The MyCommute programme has been developed through a recognition that our journeys to and from work form a significant part of the working day.
Even with flexible and hybrid working options, the journeys we make cost money, can have an impact upon the environment, and even affect our productivity at work. Through MyCommute, we aim to ensure everyone is fully aware of the range of travel options available to them and, wherever possible, we can support and encourage staff to travel in the most sustainable way.
What are the benefits of the MyCommute?
It can save you money: Travelling by sustainable modes of travel can often be significantly cheaper than coming to work by car – if you cycle or walk it’s virtually free (after any initial purchase of a suitable bike or good pair of walking shoes).
The Bank offers a salary sacrifice scheme for season ticket loans. Given the expanding range of flexible and discounted ticketing options available, you might find it is cheaper and just as convenient to travel by public transport. Similarly, the Bank is a member of the Cycle2Work scheme, allowing colleagues the opportunity to acquire a new bike and make great savings along the way.
For those who travel from further afield and need to drive, switching to an EV can help reduce the cost of driving and there are EV charge points available to help you top-up whilst at work (tariffs apply).
Active travel is good for your health: Walking or cycling to work, even just once a week, can make a significant difference to your health and fitness levels. Did you know walking for 30 minutes a day could help halve the risk of heart disease? To support travelling on foot or wheels, all our sites benefit from showers, changing facilities and cycle storage.
In addition to the physical benefits, walking or cycling to work means you are not at the mercy of traffic congestion, giving you a more guaranteed journey time.
It helps to better manage our sites: The day-to-day operational issues associated with providing car parking can be significant. Given more colleagues are now returning to site more frequently, increased demand for car travel can often contribute to additional pressure on existing car parking facilities, and add to the time taken to find a parking space.
It reduces local congestion and our collective impact on the environment: The Bank appreciates localised traffic congestion can be frustrating and time-consuming to colleagues. However, it is also recognised that demand on the local networks arising from our commuting needs is part of the problem as well. Many local road networks are now operating at near-capacity during peak times, meaning the slightest issue can cause major traffic congestion.
The Bank is very committed to managing and reducing the impact of its operations on the local environment. Whilst you might not be aware, the transport sector is now the largest source of carbon emissions, and commuting is one of the biggest individual generators of carbon emissions. There is a growing body of evidence linking poor air quality levels arising from traffic pollution to a range of health concerns as well.
All it takes is a small individual change to make a big collective difference! A fully loaded double-decker bus can take up to 75 cars off the road, therefore if everyone was able to switch just one car journey per month to the bus (or other options), this would help remove one billion car journeys from the roads, saving up to two million tonnes of carbon emissions per year. Therefore, through MyCommute we are keen to assist everyone in making informed travel choices to make the commute more enjoyable and minimise the wider impacts wherever possible.