Sustainable mobility: what is it and how can you use it as an employer?
Employees are increasingly working in a hybrid way and travelling more flexibly. They want to be able to choose how they get to the office. At the same time, as an employer, you want to keep control of costs, contribute to sustainability goals and be prepared for changing laws and regulations. Sustainable mobility can help you achieve this. By organising commuting and business travel more smartly, you reduce CO₂ emissions, offer greater flexibility and keep mobility costs under control. In this article, you will learn what sustainable mobility is, what benefits it offers and how to create a sustainable mobility policy that fits your organisation.
Sustainable mobility looks different for every organisation. That is why we look at your situation, travel behaviour and objectives together. This enables us to help you with solutions that fit both your organisation and your employees.
Public transport in your mobility policy: with suitable subscriptions and mobility solutions, you make it more attractive for employees to choose the train more often.
The NS-Business Card: with the
NS-Business Card , employees always have train, bus, tram, metro and OV-fiets within easy reach. All journeys appear afterwards on a single monthly VAT invoice.NS Go: with
NS Go platform , you automate travel expense reimbursements and gain insight into travel behavior and mobility costs. Thanks to an integration with the HR system, reimbursements are automatically processed through payroll.Tailored advice: want to know where the opportunities lie for your organisation? Our mobility advisors will think along with you about suitable solutions and help you shape a sustainable mobility policy.
What is sustainable mobility?
For you as an employer, sustainable mobility means encouraging your employees to travel in a smarter and more conscious way. For example, by train, bicycle, shared mobility or a combination of these options. In doing so, you help reduce emissions, ease congestion and contribute to a healthier living environment. Sustainable mobility is not only a responsible choice, but also a practical one. It helps keep your organisation accessible, manage mobility costs and offer employees more flexibility in how and when they travel. With smart travel options and clear agreements, you can make sustainable travel attractive for employees and workable for your organisation. For example, consider travelling outside peak hours: this often makes journeys more comfortable for employees and can also help reduce mobility costs.
Why is sustainable mobility important for employers?
Mobility is changing rapidly. Employees want more flexibility, sustainability is becoming increasingly important, and pressure on roads and parking spaces is growing. That is why more and more organisations are taking a critical look at their mobility policy.
Cost savings: sustainable mobility can help save money. Think of fewer lease cars, lower parking costs and less fleet management. Employees travel more efficiently by combining train, bicycle and shared mobility. Want to know how the train compares financially with the car?
Read more about the cost savings of train versus car. Lower emissions: more and more organisations have concrete sustainability goals. By encouraging employees to travel more often by train, bicycle or shared mobility, you reduce CO₂ emissions from commuting and business travel.
Legislation and regulations: there is more and more legislation and regulation around sustainability and mobility, such as mandatory CO₂ reporting. Large employers must provide insight into the emissions from commuting and business travel.
Read more about mandatory CO₂ reporting for employers. Better accessibility: pressure on roads and parking spaces is increasing, especially around cities and office locations. By offering employees attractive alternatives to the car, you improve the accessibility of your organisation. This also reduces dependence on scarce space.
Good employership: the way people work and travel is changing. Employees increasingly want to decide for themselves where, when and how they travel. With a sustainable mobility policy, you give them that freedom of choice. This leads to satisfied employees and helps you attract and retain.
Mobility budget for employees: for many organisations, a mobility budget forms the basis of a flexible and sustainable mobility policy. Employees receive a fixed budget and can choose how they travel to work. You determine the budget and the conditions.
Bicycle allowance as an incentive: for distances of up to 10 kilometres, cycling is often a good alternative to the car. That is why more and more employers are opting for a higher bicycle allowance. This encourages cycling and helps reduce CO₂ emissions from commuting, while employees also benefit from the health advantages of cycling.
Shared mobility: not all business journeys can be made entirely by public transport. Shared mobility helps cover the final part of the journey flexibly. With
Public transport as a foundation: many organisations place public transport at the heart of their business mobility policy. For medium and long distances, the train is often an efficient and sustainable alternative. Employees avoid traffic jams, do not have to search for a parking space and can work while travelling. This makes travel more sustainable, comfortable and efficient.
Smartly combining modes of transport: sustainable mobility does not always mean using the same mode of transport. In fact, combining train, OV-fiets, shared mobility and walking often makes travel easier and more flexible.
Many employers want to take action on sustainable mobility but are not sure where to start. The good news: a sustainable mobility policy does not have to be complicated. With the right insights and choices, you can quickly take steps towards a mobility policy that fits your organisation.
Analyse current travel behaviour
Set clear and measurable goals
Choose suitable transport solutions
Record agreements in your mobility policy
Communicate and implement the policy
Evaluate and adjust where necessary
Every organisation is different. That is why our mobility advisors work with you to assess the current situation, objectives and possibilities. This gives you insight into which steps will have the greatest impact for your organisation.
Our mobility advisors assist you every step of the way: from gaining insight into travel behavior to creating a mobility policy that works — for your organization and the employees who travel.
Ready to take action on sustainable mobility?
Frequently asked questions about sustainable mobility
What counts as sustainable mobility?
Sustainable mobility includes modes of transport that contribute to lower emissions and a more efficient use of space. Think of train travel, cycling, shared mobility, walking and electric transport.
What are examples of sustainable mobility for employers?
Examples include a mobility budget, a bicycle allowance, public transport for business use, shared cars, OV-fiets (public transport bike), and hybrid working.
What is a sustainable mobility policy?
A sustainable mobility policy describes how employees travel for commuting and business appointments, with attention to sustainability, accessibility, costs and flexibility.
How do you encourage sustainable travel behavior among employees?
By giving employees freedom of choice, for example with a mobility budget, a bicycle allowance, or good public transport facilities.
Why do employers choose sustainable mobility?
Employers choose sustainable mobility to save costs, reduce CO2 emissions, become more attractive as an employer, and be prepared for future laws and regulations.