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
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
Editor's Notes
- Report to Legislature due by July 2016
Use registration form to report even if you have fewer than 50 employees
Use registration form to report even if you have fewer than 50 employees
Review key definitions to determine whether the rule applies to your company
If the rule does apply to you… take advantage of free assistance