TransitChek News

Wrangling Over Transportation Funding May Harm Economy's Recovery, Experts at Forum Warn

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

From Philly.com (2/3/12) by Paul Nussbaum

With Washington deadlocked over funding for the nation's highwaysand transit systems, several transportation experts warned Thursday at a forumin Philadelphia that continued wrangling could jeopardize the nation'srecovering economy.

"Even a catastrophedoesn't seem to bring it home," said Peter J. "Jack" Basso,chief operating officer of the American Association of State Highway andTransportation Officials. He cited the 2007 collapse of an interstate highwaybridge in Minneapolis, which he said brought only momentary attention to thestate of America's transportation system.

Noting that partisan debates in Washington have blocked along-term national transportation policy since 2009, Basso said, "Theprocess is sinking the ship."

Basso was one of fourtransportation panelists at the National Constitution Center.

New Jersey TransportationCommissioner James Simpson said more transportation decisions should be made bystates, with fewer federal restrictions on how money is spent. He defended Gov.Christie's controversial decision to cancel a multibillion-dollar rail-tunnelproject between North Jersey and New York City as too expensive.

Joshua Schank, president of theWashington-based Eno Transportation Foundation, said "money makes all thedifference in the world" and suggested the United States should rely lesson the gasoline tax for its transportation funding.

Martin Wachs, a seniorprincipal researcher at the RAND Corp. in California, lamented that despite thevitriol in Washington, "the public doesn't seem to understand what isgoing on."

The panel met as a Housetransportation committee was putting the final touches on a $260 billion,five-year transportation-funding bill that drew fire from both ends of thepolitical spectrum.

Democrats complained that theRepublican-controlled committee was shortchanging mass transit in favor ofhighways and gutting programs to protect the environment.

And the Club for Growth, afree-market, anti-tax group influential with tea party Republicans, told Housemembers that it opposed the bill because it spends too much money and vowed toinclude the bill as a key vote in its congressional scorecard.

Also Thursday, the House Waysand Means Committee proposed a transportation-financing plan that wouldeliminate an agreement in place since the Reagan administration that dividesgas-tax revenues between highway and transit programs.

Currently, 2.86 cents of the18.4 cents-per-gallon federal gas tax goes to buses, subways, and commuter raillines. Eliminating that dedicated source of funds and replacing it with aone-time transfer of funds, as the GOP plan proposes, would leave transitprograms vulnerable in future budget fights as Congress looks to reduce overallspending.

Basso said that transportationfunding used to be relatively non-ideological, and that the current fight hascreated "the most tension I've ever seen" in his 48 years in theindustry.

The panel was cosponsored bythe University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government as the first in aseries of public-issue discussions in honor of the institute's 75thanniversary.

Former Chamber Prez New Transportation Group Director

2012-02-07T10:21:00.003-05:00

From The Mercury, By Gretchen Metz (1/27/12)
EAST WHITELAND — P. Timothy Phelps was named executive director of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County.
The former executive director of a number of chambers of commerce in the Philadelphia suburbs, Phelps is the second executive director of TMACC, a nonprofit that serves as liaison between public sector transportation agencies and the private sector on transportation issues affecting the Chester County business community.
“Tim (Phelps) brings a wealth of experience to TMACC, which will ensure its growth,” said Steve Moore, TMACC chairman. “Tim’s presence will benefit the organization in the years to come.”
Moore said Phelps was the unanimous pick by TMACC’s board. He began his new position on Jan. 3.
“We’re looking for great things out of him,” Moore said, such as partnerships with other TMAs, growing membership and providing services to members.
“This is a new beginning,” Moore said.
TMACC was established in 1992.
Michael E. Herron was executive director for 19 years until his retirement in late 2011.
The 68-year-old Herron, of East Goshen, said he acquired quite a bit of experience in all aspects of transportation during his time at TMACC.
“I’m well aware of what’s going on and have solid ideas about transportation,” said Herron, who doesn’t seem ready to settle into retirement. “I’d like to get back into the breach to really help in finding funds to help improve public transportation and highway systems.”
Herron described his years at TMACC as a “tremendous experience” and an opportunity to meet a lot of “great people” including state and federal legislators, several governors and county commissioners.
“I will miss them,” said Herron, who currently teaches public speaking and introduction to mass media at Delaware County Community College.
“He did a great job at TMACC,” Moore said, adding that Herron was with TMACC for a “very, very long time” and the organization is appreciative of that.
In his role as executive director, Phelps will serve as a bipartisan advocate on local and regional transportation issues; grow TMACC membership and engage the members and community to fulfill TMACC’s mission, goals, and objectives; oversee the financial management of TMACC; and develop and monitor the strategic plan of TMACC.
“Chester County is interesting,” said Phelps, 44. “There are folks who need public transportation to get to work and because Chester County is affluent, there are people who want to get into their vehicle and drive to work on their own time, but not sit in traffic.”
There are people who live in western Chester County and work in Great Valley, people who live in southern Chester County who work in West Chester, and people who live in eastern Chester County and travel west, Phelps explained.
“I want to connect people in the right way,” said Phelps, resident of East Whiteland.
Phelps said he foresees working together with other organizations such as the Chester County Planning Commission, SEPTA, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Delaware Valley Regional Transportation Authority and neighboring GVF TMA in Upper Merion as key to success.
“It’s all about collaboration,” Phelps said.
From 2008 to 2010, Phelps was president of the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce in Pottstown, where he also served as executive director of the chamber’s subsidiaries, the Pottstown Area Industrial Development Corp., and the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
In these roles, he provided a voice for the business community along the Route 422 and Route 100 corridors.
Phelps also served as vice president of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce (2006-2008), and vice president of development for Junior Achievement of Delaware Valley (2005-2006). From 2000 to 2005, he was president of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester.

