A newly approved Commuter Benefits Program requires Bay Area employers with 50 or more full-time employees to offer their employees at least one of four types of commuter benefits. Employers in the following nine Bay Area counties are affected by the requirement and must implement their selected options by September 30, 2014.
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Marin
- Napa
- San Francisco
- Santa Clara
- San Mateo
- Sonoma
- Solano
The goal of the Commuter Benefits Program is to reduce the number of single-occupant commuters by encouraging employees to use public transportation, vanpool, or carpool to get to work.
To comply with program requirements, affected employers must:
1. Designate a Commuter Benefits Coordinator. This is typically the person who handles payroll and benefits.
2. Select at least one of the commuter benefit options:
Option 1: Allow employees to pay their transit or vanpool fare using pre-tax dollars to the maximum allowed by law.
Option 2: Provide a transit or vanpool subsidy of up to $75/month.
Option 3: Provide free or low-cost commuter transportation service for employees.
Option 4: Provide an alternative commuter benefit that is at least as effective as Options 1, 2 or 3 in reducing single occupant vehicles.
3. Submit a registration form to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)/Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) at 511.org.
4. Notify employees of the commuter benefit option to be provided and how to take advantage of it.
5. Update registration information annually.
6. Maintain accurate records of the program and provide program information to the Air District/MTC as requested.
Employer benefits identified from the program include potential payroll tax savings, enhanced employee recruitment, improved employee retention, reduced employee health costs, and reduced employee stress.