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Webinar Replay - Sharing the Big Picture on Transit in Metro Atlanta
- 1. Sharing the Big Picture on Transit in Metro Atlanta Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Presented by
- 2. Pump Pain: Volatility Wreaks Havoc on Household Budgets
- 3. Agenda Ryan Ellis, Atlanta Regional Commission Lauren Travis, GRTA Tameka Wimberly/Monique Forte, MARTA Jean Aaron, Cobb Community Transit Rae George, Gwinnett County Transit • State of Transit in Metro Atlanta • Transit Operator Presentations • Supporting Transit Ridership • Leveraging Pre-Tax Benefits • Taking Part in “Dump the Pump” Tedra Cheatham, The Clean Air Campaign Kenyon Thweatt, The Clean Air Campaign Brian Carr, The Clean Air Campaign • Questions
- 4. The State of Regional Transit Ryan Ellis Atlanta Regional Commission
- 5. Transit in Metro Atlanta
- 6. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 7. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 8. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 9. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 10. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 11. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 12. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 13. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 14. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 15. Transit in Metro AtlantaTransitinMetroAtlanta
- 16. Transit Facts: Shuttles Provide “First/Last Mile” Connectivity
- 17. Near-Term Technology to Support Transit
- 18. GRTA Xpress Lauren Travis Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
- 19. About the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Xpress Commuter Coach Provides a Comfortable, Affordable, Stress-free Commute During Peak Travel Times • 33 Routes served by 175 coaches • 30 Park and Ride lots in 12 metro Atlanta counties • Draws ridership from nearly 40 counties • Bulk pass sales • Single trips start at $3 with multi-ride discounts available • Free transfers to MARTA
- 20. Where GRTA Can Take Commuters Xpress serves major employers in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta
- 21. New Initiatives Underway at GRTA Building outreach capacity • New staff • Renewed focus on business outreach Contact information Lauren Travis 404-463-3052 ltravis@grta.org www.XpressGa.com
- 22. MARTA Tameka Wimberly/Monique Forte Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
- 23. About the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority • MARTA Act created in 1965; rail service began in 1979 • Operates within Fulton and DeKalb Counties and the City of Atlanta • As of December 2012: Mission Statement “…strengthen communities, advance economic competitiveness and respect the environment by providing a safe and customer-focused regional transit system.” Technology Length Fleet Size Daily Passengers Heavy Rail 48 miles 318 rail cars 174,385 Bus 1,765 miles 531 buses, 187 mobility vans 178,901
- 24. Where MARTA Can Take Commuters Downtown Bus Network too extensive to display in its entirety Rail Network Map
- 25. New Initiatives Underway at MARTA • Designed a safety application, ‘See & Say’ • Available on iPhone and Android platforms for our transit riders Transit Projects Underway Technology Developments Project Proposed Area of Expansion I-20 East Proposed Heavy Rail and BRT transit from Stonecrest area in DeKalb County to Downtown Atlanta Clifton Corridor Proposed Light Rail from Lindbergh into Emory Area GA 400 Proposed High Capacity transit from North Springs to Windward Parkway
- 26. CCT Jean Aaron Cobb Community Transit
- 27. About Cobb Community Transit Number One Public Transportation Option Throughout Cobb County with Connections to Downtown & Southwest Atlanta • Local Fixed Routes • Express Service • Eight (8) Park & Ride Lots • Paratransit services CCT strives to provide a transit network that is convenient, accessible, customer-focused, safe, reliable and efficient.
