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Published byKenneth Dorsey Modified over 9 years ago
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The New Bay Area Transit Benefits Regulation Contra Costa County Climate Leaders
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Average Commute in US: 15 miles.* *Bureau of Transportation Statistics
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The car that gets you to work emits 22 pounds of CO 2 per gallon.* *Average, US EPA
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This equates to roughly 20 pounds of CO 2 each way or 40 pounds round trip. …40 pounds adds up over time…
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One day: 40 lbs. of CO 2 not emitted One month: 920 lbs. One year: 11,040 lbs. Taking transit instead:
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One employee/year: 11,040 lbs. of CO 2 not emitted Five employees/year: 55,200 lbs. Fifty employees/year: 552,000 lbs.
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…Hence, SB 1339 Signed into law by Governor Brown on September 30 th, 2012 Requires Bay Area Employers to offer transit benefits to their employees. -- Company size: 50 or more employees (including part-timers and temps). -- Takes effect in 2013 -- BAAAQMD regulation -- Based on Successful SF Ordinance in place for 5 years.
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Transit Benefits… Valuable Benefit – 50% employees say impacted job decision 1 – 80% employers say it has a positive impact on recruiting and retaining employees 1 Contribute to Green Company Initiatives – 81% surveyed employers report a positive impact on carbon footprint 1 – Employers claim they increase mass transit ridership by 10-40% 2 Good for Business – Relatively easy to implement and offer employees – Administration and/or fees can be offset by tax savings – Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability are at all time highs 1. TCRP Report 87, 2003 2. The 2009 Commuter Impact Survey, TransitCenter
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Benefits to Employees Tax savings – Federal, State, FICA – Average savings between 30-40% Potential additional savings – Automotive costs, gasoline, wear and tear, total replacement Personal benefits – Reduced commute stress – Additional productivity – Reduced carbon footprint
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Benefits to Employers Payroll tax savings – FICA, WC, State & Local Taxes Supporting business initiatives – Parking issues – Help as recruiting and retention tool Green Employer Initiatives – Encourage use of mass transit; reducing carbon footprint – Goodwill and public recognition; traffic congestion
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Sample Tax Savings Assumptions: Participation Rate 20.00% Percentage participating earning below FICA wage base:100.00% COMMUTE COSTS Eligible EmployeesParticipantsMonthly DeductionAnnual Average 5,0001,000$100$1,200 PARTICIPANT SAVINGS Federal TaxStateFICA + MedicareAverage Savings 25.00%7.00%7.65%$476 EMPLOYER SAVINGS Pre-Tax DollarsFICAMedicareAnnual Savings $1,200,0006.20%1.45%$91,800 Using average fees as an example, the tax savings created is better than a 183% ROI on the amount it would cost to offer the benefit! STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3
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Program Goals & Objectives Help Employees with Commute Costs If every employer offers…everyone benefits! (even those not taking transit) Green Employer / Corporate Citizen Initiatives Align to Business Initiatives For both Transit and Vanpools
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Commuter Program Options: Two ways to set up transit/vanpool benefit: 1. Do it yourself Less than 100 employees You have one work site 2. Have someone else do it for you—Outsourcing to a third party administrator (TPA) Larger companies Multiple work sites Implementation ease
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Online programs for smaller employers Convenience Options Restrictions Card can contain pre-tax and post-tax purses Transit smartcards: Clipper in the Bay Area Cost Check on vanpool option Commuter Card
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Online Fulfillment Programs Convenience Options Ordering/ fulfillment/ distribution outsourced Communication/ enrollment via internet Customer Service Centralized delivery Cost
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www.commuterbenefits.org
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Challenges Cash Reimbursement IRC Code Section 132 (f) Requirements “Qualified Cash Reimbursement” “Readily available” voucher/pass options Double cash outlay for employee Cumbersome = deterrent to participation Pre-tax and Payroll Issues Inclusion of Shuttle Option Concerns about Participation
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Questions?
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Why Your Company Should Offer Commuter Benefits “The mode of transportation that you choose has a greater effect on the environment than any other decision you make as a consumer.” Union of Concerned Scientists Cost neutral Easy to Implement Good for employer, employees Environmental benefits
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Questions? Thank you!
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