Dive Brief:
- Commuters who use Lyft Line can now get pre-tax reductions on their fares in all 18 cities where the transportation service operates, Lyft announced. Previously, the the ride-hailing company only offered the benefit to commuters in Miami, New York, Seattle and Boston.
- Employees who use Ameriflex, Benefit Resource, EBPA, Commuter Benefit Solutions, TransitChek, WageWorks, Navia and Zenefits are eligible for the reduced-fare benefit.
- Lyft and rival Uber are among a growing number of private transportation firms that are positioned to serve riders from timeworn, big-city public transit systems.
Dive Insight:
Commuter benefits have evolved with programs like Lyft Line and UberPool. Employers have already identified the commute as a potentially big source of stress, and have begun to implement ways to ease issues for workers. Long, tiring commutes, traffic jams and accidents stress out employees before they even arrive on the job.
Among the various ways to attract and retain workers is the inclusion of commuter-focused benefits with employers' offerings. The 200 companies on Best Workplaces for Commuters list offer discounted transit passes and other incentives, including remote work opportunities, bicycle racks for cyclists and emergency rides home. Remote work, naturally, allows a worker to avoid the commute altogether on certain days, and employers are finding such arrangements a useful way to introduce flexible work options.