Enterprise Holdings recently launched Commute with Enterprise — an enhanced service of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand that offers a sustainable, comprehensive, and cost-effective local transportation option.

This new name for the company’s vanpooling service (formerly known as Enterprise Rideshare) reflects its longtime mission: creating solutions that not only immediately lower transportation costs for commuters, but also reduce businesses’ environmental impact and improve their corporate sustainability profiles.

Enterprise’s commuting programs typically consist of four to 15 coworkers who meet at a central location to board a newer van or SUV — sometimes equipped with Wi-Fi, GPS, and satellite radio — and travel to and from work together. 

Commute with Enterprise also provides 24-hour roadside assistance, insurance, and scheduled maintenance.

Reducing the Cost of Commuting

Enterprise says it can help individuals save thousands of dollars every year by reducing ongoing costs such as gas, tolls, and vehicle depreciation. 

A recent analysis of U.S. Census data from Bloomberg showed that employees in the Washington, D.C., metro area have the longest commutes, with a daily average of more than 73 minutes traveling to and from work. Close behind are New York City commuters, who spend 70 minutes, while workers in Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago all log roughly an hour of commuting time each day.

Bloomberg’s report also indicates that commuters in the nation’s capital pay the most to get to work. Seven out of the 10 U.S. counties with the most expensive commutes surround Washington, D.C.

Vanpooling programs address both local and national needs by reducing carbon emissions, parking real estate and traffic congestion. Commute with Enterprise operates 11,100 vanpools in 45 states, eliminating 1.4 billion commuter miles each year and taking nearly 65,000 cars off the road as well as off parking lots. The program also collectively reduces more than 1.1 billion pounds of carbon emissions annually.

According to U.S. Department of Transportation data, commuter vanpools also are the safest mode of public transportation when compared to motor bus, light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, and other demand response services.