King County touts bicycle commuting as a great way to reduce stress, increase health, and help the environment. It has been forced by economic conditions, however, to suspend an incentive program for its own bike commuting workers downtown.
County employees who work outside of downtown Seattle can continue to earn the $20 Commuter Bonus Plus voucher for any month in which they bike bike, carpool or walk to work more than half their work days or half of their commute miles.
The county announced at its employee transportation website that the King County Council has postponed extending those $20 vouchers to employees who walk or ride their bikes to work in downtown Seattle.
Budget cutting
The Puget Sound Business Journal reported last fall that county council members might eliminate the $20 subsidy program altogether. About 155 county employees were using the program at the time, costing the county $37,000.
The county is facing a $93 million deficit.
Vouchers
The vouchers can be used at AAA/Washington, Brown Bear Car Wash, Union 76 gas stations, REI, the YMCA, or Flexcar.
The county government's downtown employees still have access to the Flexcar/ID pass, the county said.
“[It] allows you access to all Metro Transit, Pierce Transit, Community Transit, and Sound Transit bus service as well as the Sounder Train. You are also eligible to receive $45/month toward your vanpool fare.”
More information about bike commuting for county employees is available here.
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