Maryland Department of the Environment

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Clean Commute

For residents and commuters through Maryland, a large number of programs, services, and events exist to help reduce the impact of commuting.

Commuter Choice

Commuter Choice Maryland is a State of Maryland funded program managed by the Maryland Department of Transportation that provides incentives to encourage people to reduce the impact of their commute. Reducing the number of people commuting also reduces the amount of emissions, congestion, and accidents. The program provides tax incentives for Maryland employers to encourage decreased automobile use for employees and offers a guaranteed ride home for commuters so they are not dependent on a car in case of an emergency.

For more information on the program, check www.commuterchoicemaryland.com.  A summary of program benefits and results is available here.

Options for Commuters

To have a smarter commute, take a look at some of the following alternatives to driving alone:

  • Transit - Train, bus, and even subway services are located throughout Maryland and surrounding areas. Reduce your driving costs and stress level by taking one of these modes to work. There are many park and ride locations throughout the state to increase access to these alternatives. Ask your employer to participate in the Commuter Choice Program to provide reduced-price transit passes! 
  • Carpool - If driving is your best option to get to work, an additional rider can help improve the commute and reduce costs. By alternating driving with other carpool members, you can reduce the amount that you have to drive and be driven to work instead. Try setting up a carpool with others you work with - you can meet at a central location like a park and ride lot, or be picked up at your house. Be sure to discuss schedule requirements and expenses for gas to keep everyone happy in your carpool. To locate possible carpool members from outside your office, try the Commuter Connections website, it matches up potential carpoolers throughout Maryland and into the surrounding states.

  • Biking and Walking to Work - You may enjoy riding your bike for exercise or pleasure, but how about using it to get to work? Combine your daily exercise with your daily commute to reduce commuting costs and emissions. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council has more information on bike commuting
  • Teleworking - Shorten your commute by working from home or a location closer to home. Teleworking involves working on assignments from a remote location, but remaining in contact via telephone and email. Often, this means working from a home office or a telework center near your home. Some people telework often, while some telework infrequently due to work assignments. If teleworking is appropriate for your job, it is a great commuting alternative to consider.
  • Alternative Work Schedules - Another way to reduce the impact of your commute is to commute less. By working a compressed work week, you have to make commute fewer trips to work. A compressed work week means that you work more hours each day and as a result, go in to work fewer days. A common two-week (80-hour cycle) schedule is to work 9 hours on Monday through Thursday, 8 hours one Friday with the opposite Friday off. You work the same total hours, but save your time by making fewer commute trips. A compressed work week may not be appropriate for all jobs but is a good commuting alternative to keep in mind.

Important Transportation Contacts

  • Commuter Choice Mar​yland: For inquiries or general information, please call 410-865-1100. This line is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or email: commuterchoice@mdot.state.md.us 

  • MDOT MTA Transit Information Center call: 1-866-RIDE-MTA (M-F, 6am-7pm)

  • For WMATA transit c​all: 1-202-637-7000 or visit wmata.com

  • For information on commute options in the Metropolitan D.C area call Commuter Connections : 1-800-745-RIDE or visit commuterconnections.org

  • Transportation Resource Information Point: 1-877-331-TRIP (8747)​

Useful Links

Baltimore Metropolitan Council

Report A Smoking Vehicle

Please let us know if you see a vehicle with excessive emissions by clicking here. Excessive emisions usually indicate a problem with the vehicle's powertrain or exhaust system and have negative impacts on air quality and vehicle operation.

Point of Contact

Please direct questions of comments concerning this program to Justin Mabrey of the Mobile Sources Control program at (410) 537-3270 or Justin.Mabrey@maryland.gov


 Commuter Choice Maryland

Commuter Benefits are transportation fringe benefits regulated under Section 132(f) of the IRS Code. Currently, federal law allows for employers to offer employees up to $265 per month as a pre-tax deduction or tax free subsidy for use on transit, vanpools, and eligible parking.

Maryland employers, including organizations exempt from taxation under §501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code, may claim a tax credit for a portion of the eligible costs of providing commuter benefits to participating employees. The tax credit is 50% of the cost of providing the commuter benefits such as subsidized transit fare, Company Guaranteed Ride Home, Vanpool, and Parking Cash Out up to a maximum of $100 per month for each employee. The tax credit can be taken against the state personal income tax, corporate income tax, or the insurance premium tax.

Check and see if your workplace offers these types of programs!

For more information visit the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Commuter Choice Maryland website or call 410-865-1100. This line is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or email: commuterchoice@mdot.state.md.us 


Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21230