COMMUTING MADE EASIER

Explore ways to save money, reduce stress, and get around DC more efficiently.

Start Here: Find Your Best Commute

 

Not sure where to start? Whether you’re commuting daily or a few times a week, we’ll help you find the best option for your schedule, budget, and lifestyle. 

 

 

Save Money

Explore commuter benefits, incentives, and transportation programs that help reduce daily travel costs across DC, Virginia, and Maryland. Visit our helpful resources to find savings on transit, carpooling, biking, and more.

Save Time

Use real-time transit, biking, and trip-planning apps to choose the fastest routes and avoid delays. These tools help you plan smarter and get where you need to go with less guesswork.

Reduce Stress

Skipping traffic and choosing reliable transportation options that fit your routine. Simple planning tools and resources can make your daily travel more predictable and less stressful.

Transportation Options

  • Metrorail

    Metrorail is DC’s regional rapid transit system with six lines (orange, blue, green, red, silver, yellow) and 98 stations.

    Metrorail fares vary by time of day and the distance between stations. ($2.25 – $6.75). Pay using a SmarTrip card, mobile wallet, or credit/debit card. 

    1, 3, and 7 day passes are available for Metrorail & bus. 

    Plan your tip on Metrorail


  • Metrobus

    Metrobus is the region’s bus system spanning Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Metrobus fare is $2.25 per ride. Pay using a SmarTrip card, mobile wallet, exact change,  or credit/debit card. 

    1, 3, and 7 day passes are available for Metrobus & rail. 

    Transfer Discounts: 

    -Free, unlimited transfers on Metrobus within a 2-hour period.

    -$2.25 discount when transferring to Metrorail within a 2-hour period.

    -Metrobus fare is free when transferring from Metrorail within a 2-hour period. 

    Plan your tip on Metrobus


  • Capital Bikeshare

    Capital Bikeshare is the region’s bikeshare program. Check out a classic bike or e-bike and return it to any station. With over 700 stations in Virginia, Maryland, and DC.  it’s easy to get where you need to go. 

    Choose from a single ride, day pass, or 30 day membership. Pay in the app or at a station kiosk.

    A single ride starts at $1.See full pricing and more info.

    Capital Bikeshare Tips:

    -Whenever possible, ride in a bike lane.

    -Don’t ride bikes on the sidewalk in the Central Business District.

    -You must be 16 years or older to rent a bike.


  • Scooter & Dockless BIkes

    Scooters & dockless bikes are available in the District and a great way to travel short distances and connect to transit hubs. Pricing varies by provider.

    Download the Hopp app (Scooter)

    Download the Lime app (Scooter & Bikes)

    Download the Veo App (Bikes)

    Tips:

    -Whenever possible, ride in bike lanes.

    -Don’t ride on the sidewalk in the Central Business District.

    -You must be 18 years or older to rent a scooter or dockless bike.

    -You must lock your scooter or bike to an off street corral, bike rack, parking sign, or stop sign when ending your ride.


  • Commuter Rail

    The DC region has three commuter rail options, MARC, AMTRAK, and VRE. 

    MARC
    With three lines leaving from Union Station, MARC commuter rail connect DC and Baltimore. 

    AMTRAK
    National passenger rail that connects 46 states and 500 destination. 

    VRE
    Commuter rail offering two lines from Union Station that connect DC to outlying small cities of Northern Virginia.


  • Carpool & Vanpool

    Carpooling and vanpooling are easy ways for commuters to share rides to work with others who have similar routes and schedules. By ridesharing, commuters can save money on gas and vehicle expenses, reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and take advantage of HOV and Express Lane access for a faster commute.

    Commuter Connections offers free ridematching services to help commuters quickly connect with potential carpool or vanpool partners.

    Sign up now to get started carpooling or vanpooling.


COMMUTER BENEFITS

Many DC employers offer financial assistance, tools, and incentives to help you save money, time, and stress on your commute. In fact, those with 20 or more employees are required to do so thanks to the DC Commuter Benefits Law!

Commuter benefits can include pre-tax payment options, tax-free transit subsidies, corporate Capital Bikeshare memberships, employer-provided shuttles/vanpools, and more. Read on to learn about how you can leverage commuter benefits on your commute. 

