WH: Upon arrival employees should try to use public transit or may use bike share or other modes when available. Image: EQRoy/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe Biden administration has told agencies to emphasize use of “sustainable” transportation modes for employees on official travel by prioritizing zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) over other automobiles in general; interstate and commuter rail over air travel or long-distance automobile travel; and public transit over automobiles for local trips.
OMB memo M-24-05 is the latest directive under the administration’s Federal Sustainability Plan to reach net-zero emissions from overall federal operations by 2050—including a 65 percent emissions reduction by 2030—which already has included an emphasis on replacing gas-fueled vehicles with ZEVs in the federal fleet.
“By prioritizing sustainable transportation methods for official travel, many of which have achieved cost parity with other transportation methods, agencies can leverage the federal demand signal for public transit, automobile, rail, and air travel, which will result in the federal government’s saving taxpayer dollars and reducing its environmental footprint,” it says.
The memo says that when using a government-furnished motor vehicle for official travel, travelers should prioritize using a ZEV if one is available and where adequate charging structure is likely to be available en route or at the destination.
ZEVs also are to be chosen when renting a vehicle if the daily rental rate is no higher than that for the least expensive car available for the approved class of car (for example, a compact). Also, “When selecting a taxi or a ride share provided through an app-based ride hailing company, select a ZEV if one is available. If a ZEV is not available, select the vehicle with the highest fuel efficiency.”
In general, employees “should travel by rail where available for city pairs less than 250 miles apart, especially in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and in countries where regional or international rail is available and time and cost effective (e.g., in Europe and parts of Asia). Federal employees should use automobiles (including ZEVs) for long-distance travel only when no other practical option exists, such as when traveling in remote or rural areas.”
On arrival at a destination, employees “should prioritize using public transit (e.g., subway, bus, light rail) when conducting local travel” and “may also use non-motorized modes of transportation (e.g., bike-share) when available and compatible with mission needs.”
The memo does not set policies for selecting among air options but orders GSA, OMB and the Council on Environmental Quality to produce such a plan within four months.
Agencies also are to report within that time on the steps they have taken to carry out the directives, including for example changing defaults for displaying travel options to prioritize sustainable travel; providing information to employees on sustainable travel options including during onboarding and other training; clarifying that expenses for charging a rented ZEV qualify for reimbursement; and more.
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