1. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
David Burch, Principal Planner
Bay Area Air Quality Management District

2. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Overview
Key provisions of Senate Bill 1339
Basic requirements
Benefits of program
Process and timeline
Your feedback and questions
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

3. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
The Air District & MTC
Bay Area AQMD: Regional air quality agency
Jurisdiction spanning 9 Bay Area counties
Stationary source permitting and regulations
Incentive programs to reduce vehicular emissions
Local and regional agency collaboration
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC): Regional transportation planning agency
Jurisdiction spanning 9 Bay Area counties
Transportation planning, coordinating and financing
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

4. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Key Provisions
Senate Bill 1339 signed by Governor in fall 2012
Authorizes Air District & MTC to jointly adopt a regional commuter benefits ordinance
Applies to employers with 50+ employees in Bay Area
Report to Legislature due by July 2016
Pilot program:
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

5. Four Commuter Benefit Options
Option 1: Employees can use pre-tax $$ for transit, vanpool, bicycle costs. Up to $245/month tax-free for transit/vanpool
Option 2: Employer directly subsidizes transit or vanpool cost
Option 3: Employer provides bus, shuttle, or vanpool service for employees
Option 4: Alternative benefit
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

6. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Alternative Benefit
Must be as effective as basic options in reducing drive-alone commute trips
Employer proposes benefit
Agencies evaluate and approve
Guidelines for this option will be provided
Identify “pre-approved” alternatives?
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

7. Potential Program Requirements
Select one of the commute benefit options
Register with Air District/MTC
Notify employees & make benefit available
Maintain records to document implementation
Report to Air District/MTC
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

8. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
We Want Your Input
How can we make this work for you?
What challenges do you foresee?
What information or assistance will you need?
How should registration & reporting process work?
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

9. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
For more information
To get on mailing list or submit comments, contact:
In coming months, info will be posted on
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

10. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Extra Slides
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

11. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Objectives
Achieve high employer participation rate
Maximize reduction in commute trips & emissions
Streamline Program administration
Cultivate productive partnership
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

12. Existing Programs & Services
Many Bay Area employers already offer programs to promote commute alternatives
MTC’s 511.org rideshare & employer services
County-level programs to reduce commute trips
Air District’s Spare the Air Employer Program
Local commuter benefit ordinances in 3 cities: - require employers to offer pre-tax benefits
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

13. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Basic Approach
Engage with employers & stakeholders
Emphasize positive win/win outcomes
Build on existing programs & efforts
Outreach & assistance for employers
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

14. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Who Will Benefit?
Employers
Employees
All Bay Area Residents
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

15. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Benefits to Employers
Reduced payroll taxes (Option 1) - Social Security & Medicare (FICA) - Net savings up to $190 per employee/year
Employee recruitment & retention
Improved employee productivity (less commute stress)
Improved goods movement (less traffic)
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

16. Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
Benefits to Employees
Employees who already use transit or vanpool
Employees who switch to transit or vanpool
Real cost is reduced 24%-47% - can save up to $1380/ year
Less time stuck in traffic
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

17. Benefits to all Bay Area residents
Better air quality - improved public health - reduced health care costs
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions - help achieve GHG reduction targets - protect the climate
Reduced traffic congestion - less commute stress, less time wasted
Economy: more $$ stay in the Bay Area
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program

18. Process & Draft Timeline
Task
Time Frame
Seek initial input from employers & stakeholders
March → May
Release draft Program proposal
Conduct workshops to receive comment
July/August
Release proposed Program:
- Requirements & Procedures - CEQA analysis
- Socio-Economic Analysis
October
Public Hearing/Meeting to adopt Program
Air District Board
MTC Commission
November / December
Employers will have 6 months to implement program
Sample Text
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Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program