Commute Seattle
Commute Seattle is a nonprofit Transportation Management Association providing free consulting to Seattle employers on Commute Trip Reduction compliance, ORCA Business transit programs, and commuter benefits, supported by a regional coalition of SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, and the Downtown Seattle Association.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Commute Seattle does
Commute Seattle, operating under the legal name Urban Mobility Group, is a nonprofit Transportation Management Association (TMA) founded in 2004 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The organization operates as a program of the Downtown Transportation Alliance (DTA), a coalition comprising the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), King County Metro, the Downtown Seattle Association, and Sound Transit, with rotating private-sector representation. Commute Seattle delivers free consulting services to Seattle-area employers and property managers, with its core offerings spanning regulatory compliance support (Washington's Commute Trip Reduction law for 100+ employee businesses and Seattle's Commuter Benefit Ordinance for 20+ employee businesses), facilitation of ORCA Business Passport and ORCA Business Choice transit pass programs, Flexwork telework policy consulting, and Transportation Management Program support for building owners.
The organization does not develop proprietary technology products; instead it leverages existing regional transit infrastructure (ORCA card system, King County Metro, Sound Transit light rail, SDOT networks) and integrates with Google Maps APIs. Its service delivery is conducted through on-site and virtual consultations, educational seminars (Commute University webinar series), community events, and an annual Seattle Commute Survey that captured responses from over 75,000 commuters in 2024. In 2025, Commute Seattle supported 175,000+ employees at CTR-affected businesses, completed 386 one-on-one consultations, placed 1,100+ ORCA cards through 45 ORCA Business Passport program sales, and hosted over 1,200 event attendees.
Commercially, Commute Seattle operates on a grant/public-funding model: services are free to businesses, and the organization is funded through its DTA coalition partners. Customer segments are distributed horizontally across enterprise (Tableau, Kaiser Permanente, Port of Seattle, Urban Renaissance Group), mid-market (The Sound Hotel), SMB (Madres Kitchen, Midtown Chiropractic), startup (Boundless), and nonprofit/government (Evergreen Goodwill, Washington Health Alliance) accounts. Marketing is delivered through content (website, biweekly "On The Move" newsletter), social channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram), webinars, in-person events, and partner referrals from DTA member agencies. The team comprises 1–10 employees led by Executive Director Alex Hudson.
Commute Seattle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Commute Seattle
- Legal name
- Urban Mobility Group
- Website
- https://commuteseattle.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Commute Seattle is a nonprofit Transportation Management Association providing free consulting to Seattle employers on Commute Trip Reduction compliance, ORCA Business transit programs, and commuter benefits, supported by a regional coalition of SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, and the Downtown Seattle Association.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Commute Seattle industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Transportation Demand Management Services
- NAICS
- Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (485), Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (48599)
- SIC
- Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate & Employee On-Demand Ride Programs (Managed Mobility) (THAIAGAI)
Keywords
Where Commute Seattle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Commute Seattle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government/Public Funding: Commute Seattle is a nonprofit Transportation Management Association supported by the Downtown Transportation Alliance (DTA), which includes SDOT, King County Metro, Downtown Seattle Association, and Sound Transit. Their services are free to businesses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Free consulting for all Seattle businesses |
| Subscription | Annual | ORCA Business Passport annual passes |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Commute Seattle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Commute Seattle is a nonprofit Transportation Management Association that provides free consulting services to Seattle-area employers and property managers. Its core offerings include facilitating employer-sponsored ORCA Business transit programs (Business Passport and Business Choice), assisting businesses with Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) and Commuter Benefit Ordinance compliance, supporting telework/Flexwork policy design, and running educational programming such as Commute University webinars and community events.
Product overview
Commute Seattle is a nonprofit Transportation Management Association that operates as a single-platform service offering free consulting and programs to help Seattle businesses manage employee commuting. The core offering centers on ORCA Business Programs (Business Passport and Business Choice), which provide employer-sponsored transit benefits. These are complemented by supporting services including Flexwork telework program support, Commuter Benefit Ordinance compliance consulting, Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) regulatory support for large employers, Transportation Management Program assistance for property managers, and Commute University educational webinars. Together, these programs help reduce drive-alone commutes and improve transportation access for Seattle workers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ORCA Business Passport An annual bulk-pass program where employers purchase unlimited transit passes for all benefits-eligible employees at a bundled zone-based rate. Employers can fully cover the cost or cost-share with employees using pre-tax payroll deductions. Offered to Seattle businesses through Commute Seattle's consulting and facilitation services in partnership with King County Metro.
- ORCA Business Choice A flexible month-to-month transit benefit option at retail rates. Employers can load pre-tax deductions onto employee cards, fund employer subsidies, or combine both approaches with no setup cost. Used by Seattle employers of all sizes, including nonprofits, hotels, restaurants, and small healthcare practices.
- Flexwork Program Customized solutions and policies for working remotely, helping businesses implement effective telework arrangements for their employees as part of the overall commute program portfolio.
- Commuter Benefit Ordinance Consulting Free consulting to help Seattle businesses with 20+ employees check compliance with the City of Seattle Commuter Benefit Ordinance, set up pre-tax transit benefit options, and maximize available employee benefits.
- Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Program Support Comprehensive regulatory support for Seattle businesses with 100+ affected employees under Washington State's Commute Trip Reduction law, including biennial commute survey administration, program report preparation, and Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) coaching.