- 28. Where CCT Can Take Commuters
- 29. Increasing Mobility Choices for Everyone Cobb County and the cities of Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna have launched the five-year Cobb County 2030 Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) update, which will include strategies and recommendations through the year 2040
- 30. GCT Rae George Gwinnett County Transit
- 31. About Gwinnett County Transit • Gwinnett County Transit (GCT) provides express, local, and paratransit. • Express bus service operates Monday through Friday and includes six routes using the HOT lane on I-85. Park and ride lots are located at I- 985, Sugarloaf Mills (Discover Mills), and Indian Trail providing free and convenient parking for bus riders. • Local bus service operates five routes Monday through Friday and Route 10 on Saturday connecting neighborhoods and businesses to Gwinnett County's many cultural, shopping and educational opportunities. Three GCT local routes connect to the Doraville MARTA train station which provides transportation directly to Downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield Jackson Airport. GCT Customer Service Office M-F 6am to 8pm and Sat 7am to 8pm (770) 822-5010 www.gctransit.com www.twitter.com/gctransit www.facebook.com/GwinnettCountyTransit
- 32. Where GCT Can Take Commuters GCT Express buses originate from three Park & Ride locations; I-985, Sugarloaf Mills, and Indian Trail. All buses run the same route in Downtown Atlanta servicing all of the major employment hubs and MARTA stations.GCT Express buses originate from three Park & Ride locations; I-985, Sugarloaf Mills, and Indian Trail. All buses run the same route in Downtown Atlanta servicing all of the major employment hubs and MARTA stations.
- 33. Where GCT Can Take Commuters: Local Service Local bus service operates five routes Monday through Friday and Route 10 on Saturday connecting neighborhoods and businesses to Gwinnett County's many cultural, shopping and educational opportunities. Three GCT local routes connect to the Doraville MARTA train station which provides transportation directly to Downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield Jackson Airport.
- 34. New Initiatives Underway at GCT Real-Time Travel Solutions: • Website displaying all GCT buses in real time along GCT’s service maps – Allows customers to zoom in and select a stop along the route to see the next three departure times • Alerts via Email and SMS can be set for real-time information • Buses will be equipped with LCD screens displaying current locations, in addition to, real time arrivals for the next three stops • GCT is introducing a Mobile App providing real-time information and alerts
- 35. New Initiatives Underway at GCT Corporate Connections Program Corporate Connections is a cooperative program between a sponsoring employer and Gwinnett County Transit. Joining the program offers employers and employees tax benefits and gives employees an attractive option to fighting rush-hour traffic. Passes are sent directly to your transit benefit manager monthly. Contact: Rae George Sraeya.George@veoliatransportation.com 678-417-5966
- 36. GCT Fares GCT Fares Local Service Express Zone 1 Express Zone 2 Cash Fare, One Way $2.50 $3.75 $5.00 10-Ride Ticket book $22.50 $32.50 $45.00 Monthly Pass $80.00 $130.00 $180.00
- 38. Making the Business Case for Workplaces to Support Transit Tedra Cheatham The Clean Air Campaign
- 39. Creates “Built-In” Opportunities for Employees to Get More Exercise 6:30a 7:30a 8:00a 12:00p 1:00p 5:00p 5:30p What role do active commuting options play in your workplace wellness program?
- 40. Free Resources Can Help Employees Ride Transit More than 1,600 workplaces have established Georgia Commute Options programs: • Incentives to make the switch from driving alone − $3 a Day – up to $100 − $25 Prizes for continuing to use commute options • Guaranteed Ride Home − Register to receive up to 5 free rides home from work so your employees are never stranded • Special Recognition − Awards for long-term commitment to using commute options
- 41. How to Reduce Payroll Taxes by Supporting Employee Transit Ridership Kenyon Thweatt The Clean Air Campaign
- 42. How Workplaces Can Leverage Pre-Tax Benefits for Transit Riders Section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code Federal Employers – Mass Transit Incentive Program (Ref - Executive Order 13150)
- 43. Who Benefits? • Employer – Program Flexibility – Tax Deductions / Reduction in Payroll Taxes – Employee Recruitment and Retention – Enhances employer image in the community • Employee – Reduction in “out of pocket” commute expenses – Tax Savings – All the benefits of Clean Commute • Reduced stress • Vehicle wear & tear • Insurance costs • Environmental impact • Georgia – Reduced Traffic Congestion – Improved Air Quality
- 44. Employer Benefits Flexibility – May deduct employee commute costs tax free (up to allowed amount) – May subsidize employee commute costs. – May use a combination of payroll deduction and subsidy – Benefits are exempt from anti-discriminatory requirements • May offer to some or all employees • May vary amount among employees • May offer monthly or once per year Tax Deductions / Reduction in Payroll Taxes Qualified transportation fringe benefits under 26 U.S. Code Section 132(f) – Tax‐free benefit for qualified transit up to $245 per month (effective Jan 1, 2013) – Parking also tax‐free up to $245 per month (effective Jan 1, 2013) NOTE: A tax deduction - NOT a tax credit.
