By encouraging home and remote teleworking, we help our employees contribute to our business anywhere at any time, which reduces real estate costs for the company and decreases rush-hour commutes and the pollution associated with them.

Cisco also encourages the use of public transportation through commuter benefits programs, including:

  • Subsidized public transportation passes
  • Rides home for carpoolers in an emergency
  • Intracampus shuttle services

Last year, we placed sixth on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list of "Best Workplaces for Commuters" among Fortune 500 Companies. Rankings were based on the percentage of a company's workforce with access to a commuter program. According to the EPA, employees working for companies on the list last year prevented the emission of more than 1.45 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.

The number of business miles and car days have increased during the last five years as the business has grown. However, when normalized by sales revenue, the demand for business travel has remained constant. As audio and video conferencing becomes more common, we expect the demand for business travel to reduce over time.


Alternate Transportation Program

The Cisco Alternate Transportation program is designed around incentives and provides the following to San Jose employees:

  • Commuter vouchers: A $35 monthly voucher, good toward the purchase of public transit passes and vanpool expense, is given monthly to each requesting employee.
  • TEA-21 pretax payroll deductions: Employees can have an additional $70 per month deducted from their paycheck in pretax dollars. These deductions are reimbursed with commuter vouchers.
  • SmartCart intracampus shuttle: This service provides dispatched shuttle service throughout the site.
  • Annual EcoPass: Employees with a special sticker on their badges can ride for free any day on any Santa Clara County bus or LightRail train for one year.
  • Emergency Ride Home Program: Available to employees who commute to work using alternate transportation, such as public transit, carpool, vanpool, and bicycling at least two days per week, this program guarantees these commuters a ride home in a taxi when alternate transport breaks down.

FY2006 Commuter Voucher Participants

Cisco has an extensive Alternate Transportation Website with information about Cisco programs, online registration for EcoPasses and commuter vouchers, as well as links to all Bay Area public transit agencies and other transportation resources. Cisco takes advantage of the publicly funded 511.org program to assist employees in setting up or joining car and van pools and for planning their commute trips on public transit.


FY2006 Alternate Transportation Statistics:

  • Intracampus shuttle rides: 89,375
  • Transit shuttle rides: 18,604
  • $35 subsidy commuter vouchers distributed: 16,445
  • TEA program participants (annual): 1,462
  • EcoPass requests: 9,258

In India, more than 300 employees take advantage of our public transportation subsidy program instead of driving to the office.
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