We'll Get You Home. Guaranteed!

MILLENNIALS: CHANGING THE COMMUTE For subscription information or to change your mailing address, Issue 2, Volume 19 Spring 2015 WHAT’S INSIDE 2 DC Passes Transit contact Commuter Connections at 800.745.RIDE Benefits Ordinance 3 Ridesharing Still Makes Commuter Connections is a publication of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. This program is Sense with Lower Gas Prices funded by the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and U.S. Departments of Transportation and the Federal National Capital Region Highway Administration, under MAP-21. 4 D.C. Adopts Vision Zero for Traffic Deaths A recent study by Goldman Sachs shows Transportation Planning Board For information or to change your mailing address, contact Commuter Connections at 800.745.RIDE, or 5 Millennials: Changing the differences between Millennial Metropolitan Washington Council 202.962.3213 (TDD). We invite your comments and suggestions. Please send to: the Commute lifestyles and that of Generation Xers of Governments Commuter Connections Editor, c/o Commuter Connections, and Baby Boomers. 777 N. Capitol St., NE, Ste. 300 Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments The Commuter Information Source for Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia Washington, D.C. 20002-4290 777 N Capitol St, NE, Ste 300 Washington, D.C. 20002-4290 Printed on recycled paper Millennials are a group of 92 million or e-mail us at [email protected]. Commuter Connections © SPRING 2015 Americans born between 1980 and 800.745.RIDE commuterconnections.org 2000, and differ from their parents and grandparents. Differences include when they plan to get married, how they think about finances, how they consume WE’LL GET YOU HOME. GUARANTEED! media, and how they travel. Commuters that share a ride and take transit, who belong to Millennials have lower income, more HOW ARE MILLENNIALS debt, don’t watch regular television, or the free Guaranteed Ride Home program share peace of mind see page 5 want to buy a car. For employers, CHANGING THE COMMUTE? when they have an emergency and have to get home, or are these characteristics may provide asked to work late. recruitment opportunities. Commuter Connections’ Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program was developed to be a solution to enable commuters According to the study, nearlya third of Millennials do not plan to benefits program to Millennial’s and all employees, go buy a car and are gravitating toward cities where they can use to commuterconnections.org. to leave the car behind. Operated since 1997, GRH is like public transportation, carsharing, ride-sourcing companies such having “commuter insurance”, by providing a way home as Uber and Lyft, taxis, bicycles, and their feet to get around. for qualifying commuters in the case of an unexpected Additionally, according to the study, Millennials tend to be focused personal/family emergency, or unscheduled overtime. “I have been a Commuter Connections member and carpooler on fitness and want bicycling and walking options that include paths Commuters who use alternative commute modes at least for a few years. Over the years, I have heard the radio and trails that access public transportation and provide longer twice a week are provided with up to four free GRH rides advertisement for GRH and thought how it would probably be distance commuting networks. home per year. a hassle to get the ride and there would be so many caveats For employers, the recruitment opportunity lies in providing While GRH is a very beneficial program, many of your that it really would not work. Early in January my son became commute benefits to these prospective employees. An employer employees may not know about this free service. In ill in the morning before school and my wife and I had already that can offer a car-free or car-litelifestyle by encouraging the use Commuter Connections’ 2013 State of the Commute survey, left for work. My wife’s schedule would not permit her to of alternative modes of transportation will have a leg up on the only 23 percent of respondents were aware of a regional return home and I was in the carpool and did not have a car competition for this unique generation. GRH program. that day. I made numerous calls to my neighbors and family to try to arrange care for my son but could not find anyone. To see the entire “MillennialsComing of Age” study, visit For those that know of and have used the GRH program, the Continued on page 2 http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/outlook/millennials/ind reviews are heartfelt and glowing. ex.html. For help promoting your company’s commute Maria N. said that, “with GRH this past year I felt encouraged to commute. I think GRH does great work in…encouraging a community to rideshare and use [of] public transit is vital for

the long term sustainability of the area.”

