Commuter Services 1.866.585.RIDE - www.CommuterServicesFL.comCommuter Services

 Florida Dept. of Transportation
Sarasota County Special Edition Newsletter

In This Issue
Polk County Challenge
SCAT's "Try Transit"
Pedal and Ride
Spotlight on Frank Lin
Bicycling
Prize Winners
Quick Links 

Biking & Walking

Commuter Services Website

Cost Calculator

Current Events

Emergency Ride Home

Register Online

Register (PDF)

Sarasota Co. Website

SCAT Website

Traffic Information

Transit Information

Atenci�n/Atansyon

La aplicaci�n para registrar en espa�ol (PDF)

Informaci�n en espa�ol (v�deo)

Enskripsyon an Krey�l (PDF)

Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
Commuter Benefits

Carpools Only!

 

In addition to saving money on fuel and vehicle repairs, Sarasota County carpoolers can benefit from preferential parking. Signs are in place at the BOB, Administration and RL Anderson buildings, and are permitted for use on a first-come first-served basis. 

 

Emergency Ride Home 

If you carpool, vanpool, ride the bus, bike or walk to workschool, and your employer offers the 

Emergency Ride Home program, you qualify for free rides home in the event of an emergency.  

Commuter Services will reimburse up to four rides per year via taxi or rental car; or reimburse mileage for a co-worker who drives you home.

The program can only be used for personal and family emergencies or unscheduled overtime per supervisor request. It is not intended for rides to work, scheduled appointments or planned overtime. 

Just make sure you are registered and your company is offering the Emergency Ride Home, before requesting use of the program.

FAQs
 How much does Commuter Services cost? This is a freeprogram, sponsored by the Florida Dept. of Transportation.

 

What does it mean to register? You are considered "part of the program," and can receive all the benefits and resources offered by Commuter Services.

 

What happens after I register?  You will be matched with people who live and work near you and travel to and from work at the same time.  Next, you will be emailed (or mailed) the name, phone number and email address of people who could potentially share your commute.  To get started, check out the carpool checklist, interested cyclists can organize group rides, or maybe you want to find someone to share a transit ride.  For commuters with a longer drive, vanpooling is an ideal solution.

 

 Once registered, you are not obligated to share a ride - use the program as needed.  See who lives near you as a backup, in case your car is in the shop, you are unable to drive, or you have an emergency.

 

How do I register for the Emergency Ride Home program? By registering with Commuter Services, you are already registered for the ERH program.  Please be sure your employer is offering the program before requesting service or reimbursement.

 

This service helped me, now what? Update your current mode of travel

in your account, or give us a call 1.866.585.7433 (RIDE).  Have a story to tell?  We want to know - email us!

 

What are the program benefits?

-Find co-workers that share your commute, so you can save time and money

-Find a back up, in case your car breaks down or for some other emergency

-Reduced stress induced by traffic or the costs of daily commuting

-Use of the ERH program

Find traffic information and local services

-Notices of upcoming activities, incentives and periodic prize drawings

-Other free services, and tips to save you money on travel

-Information on carpools, vanpools, biking, walking, local transit, teleworking, flexible scheduling, green initiatives and more!

 

I bike/walk/ride the bus, why should I register?  You qualify for the ERH program, and any upcoming incentives.  You will also be entered into periodic prize drawings, receive notices of upcoming activities, events, and promotions, like Tow to Go, Bike to Work Week, National Walking Day or Dump the Pump.  Soon, we plan to launch our Trip Tracking program; an incentivized tracking system that rewards commuters for reporting their daily modes of travel.

 

 

What are the environmental benefits by commuting by carpool/vanpool/bike/bus?

Changes in travel behavior, and worksite operations can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce a worksite's overall carbon footprint. Considering that one gallon of gas produces 20 lbs. of CO2 (fueleconomy.gov), even small changes in commute behavior and fuel usage can have a positive impact on the environment.

Resources

Transportation

511 Free Traffic Info: Construction and traffic updates, road closures, and custom services. Dial 511

[email protected]

 

Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee: educates the public about ways to improve walking and biking. 941.544.7788

[email protected]

 

EPA Transportation & Air Quality regulating air pollution from motor vehicles, engines, and the fuels used to operate them, and by encouraging travel choices that minimize emissions.

