"It's great. It saves me on gas, mileage and parking and the hassle of dealing with traffic," he said. "If I was to park downtown, it would be about $100, plus the gas."

The Corporate Metropass Incentive Program is letting thousands of workers like Alfred enjoy cheaper, less stressful commutes by offering group discounts and pre-tax savings to those who purchase the monthly Metropass through their employer.

Groups of five to 99 employees can save $7.50 off the regular $75 Metropass, which is good for unlimited rides all month on Metrobus and Metrorail, while groups of 100 or more save $10. The monthly payroll deduction, which is also available for the $6.25 Metrorail parking permit, saves employees even more on their taxes.

"It's a great employee relations tool, and it's a great benefit for employees," said Leonie Timothee, human resources manager at the Intercontinental, where about 150 employees - from room attendants to stewards to managers - benefit from the program. "It's also good for us as an employer because we know employees have a way of getting to work."

Miami-Dade Transit's sales of the Metropass through the Corporate Metropass Incentive Program have doubled since 2002. About 7,400 employees at more than 120 businesses and institutions now take advantage of the program.

Miami-Dade Transit staff maintains a busy schedule of corporate outreach presentations. High gas prices and significant improvements in the transit system over the last three years also have helped spark interest in the program. Enhancements under the People's Transportation Plan, funded by the half-penny tax approved by voters in 2002, include 25 new bus routes and rush-hour service of every 30 minutes or better on all routes, as well as extended Metrorail rush-hour service and no-cost Metromover service.

"More employers are participating in the Corporate Metropass Incentive Program all the time because they know it's an excellent recruitment and retention tool. And now that Miami-Dade Transit service is more convenient than ever, there's never been a better time for employees to take advantage of this great bargain," said Miami-Dade Transit Director Roosevelt Bradley.

At the University of Miami's School of Medicine, with easy access to the Civic Center Metrorail station, the Metropass isn't just convenient, it's a virtual necessity for the school's employees, said Martha Gonzalez, the school's office manager.

"The main parking garage has a three-year waiting list," Gonzalez said.

If the school didn't offer the Corporate Metropass Incentive Program benefit, she added, "employees would riot."

For more information about the Corporate Metropass Incentive Program or to schedule a presentation to your office, call 305-884-7555 or e-mail ccelestin@miamidade.gov.

Wish no more.

Automated regional transit trip planning is available online at Go.miamidade.gov.

Just click the "Trip Planner" link in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, then punch in your starting point, destination and desired time of travel to get instant detailed trip planning information using Miami-Dade Transit, Tri-Rail, Broward County Transit, Palm Tran, or any combination of the four. The software works with addresses as well as landmarks. You can even plan a trip from Homestead all the way to West Palm Beach!