Washington, D.C. 20002-4290 20002-4290 D.C. Washington, While we get a lot of emails about how much Commuter

777 N. Capitol St., N.E., Suite 300 300 Suite N.E., St., Capitol N. 777 Connections members use and appreciate the service, the

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Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Governments of Council Washington Metropolitan following story from member Roxy Grossnickle sums up exactly

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how GRH works. U.S. POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE U.S.

FIRST CLASS FIRST PRESORTED

5 We’ll get you home. Guaranteed! Continued from front RIDESHARING STILL MAKES SENSE WITH LOWER GAS PRICES D.C. ADOPTS VISION ZERO FOR TRAFFIC DEATHS

I thought of the Commuter Connections radio ad so I looked Reduced congestion, time savings, and stress free commuting To the relief of car owners, gas prices have dropped from an average In order to provide an incentive to use commute alternatives, In March, District of Columbia officials announced that they The campaign uses creative radio and television advertising in on-line at the requirements and my situation fit. I thought I’ll is good for your employees. Help them enjoy their commute of $3.51 per gallon last year to an average of $2.54 per gallon last Commuter Connections offers the ‘Pool Rewards program. would be adopting Vision Zero, a program designed to eliminate English and Spanish to reach drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, give it a try while I have a minute and see if this actually works, by encouraging them to sign up for the free GRH program. month. In some parts of the country, the price per gallon even went Employees who currently drive alone to work and form a new vanpool all traffic fatalities. while targeting them through outdoor and transit advertising on really not being very optimistic that I would be able to get a Commuter Connections is also available to visit your work site under $2.00, prices we haven’t seen in more than five years. may qualify for a $200 monthly incentive. Employees who form a new bus shelters and bus sides. In addition, law enforcement and ride back to my carpool location in Frederick from Bethesda. I and share guidance and background with your employees about carpool, can earn up to $130 cash for each of the new carpool While the specifics of the program have yet to be worked out, local, county and state agencies distributed handouts and tip Many commuters see this and decide that lower gas prices equal called and advised the operator of my situation and requested a all of the free programs Commuter Connections has to offer. members. This allows your employees to try Ridesharing and save Mayor Muriel Bowser said that, “We want to focus on the cards in both English and Spanish to further spread awareness lower commuting costs. While this is true, it is important to realize ride. She said hold please. At this point I am thinking she would money while they commute. engineering of our roadways and facilities. We want to focus on and educate drivers and pedestrians. that the cost of gas is only a part of the true cost of driving. Drivers come back and say that I was not eligible or some similar Visit www.commuterconnections.org for more information, and enforcement efforts and on education efforts. That is how you must consider the cost of maintenance, depreciation, insurance, plus response. The operator came back about two minutes later and to register for the Guaranteed Ride Home program. Commuter Many studies have been done on the cost of time wasted in traffic get streets safer, the three E’s.” As the Vision Zero program progresses, Commuter Connections the stress and time wasted due to traffic congestion. and it’s significant. One of the many great benefits of vanpooling and said, I would be contacted by a driver shortly. I was shocked! Connections, we’ll get you home. Guaranteed! will offer updates on how the region is advancing its work to The Washington Area Bicyclist Association also emphasized the With my negative expectation I ask how long should I expect carpooling is the opportunity to use the HOV lanes and avoid sitting ensure safe streets and travel. How much are your employees really paying to drive? Owning and importance of the program’s implementation if the goal of zero until I am contacted. She said 15 minutes. Within five minutes I in traffic. operating a car is very costly and Commuter Connections has made it deaths is to be achieved. The group’s director, Shane Farthing, was called and I think within 20 minutes of saying goodbye to simple to determine your employee’s cost of driving. It’s easy, they Commuter Connections makes is easy to find fellow commuters said all safety improvements should be on the table. “We need to the operator I was picked up by the taxi. I almost did not have can visit www.commuterconnections.org, enter daily round trip to ride with through a regional ridematching system and look at speeds. We need to look at design, responses to crashes, time to close up my work and let the