There are so many positives to using transit—from stress reduction to saving money. And employers can play an important role in encouraging employees to give it a try.
Encouraging your employees to ditch driving alone—even just occasionally—can provide great benefits for them and the workplace by reducing stress and improving health.
Transit use doesn’t just have to be for commuting either. Taking transit to leisure activities—such as concerts, festivals, sporting events, and more—can be a good way to take a break from being behind the wheel, too.
Improved health
Multiple studies have shown that using public transit is associated with increased physical activity levels. Even just a little extra walking getting to and from a bus stop can help add up to the Centers for Disease Control’s recommended 150 minutes of activity per week. Moving keeps us healthy—lowering the risk of chronic conditions and even improving mental health. It’s also great for managing the costs of employer-sponsored health insurance.
No need to park
Taking transit allows metro Atlanta commuters to skip over the stress of one of the biggest challenges of driving—parking. Parking can be difficult to find and expensive, too. While costs vary, street parking in Atlanta costs about $2 an hour, while most corporate-owned parking garages start at around $100 a month. Less commuter stress leads to a happier and more productive workplace.
Save money
Car payments, insurance, and gas add up fast! In 2025, the average annual cost to drive a new car 15,000 miles a year is nearly $13,000 a year, according to AAA. Taking transit can save employees money. Even better, if your company participates in the Commuter Choice tax benefits program, let your staff know. If you don’t participate, learn about the benefits.
Community perks
Public transportation strengthens the health and vitality of our communities in a number of ways. Data from the CDC Foundation finds that 87% of trips on public transit have a direct, positive impact on local businesses. Transit also helps communities by reducing vehicle crashes, improving air quality, boosting our activity levels and connectedness.
Be part of a trend
This is a great time to encourage transit use. New data released by the American Public Transit Association show that public transit ridership in the United States has reached 85% of pre-pandemic levels. And it’s not just for commuting: trips to residential areas are on the rise, too.
Georgia Commute Options — a program made possible by the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Department of Transportation — works with employers at no cost to develop commuter programs that move the needle on air quality in the Atlanta region.