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Two Bay Area Business Parks Designated as Best Workplaces for Commuters

Release Date: 7/25/2003
Contact Information: Laura Gentile, (415) 947-4227

SAN FRANCISCO -Today EPA and several partners recognized two Bay Area business parks, Bishop Ranch in San Ramon and Hacienda in Pleasanton, for superior commuter benefits provided to employees and residents.

EPA and the Bay Area's Best Workplaces for Commuters Coalition named the two business parks because they offer commuters alternatives to driving alone, while reducing traffic and air pollution and improving health and quality of life for commuters. In order to be designated, districts must have certain levels of commuter benefits that meet the US EPA standards for commuter transportation programs.

Hacienda Business Park provides commuter benefits to 17,000 employees, including free use of local transit, emergency rides home, and cycling and pedestrian accommodations. Bishop Ranch, a 585-acre business park with 30,000 employees, offers free BART passes, cash incentives to join or form carpools and seven miles of trails for biking or walking.

"Cars, trucks and buses contribute a significant source of air pollution to the Bay Area," says Jack Broadbent, director of EPA's Air Division. "These business parks have taken significant steps toward improving local air quality by providing options to commuters which will ultimately result in fewer vehicles on the road."

According to the 2000 Census, more than 70 percent of the approximately 3.3 million Bay Area commuters drive to work alone, and over 11 percent commute two hours a day.