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Connie Ruth, EPA Best Workplaces for Commuters

The Advantages of Excellent Commuter Benefits Why your University or College Should Achieve the Best Workplaces for Commuters SM Designation. Connie Ruth, EPA Best Workplaces for Commuters. Provide a benefit that employees value Recruiting & retention. The Money Factor:

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Connie Ruth, EPA Best Workplaces for Commuters

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  1. The Advantages of Excellent Commuter Benefits Why your University or College Should Achieve the Best Workplaces for CommutersSM Designation Connie Ruth, EPA Best Workplaces for Commuters

  2. Provide a benefit that employees valueRecruiting & 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!

  3. Tax Infrastructure Favors Transit Subsidy over equivalent Salary Increase Real employer cost for $50 in: Salary IncreaseTransit Subsidy $62.40$30 Real employee benefit for $50 in Salary IncreaseTransit Subsidy $29$50

  4. Average Cost to build new parking space: • Parking garage: • $17,400 per space + $740/annual maintenance • Surface lot: • $1,500 per space + $420/annual maintenance

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Emory University Emory University found it cost effective to subsidize transit passes for employees rather than build a 1500 space parking garage at the cost of $15 million.

  10. 325% increase in vanpool ridership following the implementation of a transit subsidy for vanpools Number of Vanpools: 2002 Jan 2006Feb 2006 16 65 68 University of Michigan

  11. 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

  12. University of California Irvine Vanpool subsidy $62.50 Free bus passes (value $45) Incentives to use alternative modes

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. The Case for Commuter Benefits 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

  16. Best Workplaces for Commuters Campus Challenge Working with the Chronicle of Higher Education for List Release in May

  17. 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

  18. 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

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