- Transportation Management Program Support Consulting services for property managers with Transportation Management Program (TMP) agreements, helping buildings advance sustainability goals through tenant commute programs and compliance support.
- Seminars & Public Events Educational seminars and public events about commuting options, including Bike Month celebrations, Light Up Your Trip safety events, Transportation Transformations annual conferences, and Insider Insights gatherings sponsored by partners like Lime and RidePanda.
Quantifiable outcome
- 175,000+ employees supported at CTR-affected businesses in 2025
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Commute Seattle
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Commute Seattle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Commute Seattle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Downtown Transportation Alliance (DTA)coreCommute Seattle is supported by the Downtown Transportation Alliance, comprised of executive leadership from Seattle Department of Transportation, King County Metro, Downtown Seattle Association, Sound Transit, and rotating private-sector representation. This coalition provides funding, strategic direction, and regional coordination for commute programs.
- Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)coreSDOT is a member of the Downtown Transportation Alliance that supports Commute Seattle. SDOT provides regulatory oversight for CTR and works with Commute Seattle on transportation programs.
- King County MetrocoreKing County Metro is a member of the Downtown Transportation Alliance and the primary provider of ORCA Business Programs. Commute Seattle serves as a consultant for businesses implementing Metro's transit pass programs.
- Sound TransitcoreSound Transit is a member of the Downtown Transportation Alliance supporting Commute Seattle. They operate light rail and Sounder train services that Commute Seattle helps employees access.
- Downtown Seattle AssociationcoreDowntown Seattle Association is a member of the Downtown Transportation Alliance supporting Commute Seattle. They co-host events and collaborate on downtown mobility initiatives.
- RidePandaminorRidePanda sponsored the 2026 Insider Insights event. RidePanda offers e-bike and scooter share services for commute alternatives.
- LimeminorLime sponsored the 2026 Bike Month Send Off event. Lime provides micromobility options (e-bikes and scooters) that complement commute programs.
- Move RedmondminorTransportation Management Association partner working alongside Commute Seattle on state-level advocacy for CTR funding restoration and modernization efforts.
- Downtown on the GominorTransportation Management Association partner collaborating with Commute Seattle and Move Redmond on state-level CTR advocacy.
- Connect BellevueminorTransportation Management Association partner that co-hosts Transportation Transformations events with Commute Seattle.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Commute Seattle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Steer: Global transportation consulting firm offering TDM strategy, commuter program design, and policy advisory to employers and public agencies. Larger, for-profit counterpart providing overlapping (but paid) services to the same employer buyer.
Others
- Best Workplaces for Commuters: National recognition program that certifies employers offering commuter benefits. Operates in adjacent employer-mobility space and provides similar employer-facing programming, though via certification rather than direct consulting.
Direct peers
- Commute.org: San Mateo County TMA providing free employer commute consulting, CTR-equivalent compliance support, and shuttle/vanpool program administration. Closest out-of-state functional peer to Commute Seattle.
- goDCgo: Washington DC TMA offering employer transportation benefits consulting, commute survey administration, and transit incentive programs. National TMA peer operating at comparable scale with similar employer-focused services.
Regional players
- Downtown on the Go: TMA based in Tacoma, WA providing employer commute programs, CTR support, and downtown mobility advocacy. Operates the same nonprofit TMA playbook as Commute Seattle in a different Washington city.
- Connect Bellevue: TMA serving Bellevue, WA with employer commute consulting and CTR-related programming. Co-hosts events with Commute Seattle and shares the regional TMA advocacy coalition.
- Move Redmond: Transportation Management Association serving Redmond, WA with a near-identical model: free employer commute consulting, CTR compliance support, and partnership with Sound Transit/regional agencies. Direct TMA peer in the adjacent Puget Sound market.
Emerging players
- RideAmigos: Software platform providing transportation demand management tools, commute tracking, and incentive program administration to employers. Competes for the same employer mobility budget but via technology rather than consulting.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Commute Seattle social profiles
Digital presenceCommute Seattle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Commute Seattle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Commute Seattle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Commute Seattle M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Commute Seattle
What does Commute Seattle do?
Commute Seattle is a nonprofit Transportation Management Association that provides free consulting services to Seattle-area employers and property managers. Its core offerings include facilitating employer-sponsored ORCA Business transit programs (Business Passport and Business Choice), assisting businesses with Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) and Commuter Benefit Ordinance compliance, supporting telework/Flexwork policy design, and running educational programming such as Commute University webinars and community events.
Is Commute Seattle a public or private company?
Commute Seattle is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Commute Seattle founded?
Commute Seattle was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Commute Seattle based?
Commute Seattle is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Commute Seattle make money?
One revenue line is on record: government/Public Funding.
Who are Commute Seattle's main competitors?
Steer is listed as a broad incumbent. Best Workplaces for Commuters is listed as an others. Direct peers are Commute.org and goDCgo. Regional players are Downtown on the Go, Connect Bellevue and Move Redmond. RideAmigos is listed as an emerging player.
Does Commute Seattle have an API?
No public API is recorded for Commute Seattle.
What industry is Commute Seattle in?
Commute Seattle's product category is Transportation Demand Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAIAGAI, Corporate & Employee On-Demand Ride Programs (Managed Mobility). Its NAICS code is 485 and its SIC code is 4700.