Symetra's Commuter Program Saves Employees Money, Helps the Environment
Bellevue, Wash. — (May 21, 2008) — Commuter Challenge, a non-profit organization devoted to solving Puget Sound transportation issues, has once again recognized Symetra Financial as a workplace leader for commute reduction initiatives. The organization named Peg Randles of Symetra Financial as one of the winners of the 2008 Diamond Award for excellence in coordinating employee transportation programs. Randles, Symetra’s Workplace Services Manager, oversees the company’s extensive commuter program, which is designed to help employees save money, reduce stress and preserve the environment through transportation alternatives.
Symetra estimates its transit programs result in approximately $1.3 million in combined savings for it’s employees using commute alternatives each year.1 In addition, Symetra employees have reduced CO2 emissions by an estimated 4,488 pounds per year because of sharing rides to work or leaving cars behind.2
Symetra’s commute program has also won Commuter Challenge’s Diamond Award for organizational leadership in 2007, Pacesetters award in 2006, and has received the “Best Workplace for Commuters” designation since 2006.
Fifty-seven percent of Symetra’s Puget Sound area employees use alternative modes of transportation, which includes carpooling, taking mass transit, biking and walking to work. In comparison, 74 percent of commuters in the City of Bellevue, drive their own car alone between work and home, according to the data collection company Sperling’s Best Places.3
Highlights of Symetra’s commuter program include:
- Flex Pass program – Symetra offers employees access to the comprehensive regional Flex Pass transportation program that includes unlimited rides on area bus and rail systems.
- VanShare and VanPool contribution – Symetra contributes monthly toward VanShare and VanPool fares, and provides free parking in the garage for the vans.
- Free park day – Employees with registered commute alternatives can park free in the garage one day per month, and qualify for quarterly drawings for prizes or Commuter Bonus Plus Vouchers.
- Guaranteed ride home – Employees with registered commute alternatives can get home fast and free by taxi in the case of illness or emergency.
- Bicycle facilities – Secure bike cages and lockers are provided to employees that bicycle to work.
- Flexible schedules – Telecommuting, compressed work week, flexible work schedule programs are offered to employees.
- Transportation fairs – Symetra typically facilitates three or more transportation fairs per year to keep employees informed of the commute options available.
Symetra is a member of the Washington State Ridesharing Organization, an organization dedicated to encouraging policy makers, employers and commuters to support the use of alternative transportation modes.
About Symetra Financial
Symetra Financial Corporation provides retirement plans, employee benefits, life insurance and annuities through a national network of independent advisors and agents. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., Symetra’s insurance company subsidiaries have nearly $20 billion in assets.
4 For more information, visit
www.symetra.com.
1 Calculation uses the City of Bellevue’s “Commute Cost Calculator,” assuming a 10 mile round trip and 22 mpg. 509 employees potentially saving $2,644 each per year = 1.3 million total savings. May 2008.
2 The EPA estimates that CO2 emissions from a gallon of gasoline equals 19.4 pounds per gallon, February 2005
3 Sperling's Best Places, Bellevue, Washington, 2007
4 Total GAAP assets per financial statements as of December 31, 2007.
