TCH Cited as "Commuter Choice Employer"

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation have recognized Texas Children’s Hospital as a Commuter Choice Employer for its employee commuter benefits that also are environmentally friendly.

In addition, the hospital received an award from the Houston-Galveston Area Council, a voluntary association of local governments and elected officials in the 13-county Gulf Coast Planning Region.

When Texas Children’s volunteered to participate in the Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative in August, it was one of the few hospitals in the country offering commuter benefits. As a Commuter Choice Employer, Texas Children’s has agreed to uphold several national standards, such as exceeding the minimum level of 14 percent employee participation, designating a central contact person to assist employees, providing transit or van-pool benefits and reporting program progress and success to the EPA.

About 17 percent of Texas Children’s employees use mass transportation. Other employees telecommute or work flexible schedules, which helps keep commuters off the road at peak times.

"Texas Children’s revised its benefits package in early March and made significant changes based on employee feedback," said Mark A Wallace, Texas Children’s president and chief executive officer. "We now provide free parking, free bus passes and van-pool vouchers, and offer a $20 waiver to those employees who don’t drive or use mass transportation. By offering these benefits, Texas Children’s also is making a substantial contribution to reduce traffic, energy demands and air pollution."

"Texas Children’s is among the first Commuter Choice Employers in Texas to join a growing list of major employers throughout the country, such as Aetna US Healthcare, Chevron and the Walt Disney Co.," said Stephan Sylvan, manager of the Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative with the Washington, D.C.-based EPA.

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/12_15_01/page_23.html