Every weekday morning, UNC Asheville Associate Professor Doug Miller boards an Asheville Transit System bus near his home in Arden. He shows the driver his University ID and enjoys a free commute to his office on campus.

Miller is just one of a number of UNC Asheville faculty and staff members who are taking advantage of riding the bus, biking or carpooling to work each day.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently took note of the University's transportation efforts and named UNC Asheville a "Best Workplace for Commuters." UNC Asheville is just one of three universities in the state to earn the designation.

"We are planning our transportation options in a way that takes into consideration the environment, the health of our employees and wise financial choices for our employees and the University," said Yuri Koslen, UNC Asheville Transportation Planner.

By taking the bus, Miller estimates that he saves more than $50 per month on gasoline and countless dollars on wear-and-tear on his vehicle. He says that he actually saves time, too.

"If I time it right, my commute on the bus takes about 30 minutes, which is the same amount of time it takes to drive and park" said Miller. "While I'm waiting on connections at the bus station, I work grading papers. The bus station has become my mobile office."

In January, the University became the first employer in Asheville to join the Asheville Transit System's PassPort Program. The University underwrites the fares at a reduced rate, which allows UNC Asheville students, faculty and staff to ride for free by showing their University ID. This partnership was one of the primary reasons the University earned the "Best Workplace for Commuters" designation.

"On behalf of City Council, I applaud UNC Asheville's leadership and partnership," said Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy. "We were very pleased that the University was our first partner in the city's PassPort program."

Other alternative transportation options available to UNC Asheville faculty and staff include a Web site to organize carpools and preferred parking for carpool vehicles; secure bicycle parking, lockers for bike commuters and a bike repair shop on campus; and participation in the City of Asheville's Emergency Ride Home Program, which provides a free cab ride home in emergency situations to those who bike, carpool or take the bus to work.

Miller, who teaches in the Atmospheric Sciences Department, admits that trying alternative transportation for the first time is the hardest part.

"We all need to just break out of our habits and give it a try," he said. "If we are willing to try, we can discover that taking the bus or other forms of alternative transportation to work can really work and be great."