TransLink has reached a milestone with its Transit-Friendly Employer, which features over 50 employers around Metro Vancouver offering employees discounts.
Across those 50 businesses, over 15,000 employees are receiving subsidized Compass passes.
“Through the program, employers can cover half the cost of a monthly or Stored Value Compass Pass, offering their employees a smarter, greener, and more affordable way to get to work,” TransLink said in a release.
“Certified employers can display the exclusive Transit-Friendly Employer stamp on their websites and job postings to attract talent and highlight their commitment to a cleaner environment.”
TransLink says the employer program is the first of its kind in Canada and was launched in 2022.
Some of the more notable employers offering the program include the YVR Vancouver Airport Authority, Lush Handmade Cosmetics, Vancouver Coastal Health, Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Rivian Automotive, Herschel Supply Co., Melanie Auld Jewelry, and Grouse Mountain.
Other employers include BC Housing, BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, the Fraser Health Authority, Legal Aid BC, Organika Health Products, PHSA, Providence Health Care, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, and Westin Bayshore.
TransLink states that employers participating in the program are contributing to building a more sustainable Metro Vancouver, noting that transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in the region.
“Riding a conventional bus reduces emissions by 60 per cent compared to a gas-powered car,” TransLink notes.
“Trips on SkyTrain or electric trolley buses reduce emissions by more than 99 per cent.”
Employees who benefit from the program will have additional value added to it, as TransLink is currently undergoing its most significant bus service expansion since 2018.
“This fall, TransLink has increased service on 53 routes, including 26 routes serving post-secondary institutions across the region.”
If you’re looking for a new employer and are an avid transit user, check out the full list of employers that are offering the Transit-Friendly Employer program.