"The Effects of Commuter Benefit Programs on Transit Systems" Netconference

On April 7, 2005,  the National Center for Transit Research’s National TDM and Telework Clearinghouse at the University of South Florida and the Association for Commuter Transportation held a net conference entitled "The Effects of Commuter Benefit Programs on Transit Systems”.   Please note that the presentation is split into two separate streaming files. 

• View the netconference introduction and the streaming presentation from Michael Grant, ICF Consulting  (22:51 minutes) (You will need Windows Media Player™  to view)
• View the streaming presentation from Lorraine Taylor, WMATA, and the Q&A session with both speakers  (41:53 minutes) (You will need Windows Media Player™  to view)

Overview:

The federal tax code allows employers to provide tax-free qualified transportation fringe benefits also commonly referred to as “commuter benefits”. This session discussed the results of a recently completed report for the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) that was conducted to help employers, transit agencies, policy makers, and organizations that promote transit benefits to better understand what effects they might expect from a commuter benefits program and how to quantify these effects. A representative from one of the transit agencies interviewed for the research project, Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA), discussed how effective transit benefits programs can be in meeting various goals for employers, transit agencies, and governments.

Speakers:

This 65-minute session, moderated by Donna Smallwood, MassRIDES/URS Corporation, featured the following presentations:

Analyzing the Effects of Commuter Benefit Programs

Michael Grant, ICF Consulting (lead author of TCRP report)

Michael Grant summarized the key findings from a review of 21 surveys conducted by transit agencies and other organizations in 12 metropolitan areas, analysis of worksite trip reduction records from three regions with mandatory employer trip reduction programs, and interviews with seven transit agencies.   For more information, contact Michael Grant at MGrant@icfconsulting.com

• View the netconference introduction and the streaming presentation from Michael Grant, ICF Consulting  (22:51 minutes) (You will need Windows Media Player™  to view)
• Copy of Michael Grant's slides (pdf) (386k)

A Transit Agency’s Perspective on the Value of Commuter Benefit Programs

Lorraine Taylor (WMATA)

Lorraine Taylor summarized how the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) has successfully marketed their Metrochek program to over 4,000 employers – all with a staff of four! Discover the contribution the Metrochek and SmartBenefits programs make to WMATA’s ridership and revenues.  Ms. Taylor will also address how WMATA coordinates with local transportation demand management providers to make the program successful. For more information, please contact  Lorraine K. Taylor at ltaylor@wmata.com

• View Lorraine Taylor's streaming media presentation, including the Q&A session with both speakers  (41:53 minutes) (You will need Windows Media Player™  to view)
• Copy of Lorraine Taylor's slides (pdf) (664k)

In this netconference, "attendees" heard the audio portion of the live presentation via a toll-free telephone call and simultaneously viewed the PowerPoint presentation via Internet. This session included a ~30 minute question and answer session between the panelists and the audience (estimated at 100 people hosted by ACT chapters in 21 cities across the country).

• Provide your feedback and topic suggestions for future netconferences

Links

TCRP Report 87 - Strategies for Increasing the Effectiveness of Commuter Benefits Programs  

Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)

NTI Commuter Benefits Staff Course (2-day)

WMATA SmartBenefits

 WMATA SmarTrip