That's up to the business. I'll say this for all the businesses to hear. I'm more likely to buy your product or use your service if your business is progressive in dealing with your employees, your community, and our world.

Some businesses offer metro fare cards to their employees, so why not? Walking or riding a bike to work are much more healthier alternatives than riding the metro, so their employees would be more fit. Think how that just might lower their health insurance rates.

Some people dont live close enough for that to even be an option. I think more buisnesses should offer vanpools for there employees.

What about pubic transportation as an option. Not all business give their employees subsidies for taking public transportation like the Federal Government.

Tele-Commuting is another good alternative.

If the businesses in turn get incentives from the government for doing the same then sure.

In today's world not many employees live close enough to their jobs to either walk or bike. Also if its such a great idea why don't the employees do it anyway? My guess is this is one of those incentives that would be only for staff... the big wigs/partners would still get free parking. I wonder how many cars would be gotten off the roads if the free parking perk was eliminated?

Walking to work or taking Metro is great. I'm not sure about employers needing to pay people to walk though. As a society, we should provide more walking/biking paths to safely separate pedestrians from motor vehicles.

You people make me laugh. You want to help the environment? Stop buying crap from China. Did you see the pollution over there? That from them making everything in the world and not caring about the environment. Buy from US companies, they must follow strict laws from the EPA. It will cost a few dollars more, but you will be helping the environment AND the economy at the same time. Think about it.

Eliminate commuting by buying the Virtual Bureaucrat System, devised by a brillaint FedGov engineer. It consists of a mannequinn that sits in your cubicle and software that simulates you working. It enters data (created by a random number generator) in spreadsheets, sends emails, writes reports, and searches for pornography on the Internet. DOD even has a version that invades non-existent Third World dictatorships. Currently about 7% of the federal workforce is using this, but it is expected to rise to 85% during the next 4 years, including President Obama himself.

One of the easiest way to fund a financial incentive is to stop giving free parking stickers worth $100-250 to employees.

They should offer incentives for anyone who doesn't drive to work. I can't possibly walk to work, but I can and do take public transit. Of course, I also don't own a car, so I have no choice.

And the infrastructure also needs to be in place to enable people to walk, bike, or take transit to work.

There already is a financial incentive to bike or walk to work, it's called not paying for gas or parking.

The government needs to raise the subsidy for public transportation. I understand people don't like the fact that government employees get a subsidy. However, it's an employer-provided benefit that was disclosed at the time of application. If you want the subsidy, apply for the job. But $115/month can't do too much these days, especially since January's fare raise. I ride from Springfield to Archives each day ($4.25/direction) and I have to take the bus to Springfield ($1.00). It costs me $9.85/day. I use my subsidy in 11 days.

So yes, I think employers should offer benefits for walking. They should offer financial benefits for telecommuting or doing 4 10-hour days. I save about $50/month by doing 4 10-hour days. In general, if it takes cars off the road, it should be pushed. I'd rather see people get money for doing something good for the environment instead of getting money for going to school and paying attention.

Yes employers should offer incentives to bike or walk, as well as supplement fares to encourage people to use public transit. By the same token, employers should STOP paying for parking for anyone who wants to drive, which enables continuation of this most wasteful option. It is irresponsible to encourage driving. Those who must drive can still do so but without supplement. This will help slow sprawl too, as more people wisely choose to live near public transit and/or in walkable communities. Finally - Employers should encourage and enable employees to TELECOMMUTE from home as much as possible. This will help make for a more peaceful and productive society. Too many are stuck on the idea of "needing to see the team," and that alone is a dumb reason to have to endure commuting which, in any form, is the most aggravating part of the work day. It is irresponsible for an employer to discourage telecommuting, yet many still do. For those who could telecommute, commuting is completely unproductive and wasteful as well. For many it's not the job that's a problem....it's commuting. Reducing or eliminating it will help improve health, morale, and overall quality of life...and so...the world!

Let me get this straight.... you save money on gas, parking, and maintenance on your vehicle, you get exercise, and you help the environment. 5 birds with one stone...isnt this incentive enough? You shouldnt have to be get paid to do the smart thing.

Let me get this straight.... you save money on gas, parking, and maintenance on your vehicle, you get exercise, and you help the environment. 5 birds with one stone...isnt this incentive enough? You shouldnt have to get paid to do the smart, common sense thing.

It would not be fair to the people who can not walk or ride to work.
Playing Favorites.

Gas is done! Lets move on...