The Chumash Casino is the most generous employer and provides free bus service to Santa Maria, Lompoc and the South Coast. The bus rides are mandatory for about 850 casino employees who otherwise would be taking up parking spaces for guests. That’s 77 percent of the casino’s work force of 1,100 who are not driving to work.

At Raytheon employees who use van pools or buses receive between $25 and $50 per month in subsidies depending on the distance they travel. Raytheon will also pay for up to two empty seats in a vanpool until they can be filled.

At Cottage Hospital, everyone who does not drive alone to work receives a benefit, said Ron Lafrican, the benefits manager. Only 15 percent of the hospitals staff of 2,500 live outside of Santa Barbara. Also, every month the hospital sells 150 MTD bus passes at half-price.

Cottage employees using the Clear Air Express get a 50 percent subsidy, or $58 per month. For vanpoolers, the hospital pays the cost of the lease for the first three months and 50 percent from then on. Three vanpools to Ventura and Lompoc now serve Cottage employees.