Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC), a leader in providing recognition for worksites across the nation, honors organizations that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to supporting smarter ways to travel by providing transportation benefits such as vanpools, transit passes, and related onsite amenities. In concert with its dedicated partner organizations, BWC provides recognition to organizations that go above and beyond in promoting transportation options. 

Hacienda's status as a Best Workplaces for Commuters site means that any of the park's nearly 700 businesses can apply for, and automatically receive, a Best Workplaces for Commuters Employer designation. Recently, BWC announced that it had expanded its membership beyond employers, universities, colleges, and commercial sites. Residential communities are now eligible for this prestigious program. Hacienda is home to four rental apartment complexes and five single-family home developments, for example, and each qualifies for membership. The membership application period for 2026 opened this month and ends on November 30, 2025.

Organizations that become a designated Best Workplace for Commuters receive a host of benefits. Employers meeting the Standard of Excellence should be able to better attract and retain employees, recruit the best employees, reduce turnover, increase worker productivity, and help employees arrive at work relaxed and on time, according to Julie Bond, Program Manager for Best Workplaces for Commuters. Residential communities can use the designation to appeal to renters or buyers concerned about the environmental impact of drive-alone commuting and other travel.

The BWC program is designed to demonstrate that transit programs such as BART, buses, carpools, bike parking, and similar efforts are economically beneficial and valuable to workers, employers, residents, and environmental health. After a successful pilot program, BWC added a residential sites category to recognize residential properties with transportation-friendly amenities. "These forward-thinking communities are helping to expand the conversation around transportation options, making their properties more appealing to residents while making it easier for them to get to and from the workplace," Bond says.

Those who work or live at Hacienda have many transit options, but not all of them realize the breadth of what is available. Becoming a member of BWC can help encourage employees and residents to use Hacienda's existing commuter program which, in turn, helps reduce environmental impacts. Organizations that participate are creating environmental excellence by helping reduce the demand for gasoline, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and cutting air pollution.

Each January, the names of organizations recognized by BWC are included on a list on the organization's website and an annual press release is disseminated nationally. Member organizations receive press release templates to use for their own marketing and a framed certificate documenting their company's elite status. They also receive exclusive use of the Best Workplaces for Commuters logo for their websites and company materials.

Organizations also receive free access for one person per worksite to Commuter Choice Certificate Classes, as well as access to web conferences and other training to help implement commuter benefits. BWC offers tools to help calculate the overall financial, environmental, and traffic improvements associated with the organization's commuter benefits. There are networking opportunities with peers and experts in the field to exchange ideas and learn new strategies.

For more information about Best Workplaces for Commuters, please visit bestworkplaces.org.

To apply to become a Best Workplace for Commuters as a Hacienda business, commercial site, or residential community, please visit www.bestworkplaces.org/join/bwc-2026-employer-at-best-site.

For more information about Hacienda's commuter benefits, please visit www.hacienda.org/location/project-overview/sustainability/transportation and www.hacienda.org/amenities/employees-residents/commute-solutions.