Informational Webinar July 29, 2014

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Informational Webinar July 29, 2014"

Transcription

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:

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 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 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: then go to: Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program Employer ID # needed to register: If you need ID #, contact commuterbenefits@511.org or Michelle Mah, Help Line Specialist, PH: 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: or Michelle Mah, Help Line Specialist PH: