On June 30, Commuter Connections recognized organizations leading the way in sustainable transportation and workplace mobility during its 29th Annual Employer Awards banquet. The event honors employers and organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to commuter benefits, telework policies, and transportation demand management programs that make it easier for employees to choose sustainable ways to travel.
The awards are presented in three categories: the Employer Awards, which recognizes three employers with exceptional commuter benefits programs; the Employer Services Outreach team Award, which honors one team that successfully engage employers and expand commuter benefit and telework offerings; and the Employer Services Organization Award, which recognizes an organization that have developed or enhanced programs that help employers implement commuter benefits.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) received an Employer Award for its strong commitment to sustainable commuting. As a regional transportation organization responsible for planning, prioritizing, and funding multimodal transportation projects across Northern Virginia, NVTA leads by example through its employee programs.
The organization subsidizes approximately 60% of employees’ monthly transit expenses and provides free Capital Bikeshare Corporate Memberships. In 2025, these efforts helped reduce more than 120,000 single-occupancy vehicle miles and saved an estimated 5,727 gallons of fuel.
Suburban Hospital, a community-based nonprofit hospital that has served Montgomery County since 1942, was recognized for its commuter-friendly workplace policies.
The hospital offers employees a variety of transportation benefits, including monthly transportation subsidies, a free shuttle service between the hospital and the Bethesda Metro Station, and incentives for employees who bike, walk or carpool to work. These programs help reduce commuting barriers while supporting employee wellness and sustainability goals.
Through its partnership with Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP), The RAND Corporation received recognition for its comprehensive and flexible approach to workplace mobility. Based in Arlington, RAND is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that develops evidence-based solutions to complex policy challenges in areas such as healthcare, national security, education, and international affairs.
RAND’s highly flexible hybrid work model allows employees to work remotely as often as needed, with approximately 90% of Arlington-based staff teleworking two to three days per week. The organization also provides monthly transit subsidies for employees commuting to their Pentagon City office. In 2025, RAND’s commuting and teleworking programs helped eliminate approximately 1.18 million single occupancy vehicle miles and saved nearly 54,000 gallons of fuel.
OmniRide received the Employer Services Outreach Team Award for its exceptional employer engagement efforts throughout 2025.
As a regional transportation provider serving communities across Northern Virginia and the greater DC region, OmniRide conducted 62 employer and community outreach events during the year. The organization also expanded participation in the Best Workplaces for Commuters program from two to nine designated employers and launched a travel-training initiative with a local nonprofit that supports workforce development for adult immigrants. These efforts helped connect more employees and employers with sustainable transportation options.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) was honored with the Employer Services Organization Award for its ongoing commitment to sustainable commuting across one of the region’s largest employment centers.
MWAA operates both Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport, which together host more than 1,000 tenant businesses and employ over 54,000 workers. Through a combination of commuter outreach programs, transportation amenities and employer engagement initiatives, MWAA has helped create greater access to sustainable transportation options for airport employees throughout the region.
Organizations of all sizes can take meaningful steps toward becoming leaders in sustainable commuting, and Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) can help.
ATP’s Business Development Managers work directly with employers to develop commuter benefit programs that reduce parking demand, support employee recruitment and retention, and encourage sustainable travel behaviors. Whether you’re interested in launching a transit benefit, offering Capital Bikeshare Corporate Memberships, promoting telework, or educating employees about their commuting options, ATP can provide tailored support every step of the way.
ATP can also help your organization earn recognition for its efforts through programs such as the Commuter Connections Employer Awards, Best Workplace for Commuters, Bike Friendly Business, and ATP’s own Champions program.
By investing in commuter benefits today, your organization can improve the employee experience, strengthen sustainability goals, and join the growing list of employers being recognized for their transportation leadership across the region.
Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/Kittner.com for Arlington Transportation Partners