% employers offering commute … · reducing traffic congestion and improving employee ... search...

# Employees 1-100 101-250 251-999 1000+

For information or to change your mailing address, contact Commuter Connections at 800.745.RIDE, or202.962.3213 (TDD). We invite your comments and suggestions. Please send to:

or e-mail us at [email protected].

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The Commuter Information Source for Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia

Issue 4, Volume 18 Fall 2014 WHAT’S INSIDE 2 Metro’s Silver Line Shines

3 2015 Employer RecognitionAwards Call for Nominations

3 Metroway Offers Rapid Transit

4 Carpoolers Huddle with Washington Redskin Kirk Cousins

5 MTA Commuter BusImprovements

6 How Do You Stack Up?

NEW EMPLOYER CASE STUDIES

For subscription information or to change your mailing address, contact Commuter Connections at 800.745.RIDE

Commuter Connections is a publication of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. This program isfunded by the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and U.S. Departments of Transportation and the FederalHighway Administration, under MAP-21.

Commuter Connections © FALL 2014

National Capital Region TransportationPlanning BoardMetropolitan Washington Council of Governments777 N. Capitol St., NE, Ste. 300 Washington, D.C. 20002-4290

Commuter Connections Editor,c/o Commuter Connections, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments777 N Capitol St, NE, Ste 300Washington, D.C. 20002-4290 Printed on recycled paper

Every day, employers like you rely on Commuter Connectionsfor free guidance and support to start, or enhance commuteprograms at the workplace. They count on the unmatchedreputation of Commuter Connections because our freeservices enrich the quality of life for employees, increasingrecruitment and retention, and ultimately improving yourcompany’s bottom line.

Over the years, our experience has found that one of the mosteffective tools we have is to share success stories of otherWashington metropolitan region employer commute benefitprograms. Because what works for another employer might be beneficial for your company as well.

That’s a lot of people trying to get in and out of one place at the same time. The Manassas campus has few transit optionsand limited parking for their ever growing workforce. Thatamounts to traffic congestion and stressed commuters.

Continued on page 2

HOW DO YOU STACK UP?

800.745.RIDE commuterconnections.org

National Capital Region Transportation Planning BoardMetropolitan Washington Council of Governments

777 N. Capitol St., N.E., Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20002-4290

MTA COMMUTER BUS IMPROVEMENTS

The Maryland Transit Administration(MTA) introduced several commuter bus service enhancements as part oftheir comprehensive plan to build abetter system that will convenientlycarry workers to business campuses and connecting transit. The changes aim to improve the Maryland commuterbus network’s reliability, efficiency and accessibility.

MTA provides express commuter bustransit service from suburbs thatinclude Western and Southern Marylandinto Washington area business centers.Some of the MTA commuter buses areserviced through private contractors.

“The goal of the Bus Network Improvement Project is to delivermeaningful and substantive improvements to our buses– theheart and soul of our transit system,” said MTA AdministratorRobert Smith. “These proposed changes will improve service andreliability to our customers, while connecting residents to jobs.”

Improvements to the MTA commuter bus network effectiveNovember 1, 2014 are:

Route 991 was renamed with new route patterns including:• Route 505- Hagerstown/Myersville to Shady Grove

Metro/Rock Spring Business Park• Route 515- Frederick/Urbana to Shady Grove Metro/Rock

Spring Business Park

Routes 903, 905, and 909 were renamed with new routepatterns including:

• Route 705- Charlotte Hall/Waldorf to Washington D.C.• Route 715- Charlotte Hall/ Waldorf to Washington D.C.

• Route 725- California/Charlotte Hall to Washington D.C.• Route 735- Charlotte Hall/Waldorf to Washington D.C.

For more information on how these MTA improvements canassist your employees’ daily commutes, visit mta.maryland.gov.

55% of respondents who work foremployers with 101-250 employeessaid that their employer offers anycommute services.

Source: 2013 Commuter Connections State of the Commute Report

% EMPLOYERS OFFERING COMMUTE INFORMATION TO EMPLOYEES

Working with Commuter Connections is advantageous to yourorganization as we talk to a lot of employers to gather andshare tips on what works, and what doesn’t, to make youremployees’ commuting lives better.

Reducing traffic congestion and improving employeecommutes, is good for everybody!

One of the ways Commuter Connections shares suchinformation is through employer case studies focusing on awide variety of individual programs. We put together shortbriefs that highlight what your fellow employers are doing.

A newly issued Commuter Connections case study profilesLockheed Martin Federal Systems, a government contractorwith many employment sites throughout the DC region,providing technical, aerospace, and security support to federal agencies. More than 1,500 employees work atLockheed’s campus within the Prince William technologycorridor in Manassas, Virginia.

How does a pro quarterback get to work? CommuterConnections and Comcast Sports Network held a “Carpool withFootball Star Kirk Cousins” contest to promote carpooling in theWashington DC area.

Open to all carpoolers in the Washington region, even to Dallas Cowboy fans, contest entrants had to like CommuterConnections’ Facebook page before entering. The lucky winner was Curtis Midkiff from Landover, MD. He and threeadditional carpoolers commuted via limo ride to work with the Redskins quarterback!

“We had an amazing time!” said Mr. Midkiff, “Thanks a million toyou and your team for making this process seamless and makingtoday super memorable!”

Overall, the promotion was a great success. Mr. Midkiff said that“even my wife (a Dallas fan which she was told NOT to mention inthe car) had to admit she enjoyed spending time with Kirk andsaid she might even cheer for the Redskins a little this year!”

See how Commuter Connections can help your professionalteam of employees score big by saving time and moneycarpooling. We’ll help form your company’s game plan, just visit us at commuterconnections.org or call 800.745.RIDE.