appropriate people know I commute mileage, number of days per month commuting, and cost mobile app. Sharing the ride has never been easier and despite enforcement and behaviors that would prevent distracted was leaving. I was picked-up taken to my carpool location and of parking and/or tolls. The resulting response will provide an lower gas prices, still makes sense! driving,” Farthing said. was back to my home before 11am. I am truly impressed with estimated monthly and yearly cost of owning and driving an average this service and very grateful that it is offered.” vehicle. The information will give your employees a general sense of Visit www.commuterconnections.org to see all of the ways to help Farthing stressed Vision Zero is not about regulation of one the cost of driving as it relates to commuting to and from work. your employees enjoy the savings and reduced stress that comes mode of travel versus another, but instead determining what Time and time again, Commuter Connections hears from Chances are it’s far more than they ever imagined. with sharing the ride. causes crashes in the first place, especially at the District’s commuters that have used the free GRH service and can’t largest, most complex intersections. believe how easy and helpful it is, and how it makes them more Astute commuters know that driving a car alone to work can comfortable sharing a ride. Registration is easy; employees literally deteriorate one’s health. From the stress of dealing with Vision Zero ties in with the Metropolitan Washington Council of simply need to visit www.commuterconnections.org and create congestion to the hassle of parking, the true cost is more than Governments’ (COG) Street Smart campaign. a user account. Once they are registered, getting a free ride money. Commuter Connections prompts commuters to remember home is just a phone call away at 800 745-RIDE. that even with lower gas prices, using commute alternatives still Sponsored by COG and the National Capital Region makes sense from a healthy mind and body standpoint as well as Transportation Planning Board and started 13 years ago, the For more information about the Street Smart campaign, visit financially, due to the hidden costs of driving. Street Smart campaign is a cooperative effort by local, state, www.bestreetsmart.net. DC PASSES TRANSIT BENEFITS ORDINANCE and federal agencies to reduce the number of pedestrian and In the Washington DC region, traffic congestion is a given for those bicyclist injuries and deaths in the region. who choose to drive alone. Vanpooling, carpooling, and transit use Late last year the Council of the District of Columbia amended Employees will have their transit pass or commuting costs reduce the number of vehicles on the roadways making everybody’s the city’s Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008 to allow for paid by their employer up to $130 a month for transit and commute just a little bit better. And, if you Rideshare or take transit, greater expansion of employer provided transit benefits. vanpool and up to $20 for bicycling. all you’ve got to do is sit back and leave the driving to someone else. DC PASSES TRANSIT BENEFITS ORDINANCE Continued from page 2 Effective January 1, 2016, the ordinance will require 3. Employer-provided transportation at no cost to the companies with more than 20 employees to provide one of employee in a vanpool or bus operated by or for the Employees that are offered commuter services and benefits three transit benefit programs to their employees. The employer – This can include vanpools or shuttles from Metro from their employer are less likely to drive alone and more ordinance calls for: stations, Park-and-Rides, or anywhere else that employees likely to use public transportation, and Rideshare. This reduces are commuting from. road congestion, lowers the employee’s taxable income, lowers 1. An employee-paid pre-tax election benefits program that the employer’s payroll taxes, and helps employers recruit and provides commuter highway vehicle, transit, or bicycling Other cities such as San Francisco and New York have passed retain employees. benefits – Employees will have the option to set aside $130 similar ordinances that have proved very effective. each month in pre-tax funds through a paycheck deduction For more information on the new ordinance, and how you can for transit or vanpool expenses or $250 per month for “We have seen the success of similar ordinances, such as the prepare for it, visit www.godcgo.com and enter Commuter parking expenses. San Francisco Commuter Benefits ordinance, and believe this Transit Ordinance in the search box. is smart public policy that saves money for employers and 2. An employer-paid benefit program whereby the employer employees,” said Dan Neuburger, president of WageWorks supplies, at the election of the employee, a transit pass to Commuter Services. “Local elected officials are doing their part the public transit system or reimbursement of vanpool or to help working Americans and their employers.” bicycling costs equal to the cost of the transit pass – Continued on page 4

