Newton Citizen

Two Rockdale County employers recently joined the ranks of more than 1,600 metro Atlanta employers that participate in Georgia Commute Options.

Rockdale County Public Schools and Walker & Associates, an accounting firm for small businesses, partnered with The Clean Air Campaign and local transportation management associations in job centers around the region to improve mobility and air quality by supporting alternatives to driving alone, including carpool, vanpool, telework, transit, bicycle and walking options.

These options are found to create less-stressed, more productive and happier employees, according to a press release from The Clean Air Campaign.

With a recent study ranking metro Atlanta seventh worst for traffic congestion, finding commute solutions is more important than ever, according to the release.

"Traffic congestion costs the region's employers a combined $3.1 billion a year in lost productivity," said Tedra Cheatham, executive director of The Clean Air Campaign. "These employers are taking action to make the situation better for their employees and the bottom line. That is the kind of leadership that can have a dramatic impact on our region."

Each workday in metro Atlanta, more than 400,000 commuters use alternatives to driving alone. Many of these commuters work for employers that participate in Georgia Commute Options.

Georgia Commute Options gives employers access to free consulting services to develop custom commute options programs that motivate employees to choose alternatives to driving solo.

These efforts help reduce pollution in many areas across Georgia where more than half of smog-forming emissions come from the tailpipes of cars and trucks.