Commuter/Transportation Benefits Programs

[Guest abctma]

I run a non-profit commuter services organization called the Artery Business Committee transportation Management Association (ABC TMA) My Webpage. We provide commuter benefits to companies to reduce the number of drive alone commuters traveling into work in order to improve congestion and air quality.

The programs inlcude:

- Guaranteed Ride Home Program: The Guaranteed Ride Home program allows all employees that take the bus, subway, commuter rail, boat, carpool, vanpool, bike or walk to work to receive a free Guaranteed Ride Home in the event of an emergency or unscheduled overtime.

- Personalized Commuter Assistance and Ridematching: The ABC TMA uses a computerized ridematching system to match member employees with other employees commuting into the Boston area who are interested in sharing a ride.

- Bicycle and Pedestrian Incentive Program: "Work out to Work" is the ABC TMA's program providing incentives and safety training to employees who bike or walk to work. Participants receive a logbook to keep track of their miles each month in the program and receive prizes each month they submit their miles to the ABC TMA.

· Vanpool Seat Subsidy Program: The ABC TMA offers financial assistance to those tenants interested in forming a vanpool or any drive alone commuters who joins a vanpool already serving the downtown area.

· Carpool Subsidy Program: The ABC TMA provides assistance to new carpools by covering the cost of fuel for six months. Participants in the program receive a Wright Express Fuel Card, which allows them to purchase up to $35 in gas each month.

· Express Bus/Commuter Boat Subsidy Program: Provides $100 per month for three months to employees currently driving alone into work, if they agree to use an MBTA Express Bus, Private Bus Carrier, or MBTA Commuter Boat.

I was wondering if other companies currently provide these benefits to their employees and if so how effective you have found them?

Thank you!

dstraus@abctma.com