 

Friends of the Legacy Trail supports, promotes, enhances and protects the Venice to Sarasota rails-to-trails.

[email protected]

 

Legacy Trail plenty of areas to stop, rest, learn about its history or just enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the trail.

 

Parks and Recreation, your source for parks, paddling, events & more!  941.861.5000

 

Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT): try out Google Transit, view schedules and route maps, read about Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), fare information, and pedal and ride. 941.861.5000

 

Sarasota Co. Health Dept.

Check out the Pathways to Health program! 941.861.2900,

 

Sarasota-Manatee Bicycle Club

Recreation, fitness, exercise, sport and transportation.  

View events, join, newsletter, maps, and links   

 

Stay Alive...Just Drive! Inc.

Crash prevention, awareness, and education program aimed at promoting safe driving.

239.340.8693

[email protected]

 

Sunpass

FDOT's prepaid toll program.

888.865.5352

 

Get moving in a vanpool! 813.282.8200 [email protected]

 

Sustainability

Air and Water Quality

Ensure the highest level of quality of air and protect drinking water in Sarasota,

 

City of Sarasota

Sustainability, energy incentives, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon footprints. Contact Alison Albee

 941.365.2200 x 6317

[email protected]

 

Protect, conserve, and enhance our natural resources by blending the needs of today with a vision for tomorrow.

 

Keep Sarasota County Beautiful

Education, cleanup programs, recycling and other methods of reducing solid waste.

 

Resource Management:

Check out information on Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program and Nature Lands/Trails.

  

Sarasota Co. Sustainability

Learn what you, your business and community can do.  Read about Sarasota County's efforts, renewable community, view interesting links, and outreach and education.

941.861.5000

[email protected]

 

UF/IFAS Sarasota Extension

Developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences. 941.861.9900

[email protected]

Special EditionSeptember 2010
Sarasota County "Commuter Services Day"
 

Registering at Commuter Services DayThis special edition newsletter highlights resources to assist you in finding ways to get around besides driving alone.  These resources offer smarter, sustainable methods of daily living.

On June 24, 2010, Sarasota County government and the constitutional offices combined efforts to host their first "Commuter Services Day." 
Crystal Pruitt tries transit
This event was designed to raise
awareness of alternative modes of transportation, such as carpooling, vanpooling, public transit, biking and walking to encourage healthier lifestyles and sustainability.
 

The event took place outside of the County administration building in

downtown Sarasota. Commuter Services conducted the event in partnership with local entities including 
Segway demo with Parks and Rec., and Florida Ever-GlidesSarasota County Area Transit (SCAT), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Sarasota County, Air and Water Quality,  Clerk of the Circuit Court, City of Sarasota, Environmental Services,  Property Appraiser, Resource Management, Sheriff's Office, Solid Waste, Supervisor of Elections, Sustainability, and Tax Collector's Office. 
 
Commuter Services was joined by a number of vendors providing
information, food and services to local employees.
waiting in line for free bicycle helmet
 Participants included 511 - Traffic Info, the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Coca-Cola, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Florida Ever-Glides, Friends of the Legacy Trail, Keep Sarasota County Beautiful, Little Caesars Pizza, New Balance Sarasota, Parks and Recreation, Sarasota-Manatee Bicycle Club, Stay Alive...Just Drive! Inc, UF/IFAS Sarasota Extension, and VPSI Inc.  We were met by crowds of downtown commuters and community members, looking to find options and information. 
 
Sarasota County tries transit You can make a difference in your local environment and improve the air you breathe, alleviate traffic congestion, reduce traffic induced stress and save money.  Your efforts and local events, like Sarasota County's "Commuter Services Day," benefit the local economy through community interaction, marketing opportunities and increase mobility.
A Challenge from Polk County
 

Sarasota County first to accept challenge

Polk Co. Commissioner Jean Reed presenting 2009 proclamation to Ben Walker, former FDOT Modal System Development AdministratorLast year, on May 21, 2009, Polk County held an event in Bartow, FL, similar to Sarasota County's "Commuter Services Day."  By the end of the day, over 400 commuters registered with the program, adding to the 1,200 already participating.  Today, Polk County has nearly 3,700 registered commuters in FDOT District One's Commuter Services program.  View Polk County Special Edition Newsletter.  View Polk County Proclamation.