2 3 4 We’ll get you home. Guaranteed! Continued from front RIDESHARING STILL MAKES SENSE WITH LOWER GAS PRICES D.C. ADOPTS VISION ZERO FOR TRAFFIC DEATHS

2 3 4 MILLENNIALS: CHANGING THE COMMUTE For subscription information or to change your mailing address, Issue 2, Volume 19 Spring 2015 WHAT’S INSIDE 2 DC Passes Transit contact Commuter Connections at 800.745.RIDE Benefits Ordinance 3 Ridesharing Still Makes Commuter Connections is a publication of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. This program is Sense with Lower Gas Prices funded by the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and U.S. Departments of Transportation and the Federal National Capital Region Highway Administration, under MAP-21. 4 D.C. Adopts Vision Zero for Traffic Deaths A recent study by Goldman Sachs shows Transportation Planning Board For information or to change your mailing address, contact Commuter Connections at 800.745.RIDE, or 5 Millennials: Changing the differences between Millennial Metropolitan Washington Council 202.962.3213 (TDD). We invite your comments and suggestions. Please send to: the Commute lifestyles and that of Generation Xers of Governments Commuter Connections Editor, c/o Commuter Connections, and Baby Boomers. 777 N. Capitol St., NE, Ste. 300 Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments The Commuter Information Source for Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia Washington, D.C. 20002-4290 777 N Capitol St, NE, Ste 300 Washington, D.C. 20002-4290 Printed on recycled paper Millennials are a group of 92 million or e-mail us at [email protected]. Commuter Connections © SPRING 2015 Americans born between 1980 and 800.745.RIDE commuterconnections.org 2000, and differ from their parents and grandparents. Differences include when they plan to get married, how they think about finances, how they consume WE’LL GET YOU HOME. GUARANTEED! media, and how they travel. Commuters that share a ride and take transit, who belong to Millennials have lower income, more HOW ARE MILLENNIALS debt, don’t watch regular television, or the free Guaranteed Ride Home program share peace of mind see page 5 want to buy a car. For employers, CHANGING THE COMMUTE? when they have an emergency and have to get home, or are these characteristics may provide asked to work late. recruitment opportunities. Commuter Connections’ Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program was developed to be a solution to enable commuters According to the study, nearlya third of Millennials do not plan to benefits program to Millennial’s and all employees, go buy a car and are gravitating toward cities where they can use to commuterconnections.org. to leave the car behind. Operated since 1997, GRH is like public transportation, carsharing, ride-sourcing companies such having “commuter insurance”, by providing a way home as Uber and Lyft, taxis, bicycles, and their feet to get around. for qualifying commuters in the case of an unexpected Additionally, according to the study, Millennials tend to be focused personal/family emergency, or unscheduled overtime. “I have been a Commuter Connections member and carpooler on fitness and want bicycling and walking options that include paths Commuters who use alternative commute modes at least for a few years. Over the years, I have heard the radio and trails that access public transportation and provide longer twice a week are provided with up to four free GRH rides advertisement for GRH and thought how it would probably be distance commuting networks. home per year. a hassle to get the ride and there would be so many caveats For employers, the recruitment opportunity lies in providing While GRH is a very beneficial program, many of your that it really would not work. Early in January my son became commute benefits to these prospective employees. An employer employees may not know about this free service. In ill in the morning before school and my wife and I had already that can offer a car-free or car-litelifestyle by encouraging the use Commuter Connections’ 2013 State of the Commute survey, left for work. My wife’s schedule would not permit her to of alternative modes of transportation will have a leg up on the only 23 percent of respondents were aware of a regional return home and I was in the carpool and did not have a car competition for this unique generation. GRH program. that day. I made numerous calls to my neighbors and family to try to arrange care for my son but could not find anyone. To see the entire “MillennialsComing of Age” study, visit For those that know of and have used the GRH program, the Continued on page 2 http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/outlook/millennials/ind reviews are heartfelt and glowing. ex.html. For help promoting your company’s commute Maria N. said that, “with GRH this past year I felt encouraged to commute. I think GRH does great work in…encouraging a community to rideshare and use [of] public transit is vital for