Rail

Part I: Clean Commutes to DC-Based Cafés and Coffee Shops

As many of you are probably aware, Washington, DC loves a good café! Whether you're a DC commuter, resident, or visitor, nothing quite gets a day in the District started like a soothing cup of joe. In our opinion, coffee is part of the DC culture, so goDCgo is shining a spotlight on some of the city's very own local cafés and coffee shops. Since there is such a long list of popular spots, we're creating an alphabetical series, so there will be even more to come! For now, let's jump into the first few. Be on the lookout for your favorite, and keep following us for the best ways to get there using alternative transportation for a true DC experience!

Celebrating Theatre Week in DC

Are you a fan of the performing arts? Get ready to celebrate theatre season in the DC region! Starting September 22 to October 9, 2022, the District will launch Theatre Week to kick-off the popular production season by providing discount tickets to over 20 live shows and hosting a community kickoff party, along with dozens of free events to entertain, educate, and inspire. With plenty of participating theaters and productions, Theatre Week is an opportunity to sample diverse and vibrant work throughout the city.

To help you prepare for these plays, musicals, dramas, comedies, and other #DCTheatre productions, goDCgo has highlighted the top 10 venues in the city and the best ways to get there by foot, bike, bus, or Metro.

Getting to the Fall Festivities in DC

While Washington, DC has reopened for the summer, there's even more coming in the fall! We're getting back to our regularly scheduled programming and looking forward to the return of in-person music and food events, art shows, and neighborhood festivals throughout the city. There's a long list of upcoming events, so goDCgo has highlighted five popular fall festivals that you should attend and the best ways to get there without a car. Please be advised that face masks are required for ALL riders when using public transit while on board, within stations, and at bus stops. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must continue to wear a face mask indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. 

Whether you live in the District or visiting to experience the culture, goDCgo highly suggests leaving the car behind to avoid traffic and the search for parking. Get to the fall festivities using sustainable transportation instead! In addition to the public transit options below, you can easily get around by walking, bikeshare, or scooter.

Bring on the Four-Day Work Week

As many employers have transitioned back to the worksite, the four-day work week has become a popular topic. In fact, the number of ZipRecruiter jobs that mention four-day work weeks is up 67% this year. This comes as no surprise to employers watching the trends, as 66% of US workers report wanting to work fewer than 5 days a week, and 85% approve of moving to a four-day work week. In addition to the four-day work week’s favorability among employees, there are many pilots occurring globally in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and some in the United States that are showing the four-day work week is beneficial for companies and management; reporting increases in productivity, greater ability to attract and retain talent, and improvements in company loyalty. 

Quick Getaways to Enjoy Via Transit

Does getting away from the city sound enticing, but the thought of driving makes you wince? Did you know you can take a quick day or weekend trip by using local or regional transit? Whether you want to travel a few miles or plan for something a bit farther away, we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find several destinations highlighted that you can easily get to. It doesn’t matter if you are a solo traveler or a group, let us show you how easy it can be to hop on transit. All you need to do is pick a destination! 

#100MILEStone: Celebrate 100 Miles of Bike Lanes

As of May 2022, DC celebrates 100 miles of bike lanes. This milestone marks a 60% increase in bike lanes in the District and four times the number of protected lanes installed since 2015. The District takes pride in being a bike-friendly community and continues to improve and expand its bike infrastructure to make bicycling easier, safer, and equitable for everyone. In addition, DDOT is celebrating 20 years of service to residents, businesses, and visitors of the District of Columbia! 

Creating a Smooth Hybrid Transition

According to ADP Research Institute, 64% of workers would rather quit their jobs than return to an office full time. For anyone who’s been following the shift to remote work over the past two years, this should come as no surprise. Working from home has saved employees time and money, and maintained productivity. However, some employees still yearn for the social aspect of the office and worry about missing out on promotions and leadership roles without the office setting. This is where a hybrid schedule can give employees and managers the best of both worlds.

