Metro Atlanta’s traffic isn’t letting up—and neither is the impact it has on your workforce. The average driver lost 87 hours last year sitting in congestion, ranking the ninth worst in the nation. For employees, these long drives add up to more than frustration. They’re a drain on morale, productivity and job satisfaction. In fact, 6 in 10 commuters say the daily drive to work is a major barrier to work.
So how can employers help? By offering a simple, meaningful perk that eases the pain of the commute and strengthens your organization in the process: Vanpooling.
A vanpool is a small group of commuters who share the ride to work in a van or SUV. Riders set their own meeting point, route, stops and schedule.
Georgia Commute Options (GCO) and Commute with Enterprise make it easy for companies to launch a flexible, cost-saving vanpool program that employees will actually look forward to using.
Why It’s Great for Business
- It drives real savings
Help employees save thousands a year on their commute! And take advantage of pretax deductions to save you and your employees on income and payroll taxes.
- It boosts morale and productivity
Vanpooling provides employees with a dependable, flexible commute, helping them arrive on-time, less stressed, more focused and ready for the day. Happier employees are proven to be more productive, which ultimately benefits your bottom line and strengthens your competitive edge.
- It helps attract and retain talent!
In today’s job market, benefits that improve quality of life stand out. Vanpooling offers a tangible perk employees use every day. Plus, with access to Express Lanes, commutes are generally faster than driving alone. Offering perks like a vanpooling program can make your company a talent magnet.
How it works
- Make a plan
Partner with GCO and Commute with Enterprise to establish goals and a strategy for your vanpool program.
- Connect people
We work with you to invite riders and drivers, and set routes and schedules for a smooth launch.
- Keep moving
Enterprise manages insurance, coordinates maintenance and provides 24/7 roadside assistance—so you don’t have to.
- Track progress
GCO helps you measure participation, savings and business impacts, along with environmental impact to help showcase your success.
Perimeter Leads the Way with Vanpool
To help bring down costs for commuters and make it a little easier on employees, especially those working hybrid schedules, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (Perimeter CIDs) launched Rapid Ride, a new vanpool program for workers in the Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs areas.
Rapid Ride offers a new, cost-effective option for how metro Atlanta workers can access one of the Southeast’s most concentrated employment hubs. Perimeter is a mixed-use district that includes about 10,000 residents and is home to major employers like UPS, Cox Enterprises, State Farm and IHG.
With Rapid Ride, groups of 5-8 riders share a van for a flat $75 monthly fee, covering insurance, fuel, maintenance and roadside assistance. Compared to the average monthly cost of owning a car ($1,025), the savings are clear—and the benefits ripple out through reduced congestion and emissions. GCO can help you set up your vanpool program and save money, including on FICA through the federal IRS Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit.
Keep Commuters Engaged
Every vanpool rider also qualifies for GCO’s Guaranteed Ride Home Program, ensuring that no one is ever stranded if they need to leave early or stay late.
And with the MyGCO app, employees can explore all their sustainable commute options—vanpool, carpool, transit, biking, walking, or telework—and earn rewards for making smarter choices.
Through MyGCO’s custom employer networks, companies can build a stronger culture of engagement and sustainability—while helping their workforce move better, together.
Ready to Roll?
Partner with GCO and Commute with Enterprise to make your workplace part of a more connected, productive, and commuter-friendly Metro Atlanta. GCO offers a rebate of up to $160 per month (through March 31, 2026) for each rider who logs at least three vanpool trips that month through MyGCO.com.
Georgia Commute Options—a program made possible by the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Department of Transportation—works with businesses, property managers, CIDs and local transportation management associations to develop and implement commute programs and services that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality across the region.