Informational Webinar

July 29, 2014

David Burch & Jackie WinkelBay Area Air Quality Management District

Christine Maley-GrublMetropolitan Transportation Commission

Linda Furnas511 Regional Rideshare Program

Background

• Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program now in effect

– New Regulation 14, Rule 1 serves as foundation for Program

– Adopted by Air District Board & ratified by MTC Commission in March 2014

• Developed pursuant to Senate Bill 1339

• Modeled on local ordinances in several Bay Area cities

• Employers must comply by offering one of four commuter benefit options by September 30

• Pilot program: 2014 - 2016

Goals & Anticipated Outcomes

• Take advantage of federal commuter tax benefits that provide tax savings to employers & employees

– Employers save $$ on payroll taxes

– Employees save $$ on transit/vanpool fares

• Expand the number of employers that make

commuter benefits available to their employees

• Improve air quality & protect the climate

• Reduce traffic congestion

Who Needs to Comply?

• Employers with 50+ full-time employees in the Bay Area Private business

Public agency

Non-profit organization

• Count based on all Bay Area worksites combined Including branch locations with less

than 50 employees

10

20

25

Who Qualifies as an Employee?

• Employee: Anyone who receives a W-2 form for tax purposes

• Full-time employees: Employees who work at least 30 hours per week (excluding seasonal/temporary and field employees).

• Covered employees: Employees must offer the commuter benefit to all “covered employees” who work at least 20 hours per week.

Seasonal/Temporary & Field Employees

Exemptions:

• Seasonal/temporary employees: employees who work 120 days per year or less are exempt from the employee definition

• Field employees: employees who do not report to a permanent worksite are also exempt (per 6/12/14 Compliance Advisory)

When these exemptions are applied for the purpose of counting the number of full-time employees, some employers may not be subject to the rule.

Implementation Objectives

• Maximize flexibility for employers:

– provide commuter benefits that make sense for your business & your employees

• Minimize reporting & administrative requirements

• Provide information & resources to help employers understand & comply with Program requirements

Program Requirements

Key Requirements (by September 30, 2014):

• Select one of the four commuter benefit options

• Designate a commuter benefits coordinator

• Register online: 511.org, click on Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

• Notify employees & make commuter benefit available

• Provide information needed for Program evaluation

• There are no performance standards

Four Commuter Benefit Options

• Option 1: Pre-tax payroll deduction for transit or vanpool

– Up to maximum allowed by IRS (currently $130 per month)

– Employers save $ on payroll taxes

– Employees save $ on transit/vanpool fares

• Option 2: Direct subsidy for transit or vanpool (or transit pass)

– Maximum subsidy required is $75 per month

• Option 3: Employer-provided transportation

– Bus, shuttle, vanpool

• Option 4: Alternative commuter benefit

Option 4: Alternative Commuter Benefit

• Good option in areas with limited transit service

• Provides flexibility & choices for employers

• Promote alternative commute modes such as carpooling, bicycling, walking

• Alternative must be as effective as Options 1-3

• Employer can propose an alternative benefit

• Or employer can select from menu of measures

Option 4: Menu of Measures

Primary Measures Carpool Subsidy ($3/day)

Bicycle Subsidy ($20/month)

Telework Program

Compressed Work-Week

Parking Cash-Out

Electric Vehicle Implementation

Option 4A: Choose one primary & two secondary measuresOption 4B: Choose four secondary measures

Secondary Measures Employer-specific carpool match service (free)

Emergency Ride Home program (free)

Preferred parking for carpools

Secure, on-site bicycle parking

Showers/lockers for bicyclists/walkers

Employer-sponsored Bike Share Program

Employee commuting “awards” program

On-site amenity (cafe, ATM, childcare, etc.)

Provide real-time commuting info

Lunchtime shuttle

Registration process

• On-line registration process: www.511.orgthen go to: Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

• Employer ID # needed to register: If you need ID #, contact commuterbenefits@511.org or Michelle Mau, Help Line Specialist, PH: 510-273-3680

• Report via registration form:

• Bay area worksite locations

• Employee count

• Commuter benefit option selected

• How employees will be notified

Program Landing Page on

Employer Assistance Available

• Employer assistance through 511 webpage Employer Guide / Option 4 Guide Frequently Asked Questions Profiles of Employer programs Video with Program overview

• Phone Help Line for employers - Call 511

• Free employer assistance available in each County: Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara, and Sonoma Counties – 511 Regional Rideshare

Program Contra Costa County – 511 Contra Costa San Mateo County – Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance San Francisco County – San Francisco Department of the Environment Solano and Napa County – Solano/Napa Commuter Information

Employer Assistance Available

• 511 Transportation Professionals are available to help you implement the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

• Employer commute program development and design– Customizable on-line surveys & survey reports

– Help in evaluating commuter benefit options

• Density mapping (where do your employees live?)

• Vanpool formation

• Carpool and Green Commute incentives

• Telework and Compressed Work Week information

Overview

• Commuter Benefit Program is good for the economy & environment

• Reduce taxes for both employer & employees

• Recruit & retain good employees

• Increase use of transit, ridesharing, biking, walking

• Reduce traffic congestion

• Improve air quality and protect the climate

• Deadline to comply – September 30

Go to 511.org, click on

Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

Contact:

commuterbenefits@511.org

or

Michelle Mah, Help Line Specialist

PH: 510-273-3680

For Additional Information