The following is a release from Snohomish County Community Transit:

As traffic congestion and transportation costs continue to rise, local businesses are evaluating how their employees get to work. The quality of an employee’s commute can have a significant impact on job satisfaction, productivity and new employee recruitment.

To help Snohomish County businesses meet these challenges, Community Transit’s Choice Connections Business program is now offering a rebate to companies that sign up for the region’s ORCA Business Passport program. Employers can get rebates from $10-25 per transit pass, depending on where the business is located.

ORCA Business Passport is a comprehensive, cost-effective, annual transportation program for businesses with five or more employees. The program provides:

• Unlimited bus rides on six regional transit agencies.

• Unlimited rides on commuter rail, light rail, street cars and water taxis.

• 100 percent coverage on monthly vanpool fares.

• Guaranteed taxi ride home in case of emergency up to six times a year.

“An individual would pay $1,950 for the same level of transportation services that an employer can provide for less than $100 a year with ORCA Business Passport,” said Community Transit Choice Connections Business Coordinator Caryn Walline. “We’re hoping this rebate will provide an incentive for local businesses to offer their employees a transit option at a time when transit service is about to grow.”

With the recent passage of Proposition 1, Community Transit is making plans to expand its bus service throughout Snohomish County with more trips on existing routes and new service in areas not currently served.

Choice Connections provides free consulting services, resources and incentives to companies in Snohomish County to develop and implement employee transportation programs. To learn more about ORCA Business Passport and the Choice Connections Business program, visit www.communitytransit.org/ChoiceConnectionsBusiness or call (425) 438-6163.