EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – GE Capital Solutions Fleet Services was named a recent recipient of the "Best Workplaces for Commuters" designation and was recognized as the only Minnesota company to receive national status at the regional Commuter Choice Awards ceremony.

The Commuter Choice Awards, presented by Metro Transit and the region's transportation management organizations, recognize organizations and individuals for their creative solutions in promoting alternatives to driving alone to work, such as transit, bicycle commuting, carpooling, vanpooling and telecommuting.

Dan Kratz, truck operations manager and commuter services leader at GE Capital Solutions Fleet Services, was on hand to receive the award. Kratz also shared with the audience GE's successful commuter program which offers commuting options and support services such as carpool matching, telecommuting, flexible work schedules, and vanpool program providing several vans for its employees to use.

GE's commuter program benefits both employees and the environment by contributing to a work-life balance, as well as reducing global warming greenhouse gas emissions, according to the company. GE Fleet Services supported five vanpools at its Eden Prairie, Minn. Headquarters, transporting an average of 26 people daily during 2008. Vanpooling resulted in fuel savings of approximately 2,600 gallons of fuel per van and a reduction in carbon emissions of 85 percent. In addition, 163 GE volunteers rode buses or carpooled to GE's recent community event at Torre de San Miguel in St. Paul, Minn., reducing CO₂ emissions by 6,300 lbs, the company said.