- 45. Employee Benefits • Tax Savings – Federal income tax – State income tax – Federal payroll tax (FICA) • Reduced Commute Costs – Employees can use $245 BEFORE taxes to pay for transit costs. – More $$$ in pocket
- 46. Contact Info Rae George Sraeya.George@veoliatransportation.com 678-417-5966 Billy Hines bhines@grta.org 404-463-3091 MARTA Partnership Program partner@itsmarta.com 404-848-5057 Transit Pass Sales: For More Info on Commuter Choice: Kenyon Thweatt rkthweatt@cleanaircampaign.org 678-244-7723 Customer Service 770-427-4444
- 47. Getting Your Workplace Involved in “Dump the Pump” Brian Carr The Clean Air Campaign
- 48. What Can Workplaces Do to Support “Dump the Pump?” 1. Invite employees to take the pledge to ride transit at least once between now and Friday, 6/21 – www.GaCommuteOptions.com/DumpThePump – Chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card 2. Remind your workplace about services + support for transit available through Georgia Commute Options – Guaranteed Ride Home – Earn $3 a Day (up to $100) to switch from driving alone – Win $25 Prizes for logging commute trips – Special recognition for long-term commitment to using commute options – Ongoing educational events and news updates
- 49. What Can Workplaces Do to Support “Dump the Pump?” www.GaCommuteOptions.com/DumpThePump • “Cut and Paste” Articles • Infographics • Ready-made posts for social media bcarr@cleanaircampaign.org 678-244-7709
- 50. Questions?
- 51. Thank You for Participating Slides and web video replay from this webinar will be available at: www.GaCommuteOptions.com/Employer-Services/Employer-Program-Education-Series
Editor's Notes
- Tedra welcomes attendees and conveys how multiple organizations work together to create and support the total transit network.Note that all webinar attendees have their phones muted. You can communicate with the moderator via the chat window that appears on the GoToMeeting toolbar. Slides and a web video replay from today’s webinar will be posted to GaCommuteOptions.com.
- We spend a lot of time looking at gas prices as a motivator to get people to choose commute options. What we have found is that the shock of $4 a gallon gas from 2008 was in some ways an anomaly because the price increased so rapidly but then decreased. Looking back at the past four years, though, it is clear that gas prices have been volatile, which makes it hard to plan a household budget amid all the swings. In all, the cost of a gallon of gas in the Atlanta region has nearly doubled over the past four years. That makes our job even more important to help commuters get relief from the high cost of gas. And one way we’re acting on this is by supporting the Dump the Pump event next week that encourages commuters to try transit in order to redirect more of their hard-earned money toward the things they enjoy more than paying for gas.
- Transit in this region is supported through many partnerships among state, regional and county authorities, non-profits such as The Clean Air Campaign, local transportation management associations and workplaces that understand the benefits of setting up shop in proximity to transit access points. This afternoon we will hear from many of these partners to help illustrate the big picture about transit in metro Atlanta and how these partners contribute to the total transit network, which is bigger than many people realize. You’ll also find out more about the business case for why workplaces should support transit ridership among employees and how to create activity with the arrival of next week’s Dump the Pump event.Right after the transit operators finish giving their presentations, we will be happy to take some questions from you and direct those questions to the relevant presenter. You can type your questions into the chat field that you see on the GoToMeeting toolbar on your screen. We will also hold open about 10 minutes at the very end for questions.
