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Transportation Resources
511 Free Traffic Info: Construction and traffic updates, road closures, and custom services. Dial 511 fl511.com
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. epa.gov/otaq
Friends of the Legacy Trail promotes, enhances and protects the Venice to Sarasota rails-to-trails. legacytrailfriends.org
Legacy Trail plenty of areas to stop, rest, learn about its history or just enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the trail. scgov.net/LegacyTrail
Parks and Recreation, your source for parks, preserves, public beaches & more! 941.742.5923, mymanatee.org
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT): view schedules and route maps, fare information, and bikes on the bus. 941.749.7116, mymanatee.org/mcat
Manatee Co. Health Department: Check out the favorite links page! 941.748.0747, www.doh.state.fl.us
Sarasota-Manatee Bicycle Club: Recreation, fitness, exercise, sport and transportation.
View events, join, newsletter, maps, and links. www.smbc.us
Sarasota Manatee MPO
Regional planning agency, which provides a forum for cooperative decision-making on regional and local transportation issues. mympo.org
Stay Alive...Just Drive! Inc.
Crash prevention, awareness, and education program aimed at promoting safe driving.
239.340.8693, www.sajd.org
Sunpass
FDOT's prepaid toll program.
888.865.5352
www.sunpass.com
VPSI Inc.
Get moving in a vanpool! Call Commuter Services for ridematching and details! |
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FAQs
How much does Commuter Services cost? It's free, 100% sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Why do I need to register?
You join the program, and can receive all the benefits and resources offered by Commuter Services.
I'm registered, now what?
You will be matched with people who live and work near you and travel to and from work at the same time. We will send you 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.
I have to stops along my commute (kids, errands), can you help? Ask us about intersection ridematching.
How do I register for the Emergency Ride Home (ERH) 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.
I'm already registered, do I need to do anything else? Update your current mode of travel in your account, or give us a call 866.585.7433. Have a story to tell? We want to know - email us!
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Final Thoughts
Special Thanks To:
Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court, Manatee County Property Appraiser, Manatee County Tax Collector, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections, Manatee County Sheriff, Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, Manatee County Administration & Departments, 12th Judicial Court, Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, City of Bradenton, Bradenton Police Department, Manatee County Health Department, Manatee County Employee Health Benefits, Manatee School District, Manatee County Natural Resources Department, VPSI Inc., United Way of Manatee County, On A Shoestring, Ryder Bikes, Smoothie King, B.J.'s Wholesale Club, Manatee Scooters, Kirk Pinkerton - Mark Barnebey, Robin's Downtown, Inc., Fav's Italian Cucina and the Pittsburg Pirates.
About Us
Commuter Services is a 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 turnkey solutions, including program development, on-site events, marketing tools, and motivation programs.
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| Manatee County Special Edition | June 2011 | |
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 Manatee County's "Commuter Services Day"
On April 13, 2011, Manatee County Green Team teamed up with the City of Bradenton, the Judicial Center, the Constitutional Officers, the Chamber of Commerce and downtown business to host their first "Commuter Services Day!" The purpose is simple: provide commuters with transportation options. Within 3 ½ hours over 600 people registered with Commuter Services.
More than 100 employees participated in the fitness walks conducted by Employee Health Benefits, while others rode their bikes or experienced a refreshing bus ride to the event.
Departments shared their educational message with participants and downtown visitors, encouraging visits to parks, preserves, and libraries for "green" activities.
Commuter Services Day afforded Manatee County Government a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability," said Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker. "Hundreds of downtown employees turned out to learn about green initiatives and public transportation or sign up to join carpools, all options that will help cut down on carbon emissions and on local traffic. It was only the beginning of what I hope will be a continued commitment by Manatee County employees to use alternative means of transportation," Hunzeker said.
This event also kicked off Southwest Florida's "Taking it to the Streets" Challenge, a regional awareness campaign to encourage area travelers to think creatively and behave proactively, to reduce their consumption, increase conservation, save money, and improve health. Participants engaged in transportation alternatives and tracked trips in Commuter Services' new Trip Track program.
In April, 462 people tracked trips, saving a combined $50,238 in fuel and maintenance, reducing 50.24 tons of pollution and taking 100,476 miles off the roadway. Start tracking today to see how much you are saving, and enter monthly prize drawings, donated by local organizations: triptrack.commuterservicesfl.com.
Event Information
Manatee County Event Poster Link
Manatee County Proclamation Video (9:00-20:42) Link
Community Challenge Letter Link
"Commuter Services Day"  Event Video
Manatee County Awards Video (9:06-24:20) Link
Try Transit Press Release Link
Event photos on Flickr  Link |
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Record Breaking Turn-Out in Manatee | | |
 A Message from Manatee Elected Officials
"We had an incredible turn out at the Commuter Services Day. As we continue to grow and change as a community, we are very concerned about air quality. One of the ways every citizen can help us improve air quality is by combining rides, taking the bus, riding bikes or walking. It's very important that we continue to protect our environment-and let's protect your pocketbook!
Encourage ride sharing, it's a win-win for everyone. Citizens get better air quality, commuters that rideshare reduce congestion and all save money, and people that walk or bike get healthier. The City of Bradenton is very happy to participate in the Commuter Services program."