Thankfully, 35% of DC employers are listening to their employees and are working to create and implement hybrid work schedules as employees return to the office this summer. But transitioning to a hybrid schedule isn’t as easy as you may think. For a smooth transition, employers need to audit their policies and consider that after two years of working from home, pre-pandemic in-office policies can’t just be resurrected without evaluation. Companies need to assess their new hybrid work situation and address the challenges it brings regarding commuter benefits, regional emergency ride programs, and complying with local DC transportation ordinances. Creating a new hybrid policy from scratch may sound like a heavy lift, but if you follow our list of items to consider below, you’ll be off to a great start.

Be Clear About When and Why Employees Should Be in Office
About 38% of hybrid employees say their biggest challenge in the past few months was knowing when and why they should come into the office. Is this something you have outlined in your hybrid work policy? Possibly not, as only 28% of leaders report including it in their policies. Make sure you have clear and direct instructions on when employees should come into the office. Should they be in for important meetings? On a certain day? If they need to access certain equipment? Use examples and include the “why” behind these in-office requirements.

Make Sure You’re Still Compliant with DC Laws
DC has two local ordinances that apply to employers in the District: the DC Commuter Benefits Law and the DC Parking Cashout Law. If you meet the base qualifications of these laws, you must comply with them even if your employees are on a hybrid work schedule. Our employer team can help you navigate and comply with these laws.

Supplement Guaranteed Ride Home
The regional Guaranteed Ride Home program, run by Commuter Connections, requires employees to commute by transit, carpool, bike, walking, or scooter at least two times a week to qualify for the program. For many only going back to the office 1 day a week, they are unable to use this benefit. If you have employees who only work from the office one day a week, you can supplement the regional program by covering rides for unexpected overtime and emergencies. Talk to our employer team to learn how.

Remind Employees About Commuter Benefit Flexibility
Unlike other health care, commuter benefits aren’t restricted to open enrollment. Although most admin and HR departments are aware of this, your employees may not be. Make sure you remind your employees regularly that they can enroll, adjust their allocation, or pause their commuter benefits at any time.

Fully Subsidize Transit Costs to Encourage In-Office Work
If your office is operating on a hybrid schedule but management would like employees to come into the office more frequently, fully subsidizing transit costs can help you achieve this goal. By fully subsidizing transit costs, you remove one of the barriers of coming into the office. This can easily be done through WMATA’s SmartBenefits system, and the best part is that this type of transit subsidy will be refunded to you if not used.

Encourage a Variety of Sustainable Commuting Options
Fear of taking public transit due to COVID-19 has led to many workers choosing to drive to work when they would normally take transit pre-pandemic. It’s important to let your employees know they have options like carpool apps, biking, or walking. You can even encourage these behaviors through a bike subsidy/monthly bike benefit, walking benefit, or free parking for carpools. Our employer services team can help you set up benefits and incentives like these.

Welcome to National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month! Established in 1956, this month-long celebration honors biking as a form of transportation and recreation, and as essential to our well-being and everyday lives. National Bike month gives us a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more folks to give biking at try.

Navigating DC During Capital Pride

Capital Pride is back in person this year! The Nation’s annual Capital Pride celebration recognizes its LGBTQ+ communities in an effort to unify, educate, and preserve the history and rights of citizens. From June 10 through June 12, there will be a variety of festivities such as the Pride Parade, block parties, and concerts. Whether you are going solo or traveling with a group, we encourage you to travel sustainably. Check out the transportation options below that will get you to Capital Pride events sustainably.

Accessible Transportation for Seniors and People with Disabilities

goDCgo is here to support sustainable transportation needs for all DC commuters and residents, regardless of age, ability, or income. In addition to providing complimentary resources about the alternative travel options available in the District, we have information on affordable, easily-accessible programs that can break down transportation barriers and help those with special mobility needs get to/from their communities and around the city. From adaptive vehicles, to shared rides, to the Metro, there's no limit to where you can go.