- [Tedra introduces Ryan and gives brief bio on Ryan]We’ll hear first about a regional perspective on transit and connectivity from the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Ryan Ellis. Ryan serves as a Principal Program Specialist with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), working in the area of Traffic and Demand Management (TDM). Ryan’s work centers on the implementation of tripl reduction programs in the Atlanta region, an effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve regional air quality. Celebrating his sixth year in TDM, Ryan has previously served as Project Manager with the URS Corporation’s TDM practice, working with The Clean Air Campaign to provide employer and commuter based outreach services in the state of Georgia. Additionally, he has also worked for IBM and MarketSource LLC. Welcome, Ryan.
- Thanks, Ryan. With that overview as the backdrop, we’ll hear next from representatives with the region’s transit operators about where their service can take you and new developments in the pipeline. First we will hear from Lauren Travis,Marketing Specialist for the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA). Lauren oversees the comprehensive marketing strategy for GRTA’s Xpress commuter coach service and is responsible for engaging and educating Atlanta area businesses in Xpress services. Prior to joining GRTA, Lauren managed the Department of Natural Resources’ Sustainability Division, including the Division’s flagship Partnership for a Sustainable Georgia program. Lauren also served four years as a Policy Advisor for Governor Sonny Perdue. In that position, she advised the Governor and advanced his legislative and policy agenda for energy, environment, transportation, and economic development. Glad to have you, Lauren.
- GRTA is a state agency that runs the Xpress Commuter Coach ServiceOur service brings commuters in from our Park-and-Ride lots located in Atlanta’s suburbs and delivers them to major employment centers. Our service runs Monday-Friday during peak travel times and our trips start at $3, however, multi-trip passes are available at a reduced rate. We are proud to say that by providing a convenient, reliable, enjoyable commute at an affordable price we are able to operate with a 91% customer satisfaction rate.
- These are 2 maps highlighting many of Xpress’ drop off locations. As you can see, Xpress has numerous stops in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta that serve many employers including: SunTrust, AT&T, Southern Company, Georgia Pacific, State Capitol and three Federal CentersIn addition to our Downtown and Midtown stops, some Xpress routes also provide additional stops in Buckhead and Perimeter Center
- Under the leadership of our Executive Director, Jannine Miller, GRTA has a renewed focus on working directly with businesses to support Xpress service. We would love to support your efforts to increase transit use within your company. Many resources can be found our website, XpressGa.com, however, please contact me if you would like to discuss any of your company’s specific needs whether it be questions about the service, how to set up bulk pass sales, or educational materials for your employees.
- Thank you, Lauren. Joining us today from MARTA is TamekaWimberly, Senior Regional Planner. A Macon, Georgia native, Tameka received both her Bachelor’s in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and Master’s in City Planning Degrees from Georgia Tech. She beganher career in Los Angeles as a Regional Planning Assistant with the County of Los Angeles. And spent 5 years with the City of Los Angeles DOT as a transportation planner. She worked as a project manager with the DASH bus program operated by LADOT. After returning to Atlanta, Tameka worked with the City of Atlanta as a Senior Planner involved in zoning, land use, enterprise zones and annexations. At MARTA she manages projects for transit feasibility studies, budgeting, and invoicing. Also with us is Monique Forte, Service Planner III for MARTA. Monique has 7 years of experience in the transit industry and currently monitors the bus service and provides analysis for MARTA’s bus system. She also creates short-range plans for implementation of new or modified routes like developing a comprehensive analysis of the bus service to project potential transit expansion opportunities within the Metro Atlanta area.Welcome, Tameka and Monique.
- Thanks, Tameka and Monique.We’re going to hear next from Jean Aaron with Cobb Community Transit about service that connects Cobb County to other areas in the region. Jean Aaron is Community Outreach Coordinator for Cobb Community Transit and is responsible for marketing and promoting CCT. She also works with Cobb County Mobility Management programs and provides transit orientationtraining and assists Cobb community with identifying and developing alternative transportation services and resources.Welcome, Jean.