There’s a new way to commute along route 1 between Arlington andAlexandria. It’s called Metroway, the first bus rapid transit system inthe Washington metropolitan region. The modern blue colored buseshum through dedicated bus-only lanes between Crystal City andBraddock Rd Metrorail stations, via Potomac Yard.

The service runs seven days a week from 5:30am to 10:00pm,Monday through Thursday, 5:30am to midnight on Friday, 6:30am tomidnight on Saturday, and 7:30am to 10:00pm on Sunday.

The buses run every six minutes during rush hour, every 12 minutesduring daytime off-peak hours, and every 15 minutes in theevenings. Metroway bus service costs $1.75 for each ride and can bepaid with a SmarTrip card or cash. Transfer discounts are given forSmarTrip payments.

In 2015, Metroway will expand to include stops at Pentagon City,33rd & Crystal Drive in Arlington, and Fayette Street in Alexandria.The stations will also feature real-time bus arrival screens andoff-board fare collection.

Encourage your employees to use this premium and fast service withgreat features that include, brand new buses with vaulted ceilings,large windows with panoramic views, and bike racks.

For more information on Metroway, visit metrowayva.com.

CARPOOLERS HUDDLE WITH WASHINGTON REDSKIN KIRK COUSINSNew Employer Case Studies

Lockheed Martin put together an internal group to determinewhat could be done for current and prospective employees and their commutes. By looking at other work sites in theregion, they were able to customize benefits for their Manassas location.

Lockheed Martin expanded their pre-tax transit/vanpool benefitto the full IRS allowable limit of $130 per month. Lockheed also expanded telework eligibility, and implemented a flextimeschedule. Lastly, preferential parking was offered for carpoolsand vanpools.

The result is that Lockheed has been successful in gettingfewer employees to drive alone to work, and more takingadvantage of other available transportation options. Forexample, telework participation has risen to 24% of the totalemployee population. Additionally, several new vanpools havebeen started. Through these commute program modifications,Lockheed’s workforce has reduced more than 750,000 vehiclemiles traveled and more than 22,000 gallons of gas per year.

The Lockheed Martin story is just one of the many case studiesthat Commuter Connections has prepared, and we’re happy toshare them all. In addition to the Lockheed Martin case study,

others just released include the United Nations Foundation inWashington, DC, and Wells Fargo in Frederick, MD.

To read the full case study, and those of other area employers,visit commuterconnections.org, click on Employers, then onCommuting Solutions. If you got a good story to tell, we’d loveto hear all about it at 800 745-7433, or share it with us on ourLinkedIn page, search for Commuter Connections.

In addition, winners are selected for their altruistic policies thathave improved the lives of their employees and the region.

“Our region has a strong presence of employer focused support ofcommuter benefit programs through the assistance of CommuterConnections’ network members,” said Nicholas Ramfos, Director ofCommuter Connections. “The awards program is our opportunity tohighlight the successful outcome of these efforts.”

METROWAY OFFERS RAPID TRANSIT

2015 Employer Recognition Awards Call for Nominations

Continued from front

METRO’S SILVER LINE SHINESNominations are now being accepted for the 2015 EmployerRecognition Awards.

Employers can be nominated in three categories:

• Incentives – employers who provide commute benefits making alternative transportation modes more advantageous than driving alone.

• Marketing – employers who successfully promote commuting options.

• Telecommuting – employers who initiate or expand effective telework programs

Applicants are evaluated and winners are chosen for their abilityto offer measurable commuter benefits that reduce automobilefuel consumption and emissions through fewer vehicle trips andmiles traveled.

Continued on page 4

2015 EMPLOYER RECOGNITION AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Metro’s new Silver Line, the largest expansion ofMetrorail since 1991, has exceeded ridershipexpectations. Metro estimates that the Silver Lineis currently adding approximately 6,000 new ridersto the Metrorail system each weekday. The balance,approximately 9,000 riders, are primarily formerOrange Line riders who have switched to the Silver Line.

Boardings at the Wiehle-Reston East station havealready exceeded first-year ridership projectionswith 8,400 boardings, or 16,800 weekday entriesand exits. Tysons Corner station, the secondbusiest, has about 5,300 entries and exits onweekdays and is the only station with higherridership on the weekends with approximately7,500 entries and exits.

Encourage your employees to give the new SilverLine a trial run. For more about the Siver Line visit silverlinemetro.com

Breakfast was provided by Dunkin’ Donuts and all carpoolersreceived autographed Redskins footballs tossed to them fromKirk Cousins.

Continued from page 3

The 2015 Employer Recognition Award application is availableonline at www.commuterconnections.org. The Application deadlineis January 31, 2015. Winners will be honored at an event in June2015 and also through an advertisement in a major publication,press releases, newsletter articles, and online atwww.commuterconnections.org.

This annual event recognizes Washington metropolitan regionemployers with outstanding employee commute benefit programs.

Continued on page 4

# Employees 1-100 101-250 251-999 1000+

PRESORTED

FIRST CLASS

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 9770

Washington D.C.

Continued on page 2

Working with Commuter Connections is advantageous to youorganization as we talk to a lot of employers to gather andshare tips on what works, and what doesn’t, to make youremployees’ commuting lives better.

# Employees 1-100 101-250 251-999 1000+

PRESORTED

FIRST CLASS

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 9770

Washington D.C.

Continued on page 2

Working with Commuter Connections is advantageous to youorganization as we talk to a lot of employers to gather andshare tips on what works, and what doesn’t, to make youremployees’ commuting lives better.

% employers offering commute … · reducing traffic congestion and improving employee ... search...

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