Bad trip: Biden making federal workers take public transportation or other ‘green’ travel options

President Biden has directed federal employees to take public transportation, ride bikes or rent electric vehicles when traveling for work, in a move the administration says will save taxpayer money and reduce the government’s carbon footprint. 

The new guidance was announced in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget and a General Services Administration bulletin updating federal travel regulations. 

Agencies were also encouraged not to send employees on business trips at all, with the GSA guidance adding, “In every case, the trip not taken is the least expensive and most sustainable.”

If employees must travel for official business, they are directed to avoid taking private vehicles and opt for Lyft, Uber or taxis and increase their use of public transportation, such as subways, trains and buses. 

“These operations changes will accelerate the clean transportation transformation, increase good-paying union jobs and create healthier communities,” the White House said in a statement. 

Government employees traveling for work last year took more than 2.8 million flights, rented 2.3 million vehicles and took 33,000 rail trips. That added up to $2.8 billion in annual costs for taxpayers, the White House said. 

By pushing federal agencies to prioritize the use of green transportation for local, domestic and international travel, it will help contribute to Mr. Biden’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions from overall federal operations by 2050 and a 65% reduction by 2030, the White House said. 

The new guidance, issued Thursday, stems from an executive order Mr. Biden signed in 2021 to help reduce the federal government’s carbon footprint. 

Under the guidance, government employees must rent an electric vehicle while traveling for work when the cost of the EV is less than or equal to the most comparable gas-powered vehicle. It also requires employees to opt for EVs when using taxis or ride-share platforms when they are cost-competitive. 

Employees must only use rail on trips that require less than 250 miles of travel, instead of flying, while workers traveling locally must use public transportation, according to the guidelines. 

“Travelers should be familiar with subway/trains and bus routes that are available between meetings, lodging and other locations at which business is to be conducted,” GSA said. “When available, employees should use public buses that use alternative fuels, such as electricity or compressed natural gas, rather than gasoline or diesel to reduce emissions.”

Agencies should also look for hotels that have charging stations as part of the new guidance. 

The Biden administration said it has secured a series of commitments from rental car and ride-share companies to achieve its goals. Hertz said it would “substantially increase” EV rentals for corporate travel, while Uber will offer incentives for riders to go green.