Learn how to register for the program and determine which option works best for your organization

1. Informational Webinar
July 29, 2014
David Burch & Jackie Winkel
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Christine Maley-Grubl
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Linda Furnas
511 Regional Rideshare Program

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Option 4: Menu of Measures
Option 4A: Choose one primary & two secondary measures
Option 4B: Choose four secondary measures
Primary Measures
 Carpool Subsidy ($3/day)
 Bicycle Subsidy
($20/month)
 Telework Program
 Compressed Work-Week
 Parking Cash-Out
 Electric Vehicle
Implementation
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

12. Registration process
• On-line registration process: www.511.org
then 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

13. Program Landing Page on

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. For Additional Information
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