We’ve got a certification program for employers looking to encourage their employees to take transit, and it’s just hit a MAJOR milestone!

This year, the Transit-Friendly Employer program, the first of its kind in Canada, has hit over 50 organizations benefiting from the program. This means that nearly 15,000 employees are getting to work more affordably and sustainably, with subsidized transit passes on their Compass Card. Hitting this milestone means that more employers across Metro Vancouver are stepping up to support sustainable commuting by offering transit benefits to their staff.

How does the program work?

Launched in 2022, the Transit-Friendly Employer program allows employers to provide at least a 50 per cent subsidy towards the cost of a Monthly Pass or Stored Value on a Compass Card. Providing this subsidy not only gives employees a smarter, greener, and more cost-effective way to commute, but empowers them to use transit on their days off as well.

Certified employers also receive an exclusive Transit-Friendly Employer stamp to showcase on their websites and job postings, that can serve as an attractive signal to environmentally conscious job seekers. It’s a great “stamp of approval” to show that transit is important to your organization, your employees and your environment.

How can my organization sign up?

To qualify, large employers (200+ staff) must have at least 10 per cent employee participation, while small employers (fewer than 200 staff) need 25 per cent participation. Among the 54 participating organizations, 21 are large employers and 33 are small. Notable participants include:

• Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR)
• Lush Handmade Cosmetics
• Vancouver Coastal Health
• Fairmont Vancouver Airport
• Rivian Automotive
• Herschel Supply Co. Canada
• Melanie Auld Jewlery
• Grouse Mountain

Check out the full list of participating organizations.

Why become a Transit-Friendly Employer?

Beyond the financial benefits, these employers are contributing to a more sustainable region. Transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in Metro Vancouver. Switching even a portion of trips from car to transit can have a measurable impact:

• Riding a conventional bus reduces emissions by 60 per cent compared to a gas-powered car.

• Trips on SkyTrain or electric trolley buses reduce emissions by over 99 per cent.

And with TransLink’s largest bus service expansion since 2018 now underway, it’s easier than ever to choose transit. This fall, service has increased on 53 routes, including 26 that serve post-secondary institutions across the region.

As transit is so often used by daily commuters, it’s a fantastic perk to offer employees that puts cash back into their pockets for anything else.

Interested in joining and becoming certified? Learn more and sign up to become a Transit-Friendly Employer at translink.ca/transitfriendly.