Nov-Dec 
2015 


NORTH SHORE TMA NEWSLETTER
 
Pair up for the holidays! Share the NSTMA newsletter
We hope that you find the North Shore TMA
bi-monthly newsletters to be interesting and informative. We also hope that you are inclined to share them with a friend or colleague. This holiday season, please refer a colleague to join our mailing list. To do that, simply email  [email protected] with the name and email address of a new subscriber. You and the person you refer will each be entered to win a $50 gift card to the restaurant of your choice. This promotion will run from November 30th - December 11th and the winner will receive their gift card during the week of December 14th.
Tabling Events at Salem State University
Since late September, the NSTMA has had a regular presence on the Salem State University campus in an effort to promote our programs and services to the community there and increase student participation in our signature Green to School program. At our tabling events, passersby have the opportunity to learn more about how the TMA can help make their commute more affordable, tell us about how we can improve the SSU shuttle to/from the Salem Depot, and fill out a raffle ticket for one of two Amazon gift cards, which will be raffled in early December.
Eastern Bank "Commutes Another Way"
Eastern Bank employees at a Commute Another Way informational session 
On October 19th, the NSTMA launched a special incentive program for Eastern Bank employees called Commute Another Way. Now through December 11th, Eastern Bank employees who commit to commuting "green" two times per week will win a special award. Already 16 people have registered. Don't miss out on your opportunity to win with them! 

Transit Benefit Parity and the Transportation Bill
As it currently stands, the benefit cap for pre-tax contributions to transit passes stands at $130 per month. For parking, that limit is much higher-- at $250 per month. To make matters worse, the parking cap is set to increase to $255 per month in 2016 while the transit cap will remain frozen. The NSTMA is asking for your help to ask Congress for transit benefit parity.
Transportation for America Report
Do you wish you could bike or walk to work but you're not sure where the safest routes exist? Would taking public transit a few times a week add peace of mind to your work week? A new report called What Works: Low-cost ways to encourage walking, biking and transit published by our friends at Transportation for Massachusetts, Livable Streets Alliance, WalkBoston and MAPC provides recommendations on how to encourage "green" commuting at your worksite while staying within your budget.  
 
Upcoming Events


Tuesday, December 1st 
Informational Session at Salem State University
Marsh Hall - 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
 
Thursday, December 3rd 
 Informational Session at Salem State University
Marsh Hall - 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

Tuesday, December 8th
Informational Session at Salem State University
Marsh Hall - 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.


Week of December 14th:
Awards will be given out to Commute Another Way participants at Eastern Bank
Updates and Announcements

New schedules on the MBTA commuter rail beginning December 14th.
Transportation for Massachusetts petition: Keep MBTA fare hikes low and don't compromise service.
The MBTA wants to hear from you! Complete their brief census...