership!

Have a Voice!

Let us know if any of these opportunities appeal to you. If you are interested in being a part of one or more of the above four Workgroups, let us know by emailing us at bwc@epa.gov. We will also be featuring other opportunities throughout the year.

A typical worker who switches from driving alone to using commuter benefits for mass transit can save more than $1,000 a year in transportation costs, such as gas and wear and tear, and can avoid driving 5,000 miles a year.