Ray S.

Where do you work and what is your role in the company?

I work for the City of DuPont as the Building Official.

How far is your commute? How long does it take you each way? If you are teleworking, how long would your commute have been if you were commuting to the office?

The commute is 56 miles, and it takes about an hour each way.  

What is your commute mode and what made you decide to commute this way?

I am currently the driver in a vanpool. Vanpooling works best for me because I live close to others that I work with and we can all ride together.

What do you enjoy about your commute (or teleworking)?

Being in a vanpool gives me a great opportunity to relax and wind down after work, when I am not the driver. 

Do you have any interesting stories from your commute?

We are very early in the amount of time we have been vanpooling, so I feel happy to say we haven't had anything interesting other than lots of good laughs. 

Do you think you save money by commuting this way?

There absolutely has been a money savings for me. I can conservatively say that I save about $300 a month.

How does your company help accommodate your commute option? (ex: bike racks, free bus pass, vanpool subsidy, flexible work hours, telework incentives, etc.)

The city has been very generous in allowing us to adjust schedules and accommodate each other's busy home life. The support we have from the city, keeps this vanpool successful. 

Is there anything your company could do better to accommodate your commute option?

I feel the city has been very accommodating in helping out the vanpool. I can't think of anything currently they could do differently.

What would you say to your fellow employees to inspire them to try using a commute option other than driving alone in their car?

Other than the amazing financial benefit, I would say its a great time to get to know people you wouldn't normally associate with. One thing I learned is, you will for sure get to know the people you ride with every morning :).