Organizations with 20 or more employees in the District of Columbia are required to offer commuter benefits to their employees. Employers must comply with this law by providing one or more of the following: 

  1. Employee-paid, pre-tax benefit: Employer allows the employee to set aside up to $340 per month on a pre-tax basis to cover public transit or vanpool costs. 
  2. Employer-paid, direct benefit: Employer offers employees a tax-free subsidy of up to $340 per month for public transit or vanpools. 
  3. Employer-provided transportation: Employer provides employees with a free shuttle or vanpool service.

Compliance with this law is mandatory. If your employer has 20+ employees but does not offer one of the above, contact the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) Office of Wage-Hour at 202.671.1880 or [email protected]

Employee-paid, pre-tax benefits are the most common commuter benefit offering. If your employer offers a pre-tax benefit program, public transit or vanpool costs can be deducted directly from your paycheck, reducing taxes and increasing take-home pay. 

To start saving with pre-tax benefits: 

  1. Reach out to your Human Resources representative to find out if your workplace offers pre-tax commuter benefits. 
  2. Figure out how much you currently spend (or plan to spend) on transit each month; this will be the amount you set aside from your paycheck. You can set aside up to $340 per month. Refer to our Pre-Tax Employee Benefit document for a detailed breakdown.  
  3. If you plan to use pre-tax benefits for public transit, make sure you have a SmarTrip card. You’ll need to register this card online to receive transit benefits. 
  4. Connect with your HR representative to complete the enrollment paperwork. You’ll need to provide your SmarTrip card number and indicate how much money you’d like to set aside each month. 

Once you complete the enrollment process, the money you set aside from your paycheck will automatically show up on your SmarTrip card every month. 

Employers may offer a wide variety of benefits and incentives to make commuting easier, such as:

  • Tax-free subsidized transit benefits for use on Metro, buses, commuter rail, and vanpools. 
  • Bicycle commuter benefits for bike-related commute expenses 
  • Free or discounted Capital Bikeshare memberships for employees’ use on commute and personal trips 
  • Free or discounted car-sharing memberships for employees to access shared vehicles throughout the city 
  • Employer-provided transportation, such as shuttles or vanpools 

Employers may also offer innovative programs, including: 

  • Flex or Alternative Work Schedules: Work hours can be shifted so staff can beat rush hour, or compressed to a 4-day work week 
  • Ridematching Assistance: Employers pair commuters with similar routes to form a carpool or vanpool 
  • Parking Cashout: Employers give employees cash in lieu of a free parking spot 
  • Bike storage and lockers
  • Showers
  • Real-time transit displays

Employers may also offer on-site transportation amenities for their employees, including: 

  • Bike storage and lockers 
  • Showers for employees who bike or walk to work 
  • Real-time transit display screens 

Your commute savings will depend on the type of commuter benefits program offered by your employer. In general, employees who participate in a pre-tax commuter benefit can save up to 40% per month by spending non-taxed income on transit, rather than taxable income. See an example of how much you could save.  

Enrolling in a commuter benefits program is usually fast and easy. Consult your organization’s HR department to learn more about the commuter benefits programs your employer offers.  

If your workplace does not currently offer these benefits, use our template justification letter to communicate that setting up a commuter benefits program is mutually beneficial. You can also share goDCgo’s Commuter Benefits Toolkit with your employer and encourage them to reach out to us for complimentary assistance with set-up.

Take the Next Step in Your Commute

  • Buy a Capital Bikeshare Membership

    Purchase a Capital Bikeshare membership and have convenient access to classic bikes and ebikes for your commute.

  • Find a Carpool to Join

    Find an existing carpool near you or create a new one with Commuter Connections’ Ride-Matching database

  • Get a Guaranteed Ride Home

    Become a Commuter Connections user to access six FREE rides each year in the event of an emergency or unscheduled overtime.

  • Buy a SmarTrip® Card

    Purchase a WMATA SmarTrip® card to be used interchangeably throughout Washington, Baltimore and the surrounding region.

  • Download the Bike Map

    Explore all the bike-friendliness Washington, DC has to offer by downloading the DC Bike Map.

  • Learn About Transportation Equity

    Learn what transportation equity options are available in the District including discount and accessibility programs.

  • Try Traveling by Scooter

    Scooting is a convenient mobility option in the District. Follow these rules and safety tips to ensure a safe city for everyone.

  • Download CommuterCash

    Earn rewards for taking a sustainable commute with the CommuterCash app from Commuter Connections. 

  • Travel to the Airport

    Simplify your trip to the airport. Download the Airport Travel Guide to discover convenient sustainable travel options that fit your needs.

Our Favorite Commuting Resources

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TRAVEL TRAINING

 

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