Three Montgomery County Employers Supported by County’s Commuter Services Section Recognized by MWCOG for Offering Outstanding Employee Commuting Benefits

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 2, 2020

Three Montgomery County employers have been recognized for being among the Washington Region’s top employers in regard to offering commuting benefits to employees. All three have been supported by the Commuter Services Section of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT).

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Commuter Connections’ program honored the three employers for “their exceptional commitment to offering and promoting innovative and sustainable commute alternative programs.” MWCOG’s 23rd annual Employer Recognition Awards honored Montgomery County businesses Abt Associates of Rockville, ANA Enterprise of Silver Spring and United Therapeutics Corporation of Silver Spring for their programs to assist employees with their commuting.

The three award-winning County businesses recognized were:

1. More than half (57 percent) of the 400 Abt employees in the Washington Region participate in the various commuter programs the company offers. A transit benefit equaling 75 percent of employees’ monthly costs, up to $100, is provided. This saves employees an average of $900 per year.
2. ANA has 262 employees in the Washington region, and even before the changes many employers made due to the COVID-19 health crisis, 232 ANA employees (88.5 percent) teleworked at least once a week. ANA Enterprise equips employees with laptops and offers the opportunity to use flextime schedules to commute before and after the organization’s standard business hours.
3. employs 236 people in the Washington region. Its SmartBenefits program offers up to $130 toward the price of monthly commuting. Employees commute to and from the office by transit, carpool, bike, walking and even Segway. Bike racks, showers, dressing rooms and lockers are provided. Employees driving electric vehicles are given free access to electric charging stations.

This year’s award-winning companies’ programs are highlighted in videos produced for the occasion and can be viewed at bit.ly/2YwJLjk.

“MCDOT is proud that out of the entire Metropolitan Washington Region, all three of the employers honored this year are located in Montgomery County and are active participants in the programs and services provided in our Transportation Management Districts,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin.

MCDOT’s Commuter Services Section works with employers to initiate, market and implement programs and services to reduce single occupant vehicle commuting, which in turn eases congestion and reduces environmental impacts from driving.

These types of employer-based commuter-assistance programs help reduce traffic congestion, auto emissions and improve the air quality in the region. Together, the awardees reduced an estimated total of more than 2.1 million vehicle miles traveled and collectively saved more than 113,000 gallons of gasoline last year.

“The employers honored during this year’s event have implemented innovative and successful commuter benefits programs,” said Kelly Russell, chair of MWCOG’s National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board. “We hope that through their example, other organizations will embrace similar initiatives, creating more environmentally conscientious employers and those that show concern for work-life balance. These types of organizations provide betterment for their employees, the local community and the region, especially during this trying time in the face of COVID-19.”

For ongoing updates, follow @MCDOTNow and @mococommuter on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, subscribe to MCDOT news releases or subscribe to MCDOT’s Go Montgomery! biweekly newsletter.

For transportation updates related to COVID-19 health crisis, visit MCDOT’s transportation resource page for COVID-19.

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Release ID: 20-137
Media Contact: Hannah Henn 240-777-8389