new blue logo 6.16
 
 
Spare the Air Employer Program Newsletter No. 33 - February 2015
breeze header


toolsSpare the Air Employer Program Tools
SantaClaraTeamLogo

Download your copy of Tales from the Commute. 

Beta511

Check out the beta 511 Enhanced Trip Planner!

511.org  

Now you can compare the costs and time of trips combining driving, transit and walking to identify the best commute options for yourself.

ozoneHow is the Bay Area air quality doing?

Use the Ozone Animation Tool to see how we are doing in preventing unhealthy air quality in the Bay Area in real time, and historically.

ForFFact or Fiction: Car Idling

"Turning my car off and on is hard on the engine and uses more gas than if I leave it running." Fiction! Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components. Learn more about being Idle Free.

App4thatSpare the Air - There's an App for That!
STA app

 Visit the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to download the FREE Spare the Air Apps for alert notifications, local air quality forecasts, podcasts and tools to help reduce air pollution.

SocialFooterJoin Us

View our profile on LinkedIn  Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter
Find us on Google+   Find us on Pinterest   View our videos on YouTube 
FourSquareSTA

artR1Help Your Employees Keep This Year's Resolutions 


Reduce stress, save money, read novels, get more exercise and lose weight - these popular resolutions can be supported by alternative modes of commuting.

In your next employee newsletter or other communications, roll out a guide to encourage employees to take transit, carpool, walk or bike to work. The sample messages below can be tailored to fit your commuter benefits program. You may wish to add links to your local transit provider. You are free to use any of the photos in this article or visit the Employers Spare the Air web page for others.
 

  1. Want to save money? Sign up for our carpool_peoplePre-tax Commuter Benefit to save money on transit or vanpool expenses. When you use pre-tax dollars to cover these expenses, the savings really add up! 
  2. Want to save money? Sharing the ride can save big bucks! Calculate your potential savings from carpooling and find a carpool buddy.
  3. Want to save money? Bike to work! You will save money on gas, wear and tear on your car and perhaps even insurance premiums when your mileage drops.
  4. Looking to shed a few pounds? Aim to take 10,000 steps a day! Walking to the bus  can help you reach your goal.
  5. Want to get more exercise without spending more time at the gym? Walking to the bus or riding yoTrain_Talkur bike to work is a great way to add some activity to your daily routine. 
  6. Need more downtime or just time to catch up on your reading? Take the train or bus to work and let someone else do the driving!
  7. Need more time at home and less time driving to work? Get a carpool buddy or two. You'll save time when you take advantage of the HOV lanes around the Bay Area.
  8. Want to connect more with colleagues or neighbors? Jump in a carpool and have time to connect before the busy day starts.
Roche

Roche Event Connects Carpoolers



Last fall, the Spare the Air Employer Program facilitated a carpool and rideshare connection event hosted by Roche Molecular Diagnostics for their employees, with assistance from 511 and Hacienda Business Park.

 

Roche event

While more than 75 employees enjoyed lunch, Roche CEO Paul Brown spoke about the company's commitment to sustainability, and Roche's Green Team representative Morgan Watson introduced alternative commute options for employees.

 

Employees gathered in groups according to where they live and explored carpool options with co-workers with similar commutes. Gift cards worth $150 were raffled off to two participants.

 

Not all commutes are transit-friendly, and the Spare the Air Employer Program rideshare pilot program helps employers connect their employees with others who live near them or share commute patterns. Studies show employers are key influencers in motivating employees to adopt alternatives to commuting alone. Many Bay Area employers offer commuter benefits to employees, who may benefit by saving money on transit.

 

The pilot event at Roche is just one of many held in the Bay Area. If you are interested in an event, or a doing a pilot program at your workplace, please contact Stephanie Anderson at [email protected] or 510-763-2500.

TalesTales from the Commute: Develop Commuter Converts in Your Company


 

It's a win-win for businesses and workers when employees chose alternative commute options such as transit and carpooling. Employees describe a range of benefits from better health to financial savings. Employers benefit when employeeare less stressed, healthier and more productive.

 

Tales_blue

Tales from the Commute is designed to give you the tools you need to promote commute alternatives with your employees. It includes survey data, real-life commuter convert stories, links to resources and lots of good ideas about how to encourage your employees to try transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking and walking - anything but driving alone to work. You can download a copy of the toolkit and view first person commuter stories on the Spare the Air Bay Area YouTube channel. If you're looking for stories for your own employee newsletter, take a look at the instructions for a commuter story sharing contest on page 6. Who knows what you might hear! Already have a commuter convert story? Share it with us by emailing Stephanie Anderson

CBPtutorialsCommuter Benefits Program Tutorials Now Available

 

CommuterBenefitsProgramIf your company or organization has 50 or more employees, registration for the Commuter Benefits Program is still mandatory. If you are not sure which option is right for your company, watch the new video tutorials now available on the 511 YouTube channel. You can also stay up to date with program information on the Commuter Benefits page.
  • Option 1 - Allow employees to exclude their transit or vanpool costs from taxable income, to the maximum amount as allowed by federal law (currently $130 per month).
  • Option 2 - Employer-provided transit subsidy (or transit pass) or vanpool subsidy up to $75 per month.
  • Option 3 - Employer-provided free or low cost bus, shuttle or vanpool service operated by or for the employer.
  • Option 4 - An alternative employer-provided commuter benefit that is as effective as in reducing single occupant vehicles as options 1-3.
If you have any questions or comments on this Breeze issue or the Employer Program, please contact Stephanie Anderson at [email protected]