Over 39,000 people, more than half the global workforce of Microsoft, work at the Redmond, Washington corporate campus. The environmental impact of 39,000 commuters—from fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and physical logistics such as parking and traffic capacity for single occupancy vehicles is substantial.

Microsoft recognizes this impact and has put together a series of programs that engage and encourage employees and their families to consider alternative ways to commute. These alternatives include public transit, a new private bus system, walking, and cycling. Although many commuter programs apply to Microsoft headquarters, it is Microsoft policy to promote alternative ways to commute everywhere Microsoft does business.

Partner Programs, Promotions, and Policies

To help encourage employees to consider alternatives to single occupancy vehicle commuting, Microsoft sponsors several programs:

Private Bus System ("Connector"). To improve commuting opportunities and to reduce environmental impact of commuting, Microsoft has created and manages its own transportation bus system. For campus commuters who found public transportation wasn't satisfying their needs, Microsoft invested in the creation of one of the world's largest private bus systems. Employees can use the Connector, a free express bus service during morning and evening commute times between residential neighborhoods and the Redmond campus. With this system, Microsoft aims to reduce car traffic in the area by over 250,000 miles per week.

Commute Champion. In the Commute Champion contest, advocates and users of alternative transport are recognized by their peers. Nominees have the chance to win prizes and special recognition within Microsoft and with the general public through GRTMA publications.

R-TRIP. The Redmond Trip Reduction Incentive Program (R-TRIP), rewards residents for choosing alternatives to driving alone. R-TRIP also offers customized trip assistance, cash incentives, and other resources to facilitate a change in local travel and transportation.

Wheel Options. Microsoft participates in the statewide Wheel Options program and contest, which offers incentives such as vacations, gift cards, and travel promotions for commuters that use alternate transportation and provide commuting data. For example, Microsoft has a long history of promoting National Bike to Work Day, offering prizes, commute assistance, and on-site bike tune-ups.

Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program. Regardless of what commuting strategy people use, the GRH program provides up to six free cab rides a year for unexpected events that occur during the work day when an employee uses an alternative form of transportation to get to work. This program encourages people to use alternative commuting methods without worrying about an unexpected need to change their commute plans. This plan is available to contractors and vendors who work on the Redmond campus, as well as full time employees of Microsoft.

Public Mass Transit Support

Microsoft supports the use of public transportation whenever possible. Full-time employees, interns, vendors, and contractors are all eligible for a variety of subsidies toward a number of commuter passes and coupons, such as the PugetPass regional transit pass. These options cover many local transit systems with commuter rail services, bus lines, and ferries throughout the Seattle metropolitan and greater Puget Sound area. With Flexpasses, full time employees are able to use Metro/Sound transit, at any time, for free.

On-Campus Shuttles

On campus, Microsoft operates Shuttle Connect, which includes a fleet of 41 hybrid vehicles for transportation services between key buildings and areas. The introduction to the fleet of smaller hybrid sedans saves more than 20,000 gallons of fuel each year. Microsoft encourages employees to use the hybrid vehicle shuttles to travel between facilities for meetings, which reduces the environmental impact that personal vehicle travel incurs.

Lockers, Showers, Bike Racks, and Bike Maintenance

Cycling and walking are the cleanest choices for transportation, and Microsoft works to make these options safe and convenient for employees. The Redmond campus offers lockers, showers, and towel service for the convenience and comfort of employee bikers and walkers.

Bike racks have been installed across the Microsoft campus and the company funds a mobile, on-campus bicycle shop for repairs, tune ups, and purchases. The Microsoft Connector bus service features bike racks on many of its buses, as do many public buses in the area.

Microsoft's Alternative Commuting Policy: Results and Benefits

A survey of Connector riders in November 2007 showed that 61 percent of passengers previously used a single occupancy vehicle for their commuting needs, which suggests that the Connector program results in a reduction of about 800 vehicle trips and 32,200 miles of travel each day. With ten new routes to be added, the number of miles driven and trips taken will decrease again this year.

The presence of fewer vehicles on-site reduces the need for parking spaces and garages to accommodate them. This, over time, lowers the demand for land use and the need for additional power requirements for Microsoft facilities.

Finally, a lower vehicle population also contributes to manageable traffic patterns, which reduces the number of idling vehicles. Over time, this reduction might help lower area greenhouse gas emissions.

Microsoft's efforts to encourage employees to leave their vehicles at home through programs and services for alternative ways to commute have been, and promise to continue to be, very successful.