DRPA Committee Revives Glassboro-to-Camden Rail Study

2012-02-02T10:02:00.000-05:00

After a two-year delay, a study of a proposedcommuter rail line between Glassboro and Camden is moving again - with the samecontractor and about the same price tag as before.

A committee of the Delaware River Port Authority board on Wednesdayapproved an $8.2 million contract for an environmental impact study of theproposed 18-mile light-rail line. If approved by the full DRPA board, the contract would be paid for by NJTransit, although the DRPA would oversee the work.The environmental-impact study would be done by STV Inc., an engineeringand architectural firm headquartered in Douglassville, Pa. It would take abouttwo years. STV was awarded a no-bid $8.9 million contract to do the study in July2009. The firm did about $450,000 worth of work before the study was halted bythe new Christie administration, which objected to the lack of competitivebidding for the project and ordered it put out for bid.

The proposed $1.6 billion light-rail line would run alongside an existingConrail freight line through Glassboro, Pitman, Mantua, Wenonah, Woodbury,Deptford, West Deptford, Westville, Bellmawr, Brooklawn, Gloucester City, andCamden.

It would connect to PATCO and River Line trains at the Walter RandTransportation Center in Camden, where passengers could catch trains toPhiladelphia or Trenton.The first leg of the line, from Camden to Woodbury, could be operationalin about five years if financing is available, DRPA officials have said. But that's a big if.

The DRPA has said it won't pay to build or operate the light-rail line,and NJ Transit has not committed to paying for it, either.Jeff Nash, the Camden County freeholder who is vice chairman of the DRPAand the chairman of the agency's finance committee, said tollpayers on DRPA'sfour toll bridges should not be expected to pay for "a project that willbe constructed and operated, directly or indirectly, by New JerseyTransit."

Also on Wednesday, the finance committee approved the first step towardconstruction of a bicycle and pedestrian ramp on the Camden side of the BenFranklin Bridge.The panel approved a plan to spend about $350,000 to design the ramp,which is expected to be built by early 2014.

The $3.2 million ramp would replace a steep staircase with 39 steps thatis not handicapped-accessible. The Philadelphia side has a gently ascendingsidewalk that leads to the bridge's walkway.

Late last year, the DRPA removed money for building the ramp from its2012 budget. But, after objections from cyclists, community groups,Pennsylvania auditor general Jack Wagner (who is a DRPA board member), and bothof New Jersey's U.S. senators, the DRPA reconsidered.

The agency will seek $1 million for the ramp through the Delaware ValleyRegional Planning Commission and the William Penn Foundation, said DRPA chiefexecutive John Matheussen.

In other business, the finance committee sent to the full board a plan toreduce the financial burden on the deeply indebted DRPA.The plan calls for spending about $100 million to pay off high-interestdebt, reduce costs associated with "interest-rate swap option"agreements, and reduce future costs for retired employees' health benefits.The moves are designed to help reduce the agency's financing costs, as itprepares to borrow more money.

The DRPA must borrow about $350 million this year to continue to fund itslong-term capital budget for such things as bridge repairs and refurbishedPATCO railcars. That will bring DRPA's total debt to about $1.7 billion.

from philly.com (2/2/12)

by: Paul Nussbaum

Embark Provides Quick Access to Public Transportation Directions and Advisories for Major Cities

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

The following is an article from Lifehacker (1/25/12)

Android and iPhone: Embark is not just one app, but rather a series of apps that provide simple and straightforward public transportation directions and related information, like advisories, on your smartphone. They're simple, fast, and really useful whether you're exploring a new city or just need to know how to get around the one you live in.