 

Following the event, Polk County Commissioner and Commuter ServicesSarasota Co. Commissioner Barbetta, giving speech at Commuter Services Day Ambassador, Jean Reed, sent an official challenge to all surrounding counties to host a kick-off campaign to raise awareness of Commuter Services and alternative transportation. Sarasota County was the first to accept Polk County's challenge.  To kick off the event, the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation view video, naming June 24 as "Commuter Services Day."

 

A friendly competition ensued as Sarasota County Commissioner andPicking up some information from Sarasota-Manatee Bicycle Club Commuter Services Ambasador, Joe Barbetta, issued challenges to each of the county's constitutional offices and downtown businesses.  The challenge encouraged them to help strengthen Sarasota's campaign to improve air quality and offer commute solutions to residents of Southwest Florida and, of course, to beat Polk County's recent success. View Event Flyer. View Challenge Flyer.

 

The Sarasota County Government Planning Department won Commissioner Joe Barbetta's Commuter Services TeamSupervisor of Elections table Challenge Trophy.  The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office won the award for team spirit.

 

A third award, the "Sustainability Awareness Award," recognized the office that encouraged the greatest participation. This was awarded to the joint efforts of the Tax Collector's office and the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office.

 

At the conclusion of the event,Lee Hayes Byron gets fir with a bike helmet, by FDOT's Sherry Moss Sarasota County now boasts twice as many bicyclists and teleworkers as Polk County.  And, although Sarasota County did not beat Polk County's grand totals, the event provided many more resources and interactive opportunities, like SCAT's "Try Transit" activity.

SCAT's Try Transit
 

"Let us pick you up for lunch!"

Trying transitA "Special Route" was put into service for SCAT's Try Transit event, giving participants around town an opportunity to experience transit.  This special route was abbreviated to encompass multiple regular routes, showing participants all of the route options surrounding their worksites and/or destinations for public services.  View System Map or try Google Transit! 

 

On a 96 degree day outside, many riders sang praises: "the hybrid buCommissioner Mason and FDOT's Jan Parham on the buss was refreshing; very cool and very clean," said Liz Kaber, from the Sarasota County Tax Collector's Office.   Other commuters considered taking transit as an inexpensive, regular method of travel: 

 

Regular fare is 75 cents, 35 cents with qualified discount cards, and free for children less than 5 years of age. County employees can ride free by showing their badge upon boarding the bus. View fare and outlet information.

Commissioners Staub and Patterson 

Also on board were Commissioners Carolyn Mason, Shannon Staub, Vice Chair Nora Patterson and Chairman Joe Barbetta. Commissioner Barbetta demonstrated the pedal-and-ride option by loading his bicycle onto the bus' front-end bicycle rack and then hopped aboard for a ride. 

Pedal-and-Ride
 
"Try It - You Might Like It!" 
 
By combining the bus and bicycling for trips around town, travelers can incorporate regular exercise with an inexpensive alternative to driving alone.
 
Commuter Services Ambassador Commissioner Barbetta had no problem setting the example for future cyclists out there.   
 
Equipped with a helmet cam (view video courtesy of Access Sarasota), Commissioner Barbetta rode his bike to work, around downtown during the event, then transported it on the SCAT bus.  
 
Using the bike rack is easy, and if it's your first time, don't worry! Here are some tips, courtesy of SCAT:
 
 -While holding bike, lower bike rack.
-Lift bike into the wheel wells; securely fit both tires.
-Pull the self storing support arm up over front tire. 
Spotlight on Frank Lin
 

Frank Lin - 2010Frank Lin - 2008Back in 2008 (left), we met Frank Lin, who reported biking to work every day, rain or shine. 

This past June, two years later (right), he met us downtown to inform us that he is still riding his bicycle and loves our program!  

Bicycling
FDOT Safety VanFlorida's Bicycling Friendliness Moves up 20 Places

Florida's ranking improved from 32nd to 12th place and received honorable mention as a Bicycle Friendly State, from the League of American Bicyclists. "These states show what can be done to promote bicycling through model policies, programs and a built environment that accommodates bicyclists of all ages and abilities."

