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Transportation 101. February 18, 2009. Introducing…. CommuteInfo. a better way to work. History. The Southwestern PA Commission has promoted ridesharing and alternative commuting options for almost 30 years
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Transportation 101 February 18, 2009
Introducing… CommuteInfo a better way to work
History • The Southwestern PA Commission has promoted ridesharing and alternative commuting options for almost 30 years • Ridesharing efforts have intensified during two oil crises, two Port Authority strikes and major highway projects
Mission CommuteInfo is dedicated to increasing the number of commuters in Southwestern Pennsylvania sharing a ride to work or school. • Transit • Vanpools • Carpools • Biking • Walking
Allegheny Armstrong Beaver Butler Greene Fayette Indiana Lawrence Washington Westmoreland
Regional Commuters Workers Commuting to Jobs Outside their Resident Municipality: Allegheny 417,598 Armstrong 25,961 Beaver 70,135 Butler 66,370 Fayette 48,826 Greene 11,975 Indiana 27,939 Lawrence 29,992 Washington 75,025 Westmoreland 135,654 Total 909,475 2000 US Census Data
Working Together • Airport Corridor Transportation Management Association • Brooke, Hancock, Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Organization • Oakland Transportation Management Association • PennDOT • Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership • Regional Transit Operators • Southwestern PA Commission • Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board • University of Pittsburgh
Commuting Options Not a one size fits all… we are helping commuters to make educated choice(s), to choose the option(s) which works best for them • Building Awareness • Educating • Promoting Choices
Transit Information & Referral Kelly’s Story “I had been commuting into downtown Pittsburgh for my job for over one year. I knew the 1-1/4 hour drive was frustrating, but it was also costing me a lot of money - $2860 a year, just in parking!”
Vanpools Currently, CommuteInfo sponsors 45 vanpools in the region, carrying over 1,108 passengers each day.
Carpools • Great introduction to ridesharing • Only need 2 people • Can use the HOV lanes • Allows for flexibility
Biking and Walking • Option for some • End of commute for everyone (walking) • Promote healthier lifestyles
Role of Technology • Ridematching service accessible 24-hours a day through program website • User-defined matching criteria • Receive match lists, transit and ridesharing information via email, regular mail or fax
#1 Commuter Benefit - $$$$$ • Driving alone costs me how much? • If you had a 30-mile round-trip commute • at 52 cents per mile: • Your daily commute cost would be $15.60 • Your monthly commute cost would be $327.60 • Your annual commute cost would be $3,931.20 • This does not even include the cost of parking and tolls! • American Automobile Association
Compare Annual Average Costs • Based on a 30-mile • round-trip commute Driving Alone $3,931 • Vanpool $1,200 • A $2,731 savings!! • Transit $ 990 • (Port Authority - Zone 2) • A $2,941 savings!!
And another Special CommuteInfo Benefit for Vanpool, Carpool and Bikepool Participants Emergency Ride Home
Employer Benefits • Save money through Commuter Choice, pre-tax benefits • Employees arrive on time • Allow for customer & visitor parking
Commuter Choice What are the Commuter Choice Tax Incentives? • Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits - purchased by employer and offered to employee free or subsidized • Transit or vanpool passes or vouchers (up to $120 per month) • Bicycling expenses (up to $20 per month) • Qualified parking spaces in conjunction with transit use (up to $220 per month) • Tax free to employees & tax deduction to employers Why do employers choose to provide these benefits? • Reduce traffic congestion, reduce need for parking • Improve air quality, conserve energy • Save money for employer & employee • Low cost compared to other benefits • Attract and retain qualified workforce
Our Services Include • RideMatching Reports • Information and Referral • Park and Ride Lot Information • Community/Organizational Speaker • Travel Training • Transportation Information Table (Commute Options Awareness Event) • Individualized Employer Transportation Needs Assessment • Employer Relocation Assistance (commuting alternatives)
How You Can Be More Involved • Bi-monthly Regional Partner Meetings • Committees – Marketing, Programs & Evaluation, Development • Advisory Councils – Commuter and Employer • Subscribe to CommuteInfo quarterly e-newsletters (commuters & employers) Gfgdfgf Gfxd
Contact Information Website:www.CommuteInfo.org Email:commuteinfo@spcregion.org Toll-free Phone: 1-888-819-6110