webinar replay - sharing the big picture on transit in metro atlanta
DESCRIPTION
There are many transit operators in the metro Atlanta region, with service into and out of more places than you may realize. In addition, there are resources for last-mile connectivity, discounted fares, pre-tax benefits and support that make transit options more practical for more workplaces ... even those outside the city center. This webinar features representatives from many of the different regional and county providers, discussing how their their service area contributes to the total network and new developments they are working on. Plus, details on the "Dump the Pump" event taking place June 17-21 in the Atlanta region, as well as how the Commuter Choice program can leverage payroll tax savings.TRANSCRIPT
Sharing the Big Picture on Transit in Metro Atlanta
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Presented by
Pump Pain: Volatility Wreaks Havoc on Household Budgets
Agenda
Ryan Ellis, Atlanta Regional Commission
Lauren Travis, GRTATameka Wimberly/Monique Forte, MARTAJean Aaron, Cobb Community TransitRae George, Gwinnett County Transit
• State of Transit in Metro Atlanta
• Transit Operator Presentations
• Supporting Transit Ridership
• Leveraging Pre-Tax Benefits
• Taking Part in “Dump the Pump”
Tedra Cheatham, The Clean Air Campaign
Kenyon Thweatt, The Clean Air Campaign
Brian Carr, The Clean Air Campaign
• Questions
The State of Regional Transit
Ryan Ellis Atlanta Regional Commission
Transit in Metro Atlanta
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Transit Facts: Shuttles Provide “First/Last Mile” Connectivity
Near-Term Technology to Support Transit
GRTA Xpress
Lauren TravisGeorgia Regional Transportation Authority
About the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
Xpress Commuter Coach Provides a Comfortable, Affordable, Stress-free Commute During Peak Travel Times
• 33 Routes served by 175 coaches
• 30 Park and Ride lots in 12 metro Atlanta counties
• Draws ridership from nearly 40 counties
• Bulk pass sales
• Single trips start at $3 with multi-ride discounts available
• Free transfers to MARTA
Where GRTA Can Take Commuters
Xpress serves major employers in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta
New Initiatives Underway at GRTA
Building outreach capacity• New staff • Renewed focus on business outreach
Contact information Lauren [email protected]
www.XpressGa.com
MARTATameka Wimberly/Monique ForteMetropolitan AtlantaRapid Transit Authority
About the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
• MARTA Act created in 1965; rail service began in 1979• Operates within Fulton and DeKalb Counties and the City of
Atlanta• As of December 2012:
Mission Statement“…strengthen communities, advance economic competitiveness and respect the environment by providing a safe and customer-focused regional transit system.”
Technology Length Fleet Size Daily Passengers
Heavy Rail 48 miles 318 rail cars 174,385
Bus 1,765 miles 531 buses, 187 mobility vans 178,901
Where MARTA Can Take CommutersDowntown Bus Network too extensive to display in its entirety
Rail Network Map
New Initiatives Underway at MARTA
• Designed a safety application, ‘See & Say’ • Available on iPhone and Android
platforms for our transit riders
Transit Projects Underway
Technology Developments
Project Proposed Area of Expansion
I-20 EastProposed Heavy Rail and BRT transit from Stonecrest area in DeKalb County to Downtown Atlanta
Clifton CorridorProposed Light Rail from Lindbergh into Emory Area
GA 400Proposed High Capacity transit from North Springs to Windward Parkway
CCT
Jean AaronCobb Community Transit
About Cobb Community Transit
Number One Public Transportation Option Throughout Cobb County
with Connections to Downtown & Southwest Atlanta
• Local Fixed Routes • Express Service• Eight (8) Park & Ride Lots• Paratransit services
CCT strives to provide a transit network that is convenient, accessible, customer-focused, safe, reliable and efficient.
Where CCT Can Take Commuters
Increasing Mobility Choices for Everyone
Cobb County and the cities of Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna have launched the five-year Cobb County 2030 Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) update, which will include strategies and recommendations through the year 2040
GCT
Rae GeorgeGwinnett County Transit
About Gwinnett County Transit
• Gwinnett County Transit (GCT) provides express, local, and paratransit.
• Express bus service operates Monday through Friday and includes six routes using the HOT lane on I-85. Park and ride lots are located at I-985, Sugarloaf Mills (Discover Mills), and Indian Trail providing free and convenient parking for bus riders.
• Local bus service operates five routes Monday through Friday and Route 10 on Saturday connecting neighborhoods and businesses to Gwinnett County's many cultural, shopping and educational opportunities. Three GCT local routes connect to the Doraville MARTA train station which provides transportation directly to Downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield Jackson Airport.
GCT Customer Service Office M-F 6am to 8pm and Sat 7am to 8pm
(770) 822-5010 www.gctransit.com www.twitter.com/gctransit www.facebook.com/GwinnettCountyTransit
Where GCT Can Take Commuters
GCT Express buses originate from three Park & Ride locations; I-985, Sugarloaf Mills, and Indian Trail. All buses run the same route in Downtown Atlanta servicing all of the major employment hubs and MARTA stations.GCT Express buses originate from three Park
& Ride locations; I-985, Sugarloaf Mills, and Indian Trail. All buses run the same route in Downtown Atlanta servicing all of the major employment hubs and MARTA stations.