Commissioner Barbetta putting on his helmet cameraWith many communities in Southwest Florida taking the initiative to improve roadways and pathways that are more friendly and accessible to bicyclists and pedestrians, it is important to recognize the local organizations that have made friendliness a priority.  Whether your organization is a veteran to this task, or just getting started, getting to know neighboring efforts is a great way to get on the road to improvement.

At Sarasota County's "Commuter Services Day," the Sarasota-Manatee Sarasota-Manatee Bicycle ClubBicycle Club brought several bikes, a work stand and common bike repair tools. Their demonstration promoted safe cycling, including proper clothing and mandatory use of a helmet.  They taught attendees how to repair a flat tire and make simple bike repairs and adjustments.

Also represented was the Sarasota Bicycle/Pedestrian Advocates (BPA), which specializes in policy. BPA works with the public, the media, cities, counties, the state, the federal government, and others to make biking and walking safer and easier.Friends of the Legacy Trail shared information on events, trail maps, ambassadorships, volunteering, and other information.

Special Thanks
 

Sarasota County's "Commuter Services Day" was made possible through the collaborative efforts, hard work, and shared vision of many dedicated individuals.   We'd like to thank Sarasota County Sustainability, Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) and the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners.   We hope that Sarasota County's event motivates commuters, employers and community leaders throughout Southwest Florida, to join together in an ongoing campaign to improve air quality through sustainability awareness and changes in travel behavior.
Prize Winners - Thanks to Our Donors!
Special thanks to the following businesses, whose donations helped make the day a great success.  Show your support by going green and staying local!
 
Applebee's  Main Street
1991 Main St., Sarasota
941.955.7234
 
Bravo and Jeffrey's Italian Eatery
1995 Main St., Sarasota
941.906.9500
 
1409 Main St. Sarasota
941.365.1026
 
1126 North Lime Ave., Sarasota
2150 47th St., Sarasota
941.953.3151
 
1900 Main St., Sarasota
941.330.1880
 
3800 South Tamiami Trl.
 Sarasota
941.952.0300
 
200 South Washington Blvd.
Sarasota
941.363.9556
 
 
$5 Pizza, Everyday!
2866 Ringling Blvd.
Sarasota
941.312.5938
 
1872 Stickney Point Rd.
Sarasota
941.921.3696
 
900 Main St., Ste. 102
Sarasota
941.365.8423
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Congratulations to the Following Winners!
 
Winners
Not pictured:
 

 

Tammi Osborne

Clerk of Circuit Court

Caf� Americano

$25 gift certificate

 

Dawn Carroll

 Health Dept.

Sunpass Mini

 

Todd Simmons

City of Sarasota

Sunpass Mini

 

Jamie Mahadeo

Health Dept.

New Balance

$50 gift certificate

 

 

Martha Marsh

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Tropical Caf� Smoothies

$10 gift certificate

 

Renee Geraci

Tax Collector

Bravo!

$20 gift certificate

 

Zachary Azimi

Sarasota Co.

Sunpass Mini

 

Ronald Campbell

City of Sarasota

Sunpass Mini

 

 

Robert Jolly

Supervisor of Elections

Sunpass Mini

 

Denise Sam

Tax Collector

Tropical Caf� Smoothies

$10 gift certificate

 

Lou Mikos

Sarasota Co.

Sunpass Mini

 

Leftover food and drinks were donated to the Salvation Army, 1400 10th St. Sarasota, FL.  941.954.4671.

  
  SCAT driver  Child rider  Crowd during Comm. Barbetta's speech
About Us
 

FDOT sealCommuter Services is a FREE program, sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation, serving travelers in the 12 county region of Southwest Florida. 

 

We work with businesses to help their employees find a better way to get to work rather than driving alone. We work with local governments and transportation partners to help build better communities that offer a wider range of transportation choices - like bicycling and walking, and better accessibility for carpools, vanpools, and transit services. We provide employers with a turnkey solution, including program development, on-site events, marketing tools, and motivation programs.

Commuter Services Program Director, Christine Diaz 

For more information:

Call: 1.866.585.RIDE (7433)

Visit: www.CommuterServicesFL.com 

Email: [email protected]   

 
 
 Group photo  Russell McDermott and Lauren Lane boarding bus