Avoiding high gas prices and enjoying a better commute

MGHers have many choices to avoid giving in to high gas prices and frustrating commutes. As a charter member of A Better City Transportation Management Association (ABC TMA), the MGH offers staff and employees incentives to participate in several commuting options. The following free programs are available to MGHers.

• Guaranteed Ride Home: Employees who take the bus, subway, commuter rail, carpool, vanpool, bike or walk to work can receive a free ride home in the event of an emergency or unscheduled overtime.

• Ridematching: MGHers can use the ABC TMA online ridematching system to find out if others who live and work nearby are interested in sharing a ride in a carpool or vanpool.

• Cycling and Walking Rewards: The “Workout to Work” program provides rewards to employees who bike or walk to work. Each month when an employee submits his or her miles, biked or walked, to ABC TMA, he or she will be rewarded with free safety equipment and chances to win other prizes.

• Vanpool Subsidy: MGH staff members can earn up to $220 over six months from the ABC TMA for joining a vanpool. A vanpool of 9 to 15 riders is one of the most affordable ways to commute to work from New Hampshire, Central/Western Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

• Carpool Subsidy: Employees can receive up to $210 over six months when they join an existing carpool or form a new carpool. By covering up to $35 in fuel for six months, this program helps reduce costs of commuting to work.

• Express Yourself: MGHers who drive alone can receive up to $100 per month for three months to purchase an MBTA Express Bus, Private Bus or MBTA Commuter Boat pass. This can cut the monthly cost of commuting by nearly 50 percent.

ABC TMA is an independent, nonprofit organization comprising employers, retailers, business owners, public sector representatives and others working to address employee transportation issues and improve air quality and traffic in the downtown and Back Bay areas of Boston. To register for these programs, access www.abctma.com. For more information, contact MGH Commuter Services at (617) 724-6588.

An MGHer commutes by bike.