Barnes-Jewish and Children's
Hospitals will begin subsidizing employees' commute on MetroLink and MetroBus starting
Jan. 1 as a new benefit.
The hospitals will offer $20 a
month toward a $50 monthly transit pass for MetroLink and MetroBus. In
addition, employees can have the remaining cost deducted from their gross pay,
saving on payroll taxes and making the monthly pass cost less than $30.
Thomas Shrout, executive
director of Citizens for Modern Transit, said the deal helps employees by
saving them money; helps the hospitals through less parking demand, increased
employee morale and a better benefits package; and helps the community by
reducing traffic congestion, adding more pedestrian activity and increased
economic development opportunities.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital and
Children's Hospital are part of St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare, the area's
largest employer with more than 21,000 employees. It is affiliated with
Washington University School of Medicine and operates 12 other hospitals in the
area.