There are a lot of apps that can give you public transportation directions, but Embark offers a couple of neat features of its own. Most notably, it'll alert you of any advisories relevant to the trip you're making. These advisories can be sent as push notifications so you don't miss them when the app is closed. It provides very detailed directions, which show you the most important information you need to know while allowing you to expand that information as well. For example, tapping on a subway stop can expand it to show all the stops in between. If you're trying to find where to go, you can search for that destination and Embark will suggest possible locations. You can also tap on the map to find detailed information about a specific spot. Overall, it's a really hassle-free way to get directions via public transit and stay abreast of any problems along the way.

Embark offers apps for a number of cities, including Chicago, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington D.C., London, and now Boston. All cities are available for iPhone and some for Android, and some cities have multiple apps to cover different transit systems. You can get any city on any platform for free right now from their respective app stores. A full listing is available on Embark's web site.

Philadelphia Freedom: SEPTA Promises, SEPTA Delivers

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

The following is an blog post written by Deron Lovaa, a staff member of NRDC ( Natural Resources Defense Council). The blog can be found here. (1/24/12)

The week before last Rob Perks and I trekked up to Philadelphia and met with (among others) the executive director and several staff members of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to learn about the organization’s sustainability efforts. I’d heard good things about them and came away even more impressed than I’d expected. And spending a couple of days there was liberating. Unlike some other cities, there are many choices for getting around town: Rail, bus, subway, driving, walking you name it, Philly's got it.

A quasi- public agency that took over the bankrupt companies that ran the Philadelphia area’s public transportation system in the previous century, SEPTA has been increasingly focusing on sustainability for at least the last decade. In 2002, it bought 472 hybrid electric powered buses even though its calculations indicated they would produce a net loss on a traditional ROI (return-on-investment) basis. The authority decided that the sum total of the longer-range economic, environmental and social benefits that could not be easily quantified and put into the financial calculation – what is now being called SROI (Sustainable ROI) – justified the expense.

In the ensuing years, the authority’s appreciation for its role in the entire region’s sustainability – from an environmental, economic, and social point of view – has steadily grown. In 2009, that appreciation culminated in the announcement of its Sep-Tainable initiative, a commitment to focusing on making its own operations sustainable and participating in other regional efforts to achieve sustainability.

Until recently, Septa’s ridership had declined for decades, initially as a result of regional sprawl that made public transit unviable for many residents, and then more recently as a result of the recession. As job losses that contributed to reduced ridership were not significantly reversed and budget shortfalls continued, the authority was faced with trying to get through the lean period while its services and infrastructure deteriorated.

Instead, it decided that becoming sustainable itself could not wait until outside circumstances changed. On the contrary, it decided that making itself sustainable under existing conditions was necessary for its own revival, would in turn contribute to the region’s vitality, which would in turn further buoy the authority’s viability.

Sep-Tainable is based on the principal that the authority’s and the region’s economic, social, and environmental sustainability are inextricably intertwined – that progress in one area produces benefits in the others and backtracking in one area contributes to regression in another. So, for example, a thriving public transit authority provides jobs for thousands of local residents, makes it easier for people to get to work throughout the region, cuts down on vehicle miles travelled, making the transportation system less clogged and more efficient. This in turn promotes the recentralization of the urban center, reduces the isolation of elderly people stranded in the suburbs, draws people and businesses to the region for its efficiency creating more demand for public transit. And all of this yields lower air pollution thereby making the work force and everyone else healthier,

Sep-Tainable’s objectives are encapsulated in 12 goals which the authority aims to achieve by 2015. Those goals encompass everything from reducing greenhouse gases, water use, and waste to providing greater access to local food, developing its own work force as well as improving the public transportation infrastructure.

Sep-Tainable is designed to integrate not only with the authority’s 5-year strategic business plan but also with the sustainability commitment of the American Public Transportation Authority (APTA). NRDC recently became an APTA member and we look forward to being actively involved. And in fact this summer APTA will be holdings its Sustainability & Public Transportation Workshop in Philadelphia. SEPTA accomplishments and initiatives will provide an inspiring backdrop for what are likely to be some thought-provoking discussions.

Paying For Public Transit In Philadelphia: As Simple As Tapping A Credit Card Or Waving A Smartphone

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

From Business Wire on (1/24/12)

Riding on any Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) vehicle soon won’t require passes, farecards, tokens or cash. As part of a $122.2 million contract with ACS, A Xerox Company (NYSE: XRX), passengers will instead be able to digitally pay their fare with a quick tap or wave of their “contactless” credit or debit card or even their smartphone. SEPTA will be one of the first in the country to offer riders the ability to travel and pay this way.

