January Commuter Newsletter

In This Issue

January events that may impact your commute

Callahan Tunnel closure update

Commuter Survey results summary

MyBike repair membership discount - 40% off until April 1

NuRide - Green commute rewards

Carpool Program

Guaranteed Ride Home Program

Try Transit Program

The Seaport TMA's commuter newsletter contains information about our incentive programs, events, and more. If you participate in at least one of our programs, you'll receive our newsletter each month with reminders to submit reports, information on program changes, and other important commuter information.

January events that may impact your commute

January calendar: Our monthly calendar includes area events which are each expected to draw 1,000 to several thousand attendees and which may impact your commute (parking, traffic, public transportation) and area activity.

View a PDF of the January 2014 South Boston Waterfront Calendar of Events by clicking here.

Callahan Tunnel closed until March 12, 2014 - update

The Callahan Tunnel, which connects Boston's North End with East Boston, and is also a route for traffic headed to Logan Airport from points North of Boston and Downtown, is closed until March 12, 2014 for repairs. Detour routes and maps have been posted online.

See the attached Seaport TMA Traffic Advisory with pertinent web links here.

The 2.5 month closure for phase one of the project began on Dec. 27 and is scheduled to finish on March 12, 2014, reopening the tunnel to traffic.

In phase two, overnight closure is planned from March until August 2014. In phase three, off peak work is planned from August until November 2014.

Seaport TMA 2013 Commuter Survey: summary highlights

Who took the Seaport TMA Commuter Survey?

The 2013 Seaport TMA Commuter Survey took place from Oct. 4, 2013 to Dec. 4, 2013. We had approximately 2,200 people complete the survey (96% of those who began the survey completed it). The respondents represented approximately 97 companies in the South Boston Waterfront. The age demographics of those surveyed were predominantly 1) 25-34, 2) 35-44, and 3) 45-54.

How was the Commuter Survey promoted?

We included the survey in our October and November Commuter Newsletters. We also posted it on the homepage of our web site for the two-month period. We sent emails to primary contacts at each of the 32 Seaport TMA member companies encouraging company-wide distribution. We conducted outreach to companies in the South Boston Waterfront who are not Seaport TMA members via third party contacts and introductions, and relevant online forums, in an effort to obtain survey respondents from as many companies and industries as possible.

How are people commuting to work?

Of the respondents, 54% use transit as their primary mode to get to work. In contrast, 30% drive alone to work. (Note: 84% of respondents own a car).

The most popular commuter boat service among commuters surveyed in the district is the Hingham Ferry.

Of the MBTA lines, 25% use the Silver Line as part of their commute, 24% use the Red Line during their commute, and 22% use a Commuter Rail line.

The most common work arrival time is between 8:30-9AM. The most common departure time is between 5-5:30PM.

The most common one-way travel times to work are 1) 45-60 minutes, 2) 61-90 minutes, and 3) 31-45 minutes)

What influences commuters to use the mode(s) they choose?

Of those who currently drive alone to work, the most commonly selected responses of what would influence them to use another mode were 1) faster transit service, 2) more reliable transit service, 3) monetary rewards, 4) cheaper transit service, and 5) less crowded transit service.

The top 3 factors for commuters in deciding how to commute to work are 1) convenience/flexibility, 2) travel time, and 3) cost.

Notes:

The survey results above are intended to give you a preliminary summary of results. This is a rough compilation of quantitative data obtained from the survey. A more detailed report will be undertaken by the Seaport TMA in the coming months, in order to identify action items for the Seaport TMA and coordination with appropriate agencies.

Gift card winners from those who supplied their information on the survey entering a raffle to win a restaurant gift card have been notified.

Commuter Incentive Programs Reminders & Updates

MyBike repair memberships 40% off until April 1

MyBike of South Boston is an award winning bike shop that offers products and services that you would not find in an ordinary bike shop.

As an employee/tenant of a Seaport TMA member company, you are eligible to receive a discount on any of MyBike's three annual repair membership packages.

Your discount on a MyBike membership is 40% if you purchase before April 1, 2014. After April 1, the discount will be available at 20%.

A MyBike membership includes free pickup & delivery concierge service of your bike for repair, discounts on parts and labor, free brake and gear adjustments, and online scheduling repair service.

For more information on MyBike membership packages and to take advantage of your discount through the Seaport TMA, visit our web site here.

NuRide rewards for green commuting

NuRide, the designated green commute rewards program in Massachusetts, offers rewards when you bike, walk, use transit, carpool, or telework. Members earn points toward discounts and coupons to restaurants and attractions.

NuRide has launched a

new, mobile friendly web site, making it easier than ever to be rewarded for green commuting. Check out their new web site here.

Carpool Program

Current Carpoolers: Please submit your carpooling report for the month of August by clicking here. Only one person per carpool should submit the report.

If you have already received the full number of six gas cards, please continue to submit your reports as we occasionally offer raffles and other prizes.

Interested in carpooling? Find a match by browsing our carpool listings of people working in the South Boston Waterfront who are interested in sharing the ride to work. Remember to check this list regularly for other prospective carpoolers from your area. We will also contact you if we find a prospective carpool match from those submitted.

Share the ride to work and be rewarded with gas cards, reserved parking, and more.

You'll be matched with employees who work similar hours and live nearby, making carpooling convenient and easy. Choose when and how often you want to carpool. The more you share, the more you earn.

Guaranteed Ride Home

Did you know that if you take transit, carpool, or bike to work you are eligible for the Seaport TMA's Guaranteed Ride Home program?

This service provides you with a free taxi ride home (includes fare and tip, suggested tip is 15%) if you have a personal emergency while at work. Participants are issued up to four vouchers each year upon submission of the confirmation report.

For more information and to register for Guaranteed Ride Home, click here.

Current participants:

If you have misplaced the confirmation report form sent to you with your voucher, you can print a new one from our web site here. We will issue you a new voucher after receiving this form mailed to us with your receipt.

Reminder: Make sure to check the name of the taxi company on your voucher before you hail/call a taxi to ensure you use the correct taxi company.

Try Transit

11 Bus

If you are participating in our Try Transit program, don't forget to submit your monthly report here. You won't receive your monthly subsidy until we receive your report.

Want to Try Transit? Are you not fully convinced taking transit is a feasible option?

We will pay $50 of your transit pass each month for three months if you discontinue driving alone and try taking transit as part of your commute. We'll also register you in our Guaranteed Ride Home program.

Contact the Seaport TMA staff with any questions or for more information about the items in this newsletter: info@seaporttma.org.

The Seaport Transportation Management Association ("Seaport TMA")
is a non-profit organization of leading businesses, employers, land developers, and property managers in the South Boston Waterfront striving to ease commuting and reduce local traffic congestion through the use of alternative transportation.