News+

Harvard recognized for excellence in sustainable transportation

2 min read

Harvard’s sustainable transportation program, specifically its transit subsidy for employees, was recently recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation with an Excellence in Commuter Options (ECO) award.

The ECO awards recognize businesses across the state who promote active, healthy, and sustainable commuting options with innovative programs and resources. More than 7,200 employees take advantage of a 50 percent subsidy for MBTA monthly passes, and 42 percent of employees commuting to the Cambridge/Allston campus travel via public transit.

“The Massachusetts employers recognized today are helping the Commonwealth by encouraging more environmentally friendly commuting options that will enhance our communities by providing a healthier and cleaner environment,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Within the past calendar year, Massachusetts employers saw an increase of over 7,000 commuters participating in commuter options programs, resulting in a reduction of over 11,000 tons of emissions from entering our air.”

Beyond transit benefits, Harvard’s CommuterChoice Program encourage employees to commute by bike, walk, or carpool in order to reduce the University’s environmental footprint. In 2014, Harvard was named a Gold level Bicycle Friendly University, in part due to its support for the Hubway regional bike share system. Commuter Choice provides benefits to the Cambridge/Allston and MASCO provide Harvard Longwood employees with benefits and programs that encourage transit use, bicycling, walking and carpooling.