Connie Ruth, EPA Best Workplaces for Commuters

The Advantages of Excellent Commuter Benefits

Why your University or College Should Achieve the

Best Workplaces for CommutersSM Designation

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Provide a benefit that employees value Recruiting & retention

The Money Factor: Transportation & Housing are 2 largest

expenses

The Time Factor: Commuters spend 47 high stress hours

delayed in traffic – up 187% from 1982 Average commute on a bad day: 46

minutes….and getting worse!

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Tax Infrastructure Favors Transit Subsidy over equivalent Salary Increase

Real employer cost for $50 in: Salary Increase Transit Subsidy

$62.40 $30

Real employee benefit for $50 inSalary Increase Transit Subsidy

$29 $50

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Parking garage: $17,400 per space +

$740/annual maintenance

Surface lot: $1,500 per space +

$420/annual maintenance

Average Cost to build new parking space:

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Commuter benefits = Reduced parking demand for less $

Subsidizing 60

commuters at average of $30 a month costs less that building ONE parking space in a garage and maintaining it for a year.

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The National Standard of Excellence

One primary benefit - typically a transit subsidy of $30 or more

Three or more supporting benefits - wide choice available

Access to emergency ride home – safety net Centralized commuter benefit information- website

best 14% participation within 18 months of application Brief annual update on program

An outstanding commuter benefits package

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Best Workplaces for CommutersSM

More than 3 million commuters covered Nationwide 1500 Best Workplaces for

Commuters employers

3 billion vehicle miles traveled reduced in 2005

Sep 2001 – Sep 2005 :

4,440 tons N0x avoided 3.19 Million Metric tons CO2 avoided 372.3 million gallons gasoline saved $686 million in gasoline dollars saved

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Grand Valley State University

Primary Benefit $35 transit subsidy

Supporting Benefits Include Shuttle from transit stop Secure bike parking, & showers Rideshare matching On-site amenities

Guaranteed ride home provided

by the Rapids

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Emory University

Emory University found it costeffective to subsidize transit passesfor employees rather than build a1500 space parking garage at thecost of $15 million.

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University of Michigan325% increase in vanpool ridership following the implementation of a transit subsidy for vanpoolsNumber of Vanpools:2002 Jan 2006 Feb 2006

16 65 68

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Virginia Tech Employees ride Blacksburg

Transit fare free Emergency Ride home Reduced permit cost for

carpools and vanpools Rideshare matching Preferred parking for

carpools and vanpools

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University of California Irvine

Vanpool subsidy $62.50

Free bus passes

(value $45)

Incentives to use

alternative modes

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University of Washington Signs binding agreement with Seattle

to cap traffic to campus Gradually increases parking rates U-PASS provides unlimited rides in 2 counties Results in 5% reduction in traffic in 1990s with

7% population growth.

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Ridership increases after free transit offered at University of Vermont

Transit ridership at the University of Vermont has increased 10 fold from inception of free transit.

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Makes great business sense:- Saves university money through

reduced parking demand- Enhances recruitment and retention- Provides cost effective benefit

Demonstrates Environmental Leadership:- Contributes to Better Quality of Life

- Reduces congestion- Reduces air pollution - Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

The Case for Commuter Benefits

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Best Workplaces for Commuters Campus Challenge

Working with the Chronicle of Higher Education for List Release in May

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Perks of participation:

Guaranteed spot on the National Best Workplaces for CommutersSM list.

Positive press coverage

Exclusive rights to use logo/designation

Networking opportunities

Technical assistance

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To learn more about getting on the list of Best Workplaces for CommutersSM:

Visit www.bwc.gov

Connie Ruth 734-214-4815

Email bwc@epa.gov

or

ruth.connie@epa.gov