Where GCT Can Take Commuters: Local Service
Local bus service operates five routes Monday through Friday and Route 10 on Saturday connecting neighborhoods and businesses to Gwinnett County's many cultural, shopping and educational opportunities. Three GCT local routes connect to the Doraville MARTA train station which provides transportation directly to Downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield Jackson Airport.
New Initiatives Underway at GCT
Real-Time Travel Solutions: • Website displaying all GCT buses in real time along GCT’s
service maps– Allows customers to zoom in and select a stop along the route to see
the next three departure times
• Alerts via Email and SMS can be set for real-time information
• Buses will be equipped with LCD screens displaying current locations, in addition to, real time arrivals for the next three stops
• GCT is introducing a Mobile App providing real-time information and alerts
New Initiatives Underway at GCT
Corporate Connections ProgramCorporate Connections is a cooperative program
between a sponsoring employer and Gwinnett County Transit. Joining the program offers employers and employees tax benefits and gives employees an
attractive option to fighting rush-hour traffic. Passes are sent directly to your transit benefit manager monthly.
Contact: Rae George
678-417-5966
GCT Fares
GCT Fares Local Service
Express Zone 1
Express Zone 2
Cash Fare, One Way $2.50 $3.75 $5.00
10-Ride Ticket book $22.50 $32.50 $45.00
Monthly Pass $80.00 $130.00 $180.00
Questions for Transit Operators?
Making the Business Case for Workplaces to Support Transit
Tedra CheathamThe Clean Air Campaign
Creates “Built-In” Opportunities for Employees to Get More Exercise
6:30a 7:30a 8:00a 12:00p 1:00p 5:00p 5:30p
What role do active commuting options play in your workplace wellness program?
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Free Resources Can Help Employees Ride Transit
More than 1,600 workplaces have established Georgia Commute Options programs:
• Incentives to make the switch from driving alone− $3 a Day – up to $100− $25 Prizes for continuing to use commute options
• Guaranteed Ride Home − Register to receive up to 5 free rides home from work so your
employees are never stranded
• Special Recognition− Awards for long-term commitment to using commute options
How to Reduce Payroll Taxes by Supporting Employee Transit
Ridership
Kenyon ThweattThe Clean Air Campaign
How Workplaces Can Leverage Pre-Tax Benefits for Transit Riders
Section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code
Federal Employers – Mass Transit Incentive Program (Ref - Executive Order 13150)
Who Benefits?
• Employer– Program Flexibility– Tax Deductions / Reduction in Payroll Taxes– Employee Recruitment and Retention– Enhances employer image in the community
• Employee
– Reduction in “out of pocket” commute expenses
– Tax Savings
– All the benefits of Clean Commute
• Reduced stress
• Vehicle wear & tear
• Insurance costs
• Environmental impact
• Georgia
– Reduced Traffic Congestion
– Improved Air Quality
Employer Benefits
Flexibility– May deduct employee commute costs tax free
(up to allowed amount)– May subsidize employee commute costs. – May use a combination of payroll deduction
and subsidy– Benefits are exempt from anti-discriminatory requirements
• May offer to some or all employees• May vary amount among employees• May offer monthly or once per year
Tax Deductions / Reduction in Payroll Taxes
Qualified transportation fringe benefits under 26 U.S. Code Section 132(f)
– Tax‐free benefit for qualified transit up to $245 per month (effective Jan 1, 2013)
– Parking also tax‐free up to $245 per month (effective Jan 1, 2013)
NOTE: A tax deduction - NOT a tax credit.
Employee Benefits
• Tax Savings– Federal income tax– State income tax– Federal payroll tax (FICA)
• Reduced Commute Costs– Employees can use $245 BEFORE taxes to pay for
transit costs.– More $$$ in pocket
Contact Info
Rae George [email protected]
Billy [email protected] 404-463-3091
MARTA Partnership [email protected]
Transit Pass Sales:
For More Info on Commuter Choice:Kenyon [email protected]
Customer Service770-427-4444
Getting Your Workplace Involved in “Dump the Pump”
Brian CarrThe Clean Air Campaign
What Can Workplaces Do to Support “Dump the Pump?”
1. Invite employees to take the pledge to ride transit at least once between now and Friday, 6/21– www.GaCommuteOptions.com/DumpThePump– Chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card
2. Remind your workplace about services + support for transit available through Georgia Commute Options– Guaranteed Ride Home– Earn $3 a Day (up to $100) to switch from driving alone– Win $25 Prizes for logging commute trips– Special recognition for long-term commitment to using commute
options– Ongoing educational events and news updates
What Can Workplaces Do to Support “Dump the Pump?”
www.GaCommuteOptions.com/DumpThePump
• “Cut and Paste” Articles• Infographics• Ready-made posts for social
media
Questions?
Thank You for Participating
Slides and web video replay from this webinar will be available at:www.GaCommuteOptions.com/Employer-Services/Employer-Program-Education-Series