-Marianne Barnebey, City of Bradenton Councilwoman
"Commuter Services has proven to be a needed service for employees. They can connect with each other, create friendships, reduce time, expenses and provide comfort. Folks are given the opportunity and resources needed to carpool, walk, take transit and bike. As a result air quality, energy and noise are reduced.
The program is very easy to initiate and monitor and I encourage other counties to join us in this endeavor to keep extra vehicles off the roads. This means less need to build major roads, a tremendous savings. During the initial open enrollment, over 600 participants in our county enrolled in the program and the number keeps growing.
I thank the Florida Department of Transportation for developing the Commuter Services program. I extend special appreciation and gratitude to Jan Parham with FDOT for their outstanding efforts in making sure the program was executed efficiently for the county. Thank you to Brenda Rogers, Manatee Co. Community Services Director who performed an outstanding job of managing the program on the county level. The success took teamwork and all of these folks made Manatee County look great."
-Donna Hayes, Manatee County Commissioner
Green Local Government Certification
Manatee County Government has achieved a Green Local Government Certification through the Florida Green Building Coalition. County staff and the Green Team, comprised of representatives from each County department, worked on an organization-wide effort to conserve energy, to improve recycling habits and to cut down on carbon emissions. For an extensive report on Manatee County's green initiatives, view Green Steps to Sustainability.
Carpool Parking
Sign up your carpool for a preferential parking space. Contact Brenda Rogers (941) 749-3030 #3489 or brenda.rogers@mymanatee.org.
Emergency Ride Home
If you carpool, vanpool, take the bus, bike or walk to work and you experience a qualified emergency, Commuter Services will reimburse up to four free rides home per year. The program is not intended for rides to work or planned overtime. Please call Employee Relations at (941) 748-4501 or visit: CommuterServicesFL.com/emergency_ride |
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Participant Feedback | |
 Partner Spotlights
Supervisor of Elections: Even with a small staff, the Supervisor of Elections made a big splash, by walking the walk. The Supervisor of Elections Robert "Bob" Sweat and his staff took a ride on the bus during the try transit activity. Mr. Sweat and his right hand Nancy Bignell are definitely a force that Commuter Services is happy to work with.
Clerk of Court and Comptroller: Hosted right on his door step, the Clerk of Court and Comptroller knew it had to make a statement, and if anyone knows this group they did not disappoint. Employees showed up in waves, along with a few notable advocates who helped to push it over the top such as the Clerk of Court & Comptroller R.B. "Chips" Shore, Director of Employee/Public Relations Christine Clyne, and Mimi Tran.
Tax Collector: Unable to attend the actual event, the Tax Collector's office would not be outdone by the other Constitutional offices. With the use of technology, a county-wide virtual workshop kick-off was held the day before.
 Spotlight on the Tax Collector: Ken Burton Jr. is not only the Tax Collector of Manatee County, but also an accomplished athlete and avid bike rider. Ken is an advocate of safer roads, cleaner environment, and for all of the people who live and work within the community he serves, to have access to all forms of clean transportation.
Property Appraiser: One of the first to arrive and last to leave was Bobbie Windham, Assistant to the Property Appraiser. This robust work ethic and dedication to the community and environment is a direct reflection of the Property Appraiser Charles E. Hackney, who also joined in the activities.
Commuter Comments
"I love your website and your services and use them frequently. Thank you for all you do to promote alternatives to single-driver car commuting!" -Laurie Bates-Weir
"Commuter Services helped me find a carpooling buddy. Been carpooling 2 years now and used the emergency ride once. My daughter got sick and I had to leave early. The emergency ride paid for my transportation home. Great idea. As a single parent and with the cost of gas it has helped me out BIG TIME!!!! I'm thinking about using the bus on weekends now. I had my doubts too... but I'm sold." -User comment from the Bradenton Herald. Read More. |
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Winners! |
Team Challenge Trophy Winners: Public Works Department and Clerk of the Circuit Court.
A challenge was issued to all government offices by Manatee County Commissioner Donna Hayes and City of Bradenton Councilwoman Marianna Barnebey. The office or department that registered the highest percentage of their employees won a trophy and most importantly, bragging rights. Read letter.
Grand Prizes, donated by Mark Barnebey of Kirk Pinkerton, awarded to: John Osborne (Manatee County),Ryan Beggy (Public Works)Honorable Mentions: Cassandra Alston (MCAT), Cheryl Comstock (Supervisor of Elections), Bruce Robertson (Public Works)nsit Day; Polk County "Commuter Services Day"
A Very Special Thank you to Brenda Rogers
Perhaps the single most effective action that made this event such a great success is the huge planning team led by Brenda Rogers, Director of the Community Services Department. The team met nearly every week for months. As the event drew near, commuters could participate in webinars and workshops so that they knew what to expect from the event and Commuter Services. This is the first time the county had any type of event like this, with participation from all local offices. Thank you Brenda!
"Try Transit" door prize winners
Alberto Vazquez (Clerk of Courts), Arnold Cervetto(Traffic), Cheryl Comstock (Supervisor of Elections), Darrell McDonald (Public Works), Heriberto Penaloza (Storm Drainage), Jan Hilker (Tax Collector's Office), Jon Betcher (Building and Development Services), Kenneth Hawke (Community Services), Mindy Orrill (Property Management), Robin Scalera (Property Appraiser), Robert Bowling (Utilities), Ryan Beggy (Public Works), and Stef Bell (Bradenton Utilities)
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