For many commuters, public transit can be the preferred choice. Use of public transit helps employees to arrive relaxed and ready to work, free of traffic and driving-related stress. For commuters to work locations in Westchester County, the many transit options listed below may provide a smarter way to get to work.
The Bee-Line System
The Bee-Line System is Westchester’s bus transit network with close to 60 routes. Major service hubs for the system include the White Plains TransCenter and the downtown areas of Yonkers, Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle. The Bee-Line System primarily serves Westchester County but also includes connecting services to Bronx subways, Metro-North trains, Transport of Rockland’s Hudson Link, Connecticut Transit’s I-Bus, and transit from Putnam, Dutchess and Orange Counties. Among the Bee-Line’s routes are several “shuttle loops” - providing connections to major employment centers and train stations in the County. Bee-Line ParaTransit provides curb-to-curb service for people with disabilities. For more information, call (914) 813-7777.
MTA Metro-North Railroad
MTA Metro-North Railroad is the second largest commuter railroad in the country, with three lines serving Westchester County: the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines. Metro-North’s hub is Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. For schedule, fare or other information, call 212-532-4900 or visit Metro-North’s web site.
Hudson Link
Hudson Link is operated by Transdev and is a commuter bus service from Rockland County to Tarrytown and White Plains. Call 844-822-8920 for route, fare and schedule information or visit the Hudson Link web site. There is a $1 transfer fee to/from Hudson Link and the Bee-Line System.
The I-Bus Stamford-White Plains Express
The I-Bus Stamford-White Plains Express Operated by CTTransit provides service in both directions connecting Stamford and White Plains. Travel time is approximately one half-hour in each direction. Service is provided on weekdays throughout the day. Call CTTransit at 1-888-BUS-RIDE (287-7433) toll-free from area codes 203 and 914 for schedule information, fare options and ticket sale locations. For an on-line version of the schedule visit CTTransit's web site.
Poughkeepsie-White Plains Express Bus
Poughkeepsie-White Plains Express Bus is operated by Leprechaun Lines and runs from Dutchess and Putnam counties to Westchester Medical Center and downtown White Plains. There are frequent trips that run in the morning and afternoon. For more information, call Leprechaun Lines at (845) 565-7900 or (800) 624-4217. Visit Leprechaun Lines for their express bus schedule.
Orange-Westchester Link
The OWL Bus operated by ShortLine offers daily express commuter bus service from Orange County to various locations in Tarrytown and White Plains. There is also a stop at the Nanuet park-and-ride lot at Exit 14 of the New York State Thruway in Rockland County. There are several trips that run in the morning and afternoon. Call ShortLine at 1-800-499-3541 for route, fare and schedule information. Visit ShortLine to view their commuter bus schedule.
Putnam Area Rapid Transit
PART is Putnam County’s bus transit system, operating five transit routes and the county’s paratransit service for eligible disabled persons. Call PART at (845) 878-RIDE (7433) for route, fare and schedule information. Visit PART's Web site for additional information.
MTA New York City Transit Subways and Buses
Several MTA bus routes and subway lines make connections with Bee-Line System buses in the Bronx and with the Bee-Line System’s BxM4C in Manhattan. Call MTA New York City Transit at (718) 330-1234 of visit the MTA web site for further information. For information on MetroCard, call 1-800-METROCARD (638-7622).
Carpooling
This SMART COMMUTE choice reduces the number of cars on the road and in your company parking lot. Sharing a ride can save an employee up to $1,500 a year by lowering gasoline bills, insurance costs and car maintenance. Carpooling can be encouraged through computerized matching of riders with the same needs and through company involvement in ridesharing programs. For more information and assistance about helping employees who may be interested in carpooling, visit 511NY Rideshare's web site.
Vanpooling
Full-size vans and minivans carrying 5–15 passengers are the next step up from carpools. These vehicles may be company owned or leased from a private vanpool company.
511NY Rideshare can provide assistance to employees within a company who wish to form a vanpool by holding informational meetings. At these meetings, potential vanpool groups are identified, routes are planned and the program and commitment are clearly explained. To get information about assisting employees who may be interested in vanpooling, visit 511NY Rideshare's web site.
Telecommuting
With Telecommuting (also called Telework), employees work at home or at a satellite office or telework center near home one or more days a week, instead of commuting to the main office. Telecommuting can eliminate the commute trip entirely if the employee is working from home. If a nearby telecenter is being utilized, this can significantly reduce the employee’s commute time and distance. Employees can be linked to the workplace by computer and modem or simply can do work that requires nothing more than a telephone. Employees can telecommute full-time or just a few days a month.
For more information about setting up a Telecommuting program at your work site, contact Westchester’s SMART COMMUTE Program at (914) 995-4444.
Alternative Work Schedules
An Alternative Work Schedule program (compressed work week, flextime, staggered hours) can be beneficial in a number of ways. It can provide versatility. Enabling employees to more conveniently use transit and rideshare options, as well as avoid traffic congestion and transit crowding. It can also be an attractive employee recruitment tool that allows employees to work around childcare or school schedules. Employees tend to view Alternative Work Schedule programs as a highly desirable benefit.
For more information about setting up an Alternative Work Schedule program, contact Westchester’s SMART COMMUTE Program at (914) 995-4444.
Biking and Walking
Approximately five percent of the population live within walking distance of their work location and 20 percent live within biking distance. Walking or biking need not be done on a daily basis to be a valuable commute option; indeed, many employees walk or bike only a few days a week during the warmer months of the year. Employers interested in promoting walking and biking can do so by providing bicycle storage, showers and locker rooms, and by allowing employees who walk or bike to dress casually on those days.