“This next generation payment system will offer an extraordinary level of convenience, speed and accuracy for customers,” said SEPTA general manager Joseph M. Casey.Passengers riding any of the buses, subways, trolleys or the regional rail trains on the SEPTA system will be able to use this modernized open payment fare collection system. During the three-year implementation, ACS will design, install, integrate and operate one of the country’s most sophisticated transit payment technology systems. The contract also includes two five-year options for continued operations.

The new system will allow passengers to pay their fares using a card many already have in their wallets. It will be more secure due to strict banking industry standards, and more convenient and simpler than fare payment options available elsewhere. It also will allow for seamless travel throughout the entire SEPTA network and provide the capability for future integration with other transit authorities in the region.

For the first time ever, the New Payment Technology will provide SEPTA with precise, real-time business intelligence on all services with the ability to better manage resources, modify services and respond to customer needs.

“This new system will allow commuters to spend more time where they want to be and less time getting there or waiting in line,” said Dave Amoriell, chief operating officer, Transportation and Local Government Solutions, ACS.

Working with New Jersey Transit, The Metropolitan Transit Authority (NY) and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, ACS, was the first to demonstrate that complex, regional fare collection systems can accept regular contactless credit and debit cards. Rider satisfaction surveys showed the majority of riders liked the new payment technology and most preferred it over the current cash, coin, and ticket-based transit payment system.

The ACS team consists of local partners including PRWT, which will provide customer care support; Parsons Transportation Group, which will provide design, engineering and construction support services; and Temple University, which is conducting software development.

ACS systems and services are used by more than 1,000 municipal, regional and national operators in 400 cities worldwide to run more than 150,000 pieces of equipment that enables 50 million passengers per day to use buses, trolleys, tramways and trains. ACS-deployed solutions include more than 50,000 smart card readers on buses, faregates, turnstiles, and other fare collection devices. ACS is the largest provider of transportation services to governments worldwide, with projects in 35 countries.

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TransitChekhas been communicating with SEPTA at each stage to make sure our stored valuecard is compatible with SEPTA’s new fare collection system.

Philadelphia Population Continues to Grow

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

From iradiophilly (1/19/12)

After 50 years of declining population, Philadelphia has seen a significant rebound and the future looks bright. According to new population projections from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the nine-county region will be home to 6.26 million people by 2040, an 11.3 percent increase over the 2010 population of 5.63 million.

Chester and Gloucester are likely to be the fastest-growing counties in the region over the next three decades, while Philadelphia is poised to continue its recent rebound from a half-century of decline.

The planning commission relies on population projections to help it direct federal funding for highway, transit, and other regional projects. The agency is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation to update its long-range plans every four years, and the new population projections are part of that effort.

PATCO is Pleased to Promote a New Phone Application

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Anapp developer volunteered to create a phone application for our FREEDOM To SavePROGRAM. Vidappe ["Vid-app"] is a free iPhone/Android app that willalert all the PATCO FREEDOM Card holders about discounts they can usein real-time. This new mobile app will let people know about all the eligiblediscounts. Get close to a discount; get an alert -i.e. "20% off at BistroSt. Tropez a block away." Check it out at Vidappe.com to download theapplication. It's that simple. Then start receiving real-time pushnotifications whenever you are near any FREEDOM To Save participating business.In the near future, other app developers can look for additional information tosubmit apps on our website.

from PATCO's E-News

Meet the 101-year-old SEPTA rider

2012-01-19T09:47:00.001-05:00

PHILADELPHIA - January 17, 2012 (WPVI) --

ABCLocal

SEPTA paid tribute to its oldest rider, today. At age 101, Margaret Bringhurst loves to travel and she's been riding SEPTA for more than eight decades.Margaret's been riding SEPTA free with her Medicare card, but her daughter thought it was about time she had her own senior transit ID card."I like anything free. I don't care what it is. Give it to me free. I'll take it," Margaret said.

So SEPTA officials came to the Sunrise Assisted Living Center on Ridge Pike this morning to present her senior card in person."On a daily basis we have over 80,000 seniors that take our system and for someone over a hundred years old, I just think that's great," SEPTA General Manager Joe Casey said.

Margaret began taking the train from her home in West Chester to nursing school at Misericordia Hospital in 1929.

Also in 1929, Margaret began making trips to Atlantic City with her girlfriends."I like to win money," Margaret said.

She told Action News about growing up on a farm with nine brothers."I was a female with nine boys and baby, I could take care of myself," Margaret said.

How did she feel about today's visit?

