Other Employer Services
Once you have established an employee commute baseline through our core services program, you will be able to identify what commute program strategies would be most successful at your worksite. Commute Solutions can help you navigate the many programs that are available to Santa Cruz County employers, both through us and through our partner agencies and other organizations. Some of these include:
Ridematching Assistance
Commute Solutions uses the Greater Bay Area 511 Ridematching system to offer free carpool partner matching services to Santa Cruz County residents and commuters. Log in to the ridematching system to find other commuters with whom you could carpool who share your schedule and same general work and home neighborhoods.
Trip Planning
Call 831.429.POOL to talk to a Commute Solutions commute expert who can help you plan a sustainable commute, whether you want to find bike routes, good walking paths, or figure out the transit schedule.
Vanpool Formation
Commute Solutions provides assistance for employers and employees who wish to form vanpools. There are a myriad of ways to establish and operate vanpools, and Commute Solutions can help you find an option that fits your needs.
Bike Support
The RTC’s Bike Secure program provides businesses and organizations who wish to add bicycle parking to their facilities with a subsidy to offset the cost of bike racks, lockers, or cages.We also publish a color bikeway map that features Santa Cruz County bike paths, lanes, alternate bike routes and topography.
• Santa Cruz County Side (pdf)
• Santa Cruz City Side (pdf)
Telecommuting
Telecommuting is a strategy that more and more employers are implementing in certain areas of their operation. If you are thinking about introducing a telecommuting program at your worksite, talk to Commute Solutions about best practices and about how to set up policies and procedures to ensure high productivity and success with telecommuting. When a crisis hits, having a telecommuting program already in place, can ensure a business continues to operate smoothly in an emergency.
Alternate Work Schedules
By shifting employee commutes away from rush hour, employers allow their employees flexibility, and employees arrive at work less stressed. Compressed work weeks such as 9/80 and 10/40 schedules eliminate commute trips altogether by having employees work their full schedule in fewer days.
Transportation Fringe Benefits
Section 132(f) of the IRS tax code specifies that certain transportation expenses, including transit, vanpools, and parking are eligible for pre-tax paycheck deductions. These deductions can then be used to pay for commuting expenses. A new benefit for reimbursing expenses relating to cycling to work is also available. Taking advantage of Commuter Tax Benefits will save your employees money, reduce your payroll tax obligation, and encourage your employees to take advantage of sustainable transportation options. The programs are similar to flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses although with fewer reporting requirements.
Workplace Presentations
Commute Solutions is available to visit your worksite and present transportation information in a variety of formats. We have delivered customized presentations about CO2 and Climate Change, led groups of employees in carpool-matching games, and staffed information tables at employee wellness, environmental and benefits fairs. We even do instant, on-site carpool matching to help your employees find someone with whom they can share a ride.
Employer Transportation Services
Commute Solutions supports and partners with other transportation providers who work with employers in Santa Cruz County including:
Contact
Commute Solutions
(831) 429-POOL