Connie Ruth, EPA Best Workplaces for Commuters
The Advantages of Excellent Commuter Benefits
Why your University or College Should Achieve the
Best Workplaces for CommutersSM Designation
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Provide a benefit that employees value Recruiting & retention
The Money Factor: Transportation & Housing are 2 largest
expenses
The Time Factor: Commuters spend 47 high stress hours
delayed in traffic – up 187% from 1982 Average commute on a bad day: 46
minutes….and getting worse!
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Tax Infrastructure Favors Transit Subsidy over equivalent Salary Increase
Real employer cost for $50 in: Salary Increase Transit Subsidy
$62.40 $30
Real employee benefit for $50 inSalary Increase Transit Subsidy
$29 $50
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Parking garage: $17,400 per space +
$740/annual maintenance
Surface lot: $1,500 per space +
$420/annual maintenance
Average Cost to build new parking space:
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Commuter benefits = Reduced parking demand for less $
Subsidizing 60
commuters at average of $30 a month costs less that building ONE parking space in a garage and maintaining it for a year.
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The National Standard of Excellence
One primary benefit - typically a transit subsidy of $30 or more
Three or more supporting benefits - wide choice available
Access to emergency ride home – safety net Centralized commuter benefit information- website
best 14% participation within 18 months of application Brief annual update on program
An outstanding commuter benefits package
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Best Workplaces for CommutersSM
More than 3 million commuters covered Nationwide 1500 Best Workplaces for
Commuters employers
3 billion vehicle miles traveled reduced in 2005
Sep 2001 – Sep 2005 :
4,440 tons N0x avoided 3.19 Million Metric tons CO2 avoided 372.3 million gallons gasoline saved $686 million in gasoline dollars saved
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Grand Valley State University
Primary Benefit $35 transit subsidy
Supporting Benefits Include Shuttle from transit stop Secure bike parking, & showers Rideshare matching On-site amenities
Guaranteed ride home provided
by the Rapids
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Emory University
Emory University found it costeffective to subsidize transit passesfor employees rather than build a1500 space parking garage at thecost of $15 million.
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University of Michigan325% increase in vanpool ridership following the implementation of a transit subsidy for vanpoolsNumber of Vanpools:2002 Jan 2006 Feb 2006
16 65 68
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Virginia Tech Employees ride Blacksburg
Transit fare free Emergency Ride home Reduced permit cost for
carpools and vanpools Rideshare matching Preferred parking for
carpools and vanpools
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University of California Irvine
Vanpool subsidy $62.50
Free bus passes
(value $45)
Incentives to use
alternative modes
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University of Washington Signs binding agreement with Seattle
to cap traffic to campus Gradually increases parking rates U-PASS provides unlimited rides in 2 counties Results in 5% reduction in traffic in 1990s with
7% population growth.
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Ridership increases after free transit offered at University of Vermont
Transit ridership at the University of Vermont has increased 10 fold from inception of free transit.
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Makes great business sense:- Saves university money through
reduced parking demand- Enhances recruitment and retention- Provides cost effective benefit
Demonstrates Environmental Leadership:- Contributes to Better Quality of Life
- Reduces congestion- Reduces air pollution - Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
The Case for Commuter Benefits
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Best Workplaces for Commuters Campus Challenge
Working with the Chronicle of Higher Education for List Release in May
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Perks of participation:
Guaranteed spot on the National Best Workplaces for CommutersSM list.
Positive press coverage
Exclusive rights to use logo/designation
Networking opportunities
Technical assistance
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To learn more about getting on the list of Best Workplaces for CommutersSM:
Visit www.bwc.gov
Connie Ruth 734-214-4815
Email [email protected]
or