"Have you ever fainted? That's how I feel," she said.

She said she felt fortunate to be so mobile, but had one question for SEPTA.

"Can I fly free?" Margaret asked.

Margaret turns 102 years old in a few months, but age certainly hasn't slowed her down much.

SEPTA's Senior Transit Program is funded through the state's lottery program. Seniors over age 65 ride for free and pay only a dollar to ride the regional rails.

Congressional Inaction on Extending Commuter Benefits Will Cost Commuters and Small Businesses Unless Action is Taken, According to Edenred

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

From Market Watch (1/10/2012):

Millions of transit riders and tens of thousands of businesses will see their taxes go up in 2012 because Congress was unable to pass legislation to maintain parity between the transit and parking benefits. At the end of 2011, the transit and parking benefits were set at a monthly cap of $230 per month. However, beginning January 1st, 2012, transit riders saw their benefit cut nearly in half (down to $125/month) while individuals who park saw their benefits increase to $240 a month. This means that Americans with the longest and most expensive commutes watched their tax liabilities increase up to $500 for 2012. At the same time, small businesses and corporations that offer these very popular pre-tax transit benefit programs to their employees will see their tax liability increase by thousands of dollars.

As an example, a schoolteacher living in Bucks County, Pennsylvania takes the West Trenton line from Yardley into Center City Philadelphia. His monthly trail pass is $191 a month. His annual salary is just above $54,000. The transit benefit helps him save almost a $100 a month in Federal and state taxes. Without parity, the taxes he pays on salary used for commuting will increase well over $400 in 2012.

"Failing to enact legislation to maintain parity essentially supports a policy which taxes transit riders and provides a financial incentive for people to leave transit and drive to work, further congesting already busy roads," said Gerard Bridi, President and CEO of Edenred USA, the leading full service provider of commuter benefits.

Washington, DC's Metro transit system recently indicated that it expects peak commuting ridership to drop 2.8% because of this Congressional inaction. Most of its commuters live in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs and thus have the longest and most expensive commutes. This could result in more highway congestion as well as loss of revenue to Metro.

"Not only does this inaction have an impact on individuals, but also the employers who offer it. We estimate that last year, employers that provided the transit benefit saved nearly $300 million in payroll taxes. This money is used to retain as well as hire workers. Failure to maintain parity hurts those employers who offer the transit benefit and in essence punishes them with increased payroll taxes," Bridi added.

Finally, failing to establish parity may hurt rural commuters the most. The transit benefit is not only used by those who ride commuter rail or buses, but also by thousands of vanpool users. In many parts of the country, vanpooling is the only mode of public transportation. The costs of vanpooling generally exceed $125/month and a reduction in the transit benefit hurts those individuals the most.

"I want to thank Congressman McGovern, Senator Schumer and all those who worked to preserve parity at the end of last year. When Congress returns to work on January 23, I am hopeful that they will do what is necessary to correct this situation and will extend parity," concluded Bridi.

Retrofitting the Suburbs to Increase Walking

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

The following is an excerpt from Access: The Magazine of UCTC

During the last half of the 20th century, cities and towns across America were built primarily for one transportation mode: the automobile. Much of this development occurred on the urban periphery, creating the suburbs that are now home to more Americans than either traditional central cities or small towns. Today, while federal transportation policies and urban planners have shifted toward promoting a more multimodal form of development, the legacy of the postwar era remains: thousands of suburban neighborhoods poorly served by any mode of transportation other than the automobile.

Researchers have spilled much ink debating the feasibility of alternatives to car travel, but have focused less on how suburbs built for the car might be transformed to accommodate other modes. Seven years ago, communities in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County decided to focus on this question. They found that walking is the gateway mode for alternative transportation. The 2009 National Household Travel Survey shows that 10 percent of all trips in the US are taken on foot. Relatedly, an American Public Transportation Association analysis of over 150 on-board transit surveys from 2000 to 2005 showed that walking is the access mode for about 60 percent of all transit trips.

Walking travel and land use patterns vary substantially within the South Bay. Analyzing the correlates of walking in that area provides insight into ways to retrofit auto-oriented suburbs for more pedestrian travel.

To view the rest of the article please click here.

Transit Tax Break Falls, Driving Benefit Goes Up

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

From NewsWorks (1/03/2012)

It doesn't seem like the most intuitive move right now: cutting incentives for public transit while raising the rewards for driving to work.

The same changes are affecting transit riders across the country after Congress allowed transit pre-tax benefits to be cut in half. Advocates fear that could dissuade commuters from taking the train.

Starting this month, the amount SEPTA riders can set aside in pre-tax dollars to buy transit passes goes down from $230 to $125 a month.

