The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) Commuter Connections program celebrated five local employers and organizations for their outstanding commuter benefits and telework programs at its 28th Annual Employer Awards ceremony held at the National Press Club on June 25th. City of Alexandria Councilmember Canek Aguirre and Montgomery County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board presented the awards trophies to the winners.

Commuter Connections recognized the City of Alexandria, Virginia, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) of Alexandria, Virginia, and Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) of Arlington County, Virginia, with awards for their outstanding commuter benefits and resources that facilitate teleworking and promote various commuting methods, other than driving alone.

COG’s regional commuter program also honored Fairfax County Commuter Services with the 2025 Employer Outreach Team Award and Federal Realty – Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland, with the 2025 Employer Services Organization Award.

“By making alternative transportation easier, these organizations are improving how our region moves,” said James Walkinshaw, Chair of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board at COG, and Fairfax County Supervisor. “Empowering employees to choose different transit options paves the way for cleaner air, less road congestion, and better mobility.”

Commuter Connections received nominations from employers throughout the region, focusing on improving work culture and community through innovative commuter benefits and/or telework programs. A selection committee evaluated these nominations and chose winners based on their efforts and accomplishments to reduce gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through fewer vehicle trips and miles traveled—while also creating measurable and sustainable commuter benefits for their employees.

“We’re pleased to honor the winners of our 2025 Employer Awards for their leadership in advancing sustainable commuting options,” said Daniel Sheehan, Commuter Connections Director. “These organizations demonstrate how alternative commuting options can benefit both the workforce and the environment, and we hope their efforts inspire others in the region.”

Employer Awards

Awardees for 2025 include the following three organizations:

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), an individual membership professional organization, earned a 2025 Employer Award for its numerous transit benefits and amenities. APTA subsidizes public transit and gives new employees a free $50 SmarTrip card through SmartBenefits. Awarded a Silver Bicycle Friendly Business designation from The League of American Bicyclists, APTA provides bike racks, lockers, showers, and a bike repair station for employees. The organization also encourages carpooling by designating preferred parking spaces. Furthermore, nearly all employees work from home at least two days per week. In 2024, these benefits helped employees reduce 787,500 Single-Occupant Vehicle (SOV) SOV miles traveled and save 35,795 gallons of gas.

The City of Alexandria, Virginia, is committed to providing a range of flexible commuting options for its employees. The City’s Transportation Demand Management Program, GO Alex, focuses on reducing single occupant vehicle (SOV) travel. Through SmartBenefits, the City subsidizes employees who use public transit and qualified vanpool services. For those on bike or foot, shower facilities, lockers, and covered bike racks are available at most worksites. Employees can obtain annual Capital Bikeshare memberships for free. To shorten commutes, eligible employees living outside the city are offered an interest-free, deferred payment loan of up to $15,000 to help purchase a home within the City. Additionally, nearly a third of employees can telework up to two days per week. In 2024, the City of Alexandria helped reduce 4,974,000 SOV employee miles traveled and saved 226,091 gallons of gas.

Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), a Department of Defense (DoD) Field Activity supporting various DoD components—including the Pentagon and Mark Center—touts impressive coordination and outreach for its commuter program. Since the Pentagon Transit Center is the largest transit hub in the region, WHS established a Transportation Management Program Office to manage the DoD shuttle system, encourage non-SOV travel, and mitigate traffic impacts from large-scale construction projects. A member of Commuter Connections, WHS offers transit subsidies, alternative work schedules, compressed work weeks, and bike amenities. And finally, WHS’ extensive outreach includes fairs and events, advisories, traffic alerts, rideshare distribution lists, social media, and a monthly newsletter. In 2024, these efforts helped WHS reduce 131,480,000 SOV employee miles and save 5,976,364 gallons of gas.

These three employers combined saved 137,241,500 SOV miles travelled and 6,238,250 gallons of gas throughout 2024.

Employer Services Organization Award

Federal Realty received the 2025 Employer Services Organization Award for enhancing commuting options at Pike & Rose, a property in Montgomery County that boasts offices, restaurants, apartments, retail shops, and more. Through the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s FareShare program, Federal Realty offers a monthly transit subsidy for Pike & Rose retail employees, as well as bike racks, lockers, and showers. Federal Realty worked with the State Highway Administration and Montgomery County to help redesign Towne Road for safe bicycle/pedestrian access. Federal Realty also actively promotes SOV alternatives by hosting “Commuter Information Days” and strives to make transportation information accessible.

 

Employer Outreach Team Award

Fairfax County Commuter Services was honored with the 2025 Employer Outreach Team Award for its success in partnering with employers to develop and expand commuter benefit offerings. During 2024, the team held 418 meetings, resulting in an impressive 404 new employer programs within the jurisdiction. County staff also organized numerous transportation events at employer worksites to increase employee participation.