- Thanks, Jean. Now we’ll jump over to the other side of the region and hear from Rae George with Gwinnett County Transit about the services available to commuters from GCT. Rae is the Marketing and Customer Relations Manager with Gwinnett County Transit. She has been working in the transit industry for the past 7 years, with 3 years of service at GCT, managing outreach activities to attract riders and overseeing the customer relations department.Welcome, Rae.
- Thanks to all of our transit agency partners for your presentations and insight into the region’s transit network. We’ll take a moment here for any questions before we go into the next segment of our webinar. You can type your questions into the chat field that you see on the GoToMeeting toolbar on your screen. We will also hold open about 10 minutes at the very end for questions.
- We hope the info from the transit operators has helped illuminate the big picture about where metro Atlanta’s transit network can take you and your employees. We’ll spend a few minutes now on the business case for supporting transit at your workplace.
- Transit offers built-in opportunities for employees to incorporate more exercise into their day. Did you know that the average American worker burns 100 fewer calories at work than we did 30 years ago? Consider how much time your workforce might spend sitting down in a given day. Your employees trade in their chair at the breakfast table for a seat in their car. Then they might sit at a desk at work and go to a food court and sit for lunch. And the routine continues in the afternoon. Having transit as part of their routine can create more walking trips between a transit station and your workplace. One great example of a wellness story that we tell often is that of Lois Fletcher, a commuter who lost 30 pounds when she made the switch from driving alone and began walking a total of 2 miles per day roundtrip between a MARTA station and her office. Aligning active commuting options with your workplace wellness program can have a positive impact on the health of your workforce.
- Beyond the health benefits associated with transit ridership, there is a whole network of resources through the Georgia Commute Options program that helps support employees who ride transit, from incentives to the Guaranteed Ride Home program and more. These programs and services are free for metro Atlanta employers and you can learn more about each of them at www.GaCommuteOptions.com.
- Tedra introduces Kenyon and gives bio info on KenyonNow that we have looked at some of the front-end benefits for transit commuters, let’s take a closer look at a special program that you can use at your workplace to help reduce payroll taxes, directly related to transit ridership among employees. We’ll hear from Kenyon Thweatt, Senior Employer Program Manager at The Clean Air Campaign. Kenyon joined The Clean Air Campaign in 2008 as a consultant and later became a staff member, working with employers and organizations in the areas of diesel idle reduction, employee-operated vanpools, and commute options tax incentives. He also serves as the organization's liaison to Georgia's military installations and the Georgia Military Affairs Coordinating Committee. Prior to coming to The Clean Air Campaign, Kenyon spent 20 years in sales and marketing with a diverse group of organizations in a variety of industries.Welcome, Kenyon.
- Kenyon discusses the slide and explains that there are various POC’s just a phone call or e-mail away to help workplaces get started.
- Thanks, Kenyon.So, how can you put all of this information together and use it to communicate with your employees and tenants? We’ve done a lot of the legwork to make it easy for you to spread the word about Dump the Pump. Here to tell you more is Brian Carr, Director of Communications with The Clean Air Campaign. Brian came on board in 2008 to oversee the advertising and public relations activities we do to help inform commuters, employers and property managers about Georgia Commute Options programs. His background is in advertising and corporate communications, with experience working with clients ranging from Citigroup to Cingular Wireless.Welcome, Brian.
- Thanks, Brian. And thanks to all of our presenters this afternoon for some great info that helps paint the big picture on metro Atlanta’s total transportation network. We’ll be happy to take any questions from our webinar participants. You can type your questions into the chat field that you see on the GoToMeeting toolbar on your screen.
- Tedra thanks attendees and encourages participation in DTP.Slides and a web video replay from today’s webinar will be posted to GaCommuteOptions.com.