"The people that are going to see an impact on this are the people that are living out in the suburbs," says Jen Scimone, who works in SEPTA's sales department. Since suburban train commuters pay the highest fares--monthly passes can be $191 a month--they'll be forced to dip into their funds after taxes.

More than 1,200 employers work with SEPTA to offer the benefit.

Enrollment in the pre-tax program went way up in Philadelphia when the benefit was high. Now, she said, recruiting new participants could be more difficult.

Geoff Anderson, president and CEO of Smart Growth for America, says the public transit benefit was briefly on par with breaks to pay to park at work. That benefit went up this year from $230 to $240.
"I think everything is sort of under budget scrutiny right now," says Anderson. What we can afford is "certainly a legitimate question, but then I'd ask it about subsidies for all the different forms of transportation."
The transit incentive went up as part of the federal stimulus, and Congress extended the benefit again last year.

Anderson says this year, the extension was sidelined in Washington during arguments over the payroll tax. He says advocates for the transit benefits will lobby to make them part of the next payroll tax extension bill, which comes up in February.

NJ Transit Renews and Expands Commitment to DriveCam

2012-01-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

From Market Watch Today (1/4/2012):

SAN DIEGO, Jan 04, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DriveCam Inc., a global Driver Risk Management Company, today announced that NJ TRANSIT has signed a two-year contract to expand DriveCam's Managed Services Program across its entire fleet of vehicles.

"By expanding DriveCam's video-based solution throughout NJ TRANSIT's entire fleet, we are demonstrating our commitment to enhancing the safety and security of customers and employees alike," commented Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman, James Simpson. In addition to achieving a 54% reduction in collisions since launching the DriveCam Program, NJ TRANSIT has seen the frequency of risky driving events per vehicle decrease by 91% and the use of cell phones decrease by 69%.

DriveCam addresses the causes of poor driving by combining data and video analytics with real-time driver feedback and coaching, resulting in reductions in collision-related costs and fuel consumption. This is accomplished using DriveCam's Driver Science Engine, a classification model that assists in predicting the riskiest drivers within a fleet. Through a patented, iterative process of scoring, prioritizing and tracking the results of driving behaviors, this model identifies those behaviors that will most likely lead to a collision and has provided significant savings by helping fleets more effectively manage their drivers. Driving behaviors are captured through in-cab video, which are objectively reviewed and scored and then passed on to the fleet for use in coaching drivers; video provides the objective context for discussion with drivers about their behavior. Fleets, like NJ TRANSIT, manage the DriveCam Program through DriveCam Online(R), a web-based online portal.

Covering a service area of 5,325 square miles, NJ TRANSIT is the nation's third largest provider of bus, rail and light rail transit, linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. The agency operates a fleet of 2,027 buses, 711 trains and 45 light rail vehicles. On 236 bus routes and 11 rail lines statewide, NJ TRANSIT provides nearly 223 million passenger trips each year.

"We are proud to continue our relationship with NJ TRANSIT," commented DriveCam CEO Brandon Nixon. "Their contract renewal and fleet expansion is a direct result of the results they've achieved using DriveCam. As we continue to grow to over 170,000 vehicles and more fleets see results similar to NJ TRANSIT, we know that our driver-focused solution gets drivers home safely and makes their communities a safer place to live."

Congress Adjourns Without Passing Transit Benefit Extension

2012-01-03T10:15:00.003-05:00

From APTA's Passenger Transport newsletter (12/30/2011):

While Congress passed a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut at the eleventh hour just before Christmas, this bill did not include an extension of the public transportation commuter benefit (at the rate of $230 per month per commuter).

Newspapers across the U.S. have taken up the cause of public transit commuters whose monthly transit/vanpool benefit level will revert to $125 per month on Jan. 1, 2012, while the monthly parking benefit will increase to $240.

APTA emphasized that this increased commuting cost will hit the very workers who may need it the most: 70 percent of those who rely on public transit have household incomes from $15,000 to $99,000 a year, according to its latest demographic survey of riders.

“Unless Congress acts, there will be a financial bias in the federal tax code against public transit use,” said APTA President & CEO Michael P. Melaniphy. “We are seeking to maintain parity with the parking benefit to ensure that there isn’t a disincentive to take public transportation.”

“Get out of that bus, train, light rail or subway and drive your car to work! Crowd the roads! Burn the most gasoline possible! Pollute the air!” wrote the Baltimore Sun. “That’s the unmistakable message Congress has sent the nation’s commuters with its recent choice not to maintain a tax parity between those who elect to take public transit to work and those who drive their own vehicles.”

