Gas prices across the Washington region remain high and commuters are feeling the impact. Of the available ways to get to work, driving alone is the costliest, and with prices more than $4 per gallon, getting to work has become even more expensive.
Fuel costs are only part of the picture. According to AAA, drivers in the region already spend around $200 per month on gas alone—before adding other possible expenses such as tolls and parking. Together, these costs put real pressure on household budgets.
The good news is that Commuter Connections offers several free programs and services to help ease the burden on employees and reduce commuting costs.
Ridematching
One of the most effective ways to cut commuting costs is to share them. Commuter Connections provides free carpool ridematching that helps employees find coworkers or neighbors with similar schedules and routes to commute with. Carpools and vanpools have adapted to working around hybrid schedules so one does not even have to commute every day to be part of one. Plus, carpools/vanpools with the requisite number of passengers enjoy free use of Virginia Express Lanes and access to HOV lanes.
Guaranteed Ride Home
Employees who carpool, vanpool, slug, take public transit, or bike to work two or more days per week can join the free Guaranteed Ride Home program. This benefit provides up to six free rides per year in case of illness, emergencies, or unscheduled overtime—offering peace of mind for those who choose alternatives to commuting alone by car.
CommuterCash
The CommuterCash app by Commuter Connections offers savings to those who use sustainable travel options such as transit, carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling, and walking. CommuterCash is free and participants earn rewards points simply by logging their commutes. Rewards points can be redeemed for real cash (PayPal, Venmo), Visa gift cards, and credits toward Capital Bikeshare and Metro SmarTrip fare. Virginia residents can also get E-ZPass credits.
With high commuting costs, now is an ideal time for employers to promote alternatives to driving alone to work. These options not only save employees money but also support sustainability goals and show that employers care about their workforce’s well-being. Commuter Connections offers free, flexible solutions that provide meaningful savings for commuters across the region.
For more information, please visit commuterconnections.org or call 800 745-7433.