The Sun article continued: “[O]ffering a tax deduction to drivers that is twice the amount offered to transit riders makes no sense whatsoever and certainly doesn’t have much positive impact on the deficit. It’s bad transportation policy, bad economic policy and bad energy and environmental policy …. This stupidity can’t be left to stand.”

The San Francisco Examiner quoted Christine Maley-Grubl, executive director of the Peninsula Congestion Relief Alliance, regarding the comparison between the reduced public transit benefit and the increased parking benefit: “We want people out of their cars so there is less congestion and less impact on our air quality. That’s not going to happen by giving people additional funds for parking.”

Congress may consider the issue when it reconvenes in mid-January, and may incorporate it into the long-term extension of the payroll tax cut that Congress will address in February.

The higher benefit level was implemented as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 and was renewed for one year in 2010. About 250,000 of the approximately 2.7 million commuters who use the public transit credit spend more than $125 per month; most participants in the benefit live in large metropolitan areas.

Before adjournment, 22 members of the Senate—20 Democrats and two Republicans—signed a bipartisan letter to the Senate Finance Committee urging the extension of these benefits at the higher level of $230. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) spearheaded the letter to committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT), which states:

“As you know, in 2009 Congress raised the tax-free benefit that workers could apply toward monthly commuting costs, from $120 per month up to $230 per month, putting transit benefits on par with parking benefits. This important benefit eases the burden of commuting costs on families, relieves congestion, reduces the stress on our highway system and decreases our reliance on foreign oil.”

The letter says the reduced transit benefit level “would represent a significant tax increase for middle-class commuters and their employers, who currently do not have to pay federal payroll taxes on the amount of the benefit.”

The other signers are Sens. John Kerry (D-MA); Barbara Mikulski (D-MD); Joe Lieberman (I-CT); Benjamin Cardin (D-MD); Jeff Merkley (D-OR); Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); Tom Carper (D-DE); Ron Wyden (D-OR); Richard Durbin (D-IL); Charles Schumer (D-NY); Patty Murray (D-WA); Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Chris Coons (D-DE); Tom Udall (D-NM); Daniel Akaka (D-HI); Richard Blumenthal (D-CT); Scott Brown (R-MA); Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY); Mark Kirk (R-IL); Mark Warner (D-VA); and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

On the House side, Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) sent out a “Dear Colleagues” letter calling for more co-sponsors on the bill he introduced in July, the Commuter Benefits Equity Act of 2011, to make parity between transit and parking benefits permanent. The bill currently has 47 co-sponsors, including the 23 original signers.

NY Times Covers Reduction in Transit Benefit

2011-12-07T15:29:00.001-05:00

From the NY Times Bucks Blog, November 29, 2011

Worker Transit Benefits Scheduled to Shrink

If you qualify for pretax transit benefits, you’ll probably see the perk shrink starting in January.
The benefit allows employees to lower their federal tax bill by setting aside pretax money to pay for the cost of taking public transportation (or van pools, in less urban areas) to work. The cap, now $230 a month, was about half that amount until Congress increased it temporarily in 2009. The move put the transit benefit on par with a similar $230-a-month benefit available to help commuters pay for parking.

The maximum parking benefit will become $240 monthly as of Jan. 1, because of an adjustment for inflation. The transit benefit, however, is scheduled to drop to $125 a month, unless Congress acts to extend the higher benefit level or to make it permanent. Roughly 2.7 million people use the transit benefit, according to Commuter Benefits Work for Us, a coalition of transit groups and businesses.

Last year, facing a similar deadline, lawmakers voted to extend the higher level of transit benefits for 2011. But it’s unclear if Congress will take action on the issue before the end of this year, said Scott Bogren, a spokesman for the Community Transportation Association of America, which supports the higher benefit level.

The association and other coalition members are urging those who use public transportation to voice their support for an extension of the higher benefit level on a special Web site.

Do you use the pretax transit benefit? Will the reduction in benefit affect your commuting plans?

This post has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Correction: December 7, 2011
A report in the Best of Bucks column on Saturday about a reduction in federal pretax transit benefits for 2012 misstated the maximum amounts employees can set aside before taxes next year to pay for the cost of parking or taking public transportation to work. The maximum monthly parking benefit, starting in January, is $240, not $230, and the maximum monthly transit benefit will be $125, not $120.

The monthly cap on TransitChek benefits will be expiring at the end of 2011

2011-11-23T12:16:00.001-05:00

Historyof the current cap:At the start of 2009, the IRS increased the monthly cap on transit benefitsfrom $115/mo to $120/mo. When the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act(ARRA) was passed in February, 2009, the monthly cap immediately increased from$120/mo to $230/mo. This dramatic increase took many customers by surprise--allfares on Philadelphiaarea transit providers would now be covered by the new (nearly double) monthlycap!

Part ofthe ARRA language included an expiration date--December 31, 2010--where themonthly cap on commuter benefits (like TransitChek)would revert back to the early 2009 level of $120/month. TransitChek notified all clients of this impendingchange and advised them to update their TransitChekdeductions. In last minute legislation, Congress passed a one-yearextension of the $230/month limit in late December, 2010.

Presentday: It is nowlate-November, and we will see an expiration of the transit benefit at the endof this year. The cap will be reduced to $125/month (see IRS inflationadjustments) at the start of 2012. TransitChek deductions occurring in 2011 can be atthe $230/month level, after January 1, 2012, deductions will need to bereduced. Please plan accordingly. We arein the process of updating our materials on our website (www.GetTransitChek.org) and will have them ready bymid-December.

As a TransitChek client, you are already aware of thebenefits of offering TransitChek: itincreases regional mobility, improves air quality, supports transit andvanpooling, and--most of all--it saves money for both employers and commuters!

Severalmembers of the compensation and employee benefit industry have come together tocreate a website dedicated to preserving the transit portion of the CommuterBenefit: Commuter Benefits Work forUs.com. On this site, you can become familiar with the history ofthe commuter benefit, obtain a stronger understanding of the issues, andlearn how to showyour support of the transit portion of the Commuter Benefit. Learnmore by visiting www.CommuterBenefitsWorkforUs.com.

We arefollowing the news closely on our blog, http://transitchek.blogspot.comand we will post updates there.

Thankyou for your continued support of TransitChek.

Congratulations to our TransitChek Clients!

2011-11-09T14:37:00.000-05:00

Several of our TransitChek clients were honored in October as a part of the Philadelphia Business Journal's Best Places to Work event. We congratulate all of the finalists, especially our TransitChek clients:

American Heritage Credit Union
Anexinet; Gold Winner, Large Company category
Hahnemann University Hospital
Liberty Resources Academy
Main Line Health; Silver Winner, Extra Large Company category
The Graham Company; Bronze Winner, Large Company category

These companies already know TransitChek is virtually cost-free toadminister (it ultimately saves a company money), but it also inherently“green” as the use of public transit improves air quality and reduces trafficcongestion.

The TransitChek program can cut payroll taxes, boost their benefits package, andincrease employee morale—while also helping employees to reduce their transitcosts.

Congratulations to our clients!

Are you aware?

2011-10-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Are you aware that the monthly cap on TransitChek benefits is set to expire at the end of 2011?

History of the current cap: At the start of 2009, the IRS increased the monthly cap on transit benefits from $115/mo to $120/mo. When the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) was passed in February, 2009, the monthly cap immediately increased from $120/mo to $230/mo. This dramatic increase took many customers by surprise--all fares on Philadelphia transit would now be covered by the new (nearly double) monthly cap!

Part of the ARRA language included an expiration date--December 31, 2010--where the monthly cap would revert back to $120/month. We notified all clients of this impending change and advised them to update their TransitChek deductions. To our surprise, Congress passed a one-year extension of the $230/month limit in late December, 2010.

Present day: It is now mid-October, and we are looking at another expiration date for transit benefit at the end of this year. After 2011, the cost of commuting will rise.

As clients, you already know the benefits of offering TransitChek: it increases regional mobility, improves air quality, supports transit and vanpooling, and--most of all--it saves money for both employers and commuters!

On January 1, 2012, employees' TransitChek deductions will be capped at $125/month (see IRS inflation adjustments). This change in the cap reduces employees' Federal Income Tax Savings and FICA savings; employers will also see a decrease in their FICA savings.

Our clients can have an impact on this upcoming deadline. Several members of the compensation and employee benefit industry have come together with a website: Commuter Benefits Work for Us. On this site, you will be able to learn about the history of the commuter benefit, obtain a stronger understanding of the issues, and take action by contacting your elected officials to conserve the $230 monthly cap. Learn more by visiting www.CommuterBenefitsWorkforUs.com.

PATCO encouraging riders to vote on interior of new cars

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

PATCO'S Car Overhaul Project is on the move. We are currently at 60% design review and it's time to decide the new interior look for the cars. We would like to offer you an opportunity to weigh in on the choices. The next page will show six new interior options for our new cars. Please choose your favorite. The voting period will end on October 31, 2011.

Access the survey here: http://conta.cc/nQaaeB

10 Cities Where Workers Most Use Public Transit: Census

2011-09-28T13:05:00.000-04:00

As seen on the Huffington Post, by Harry Bradford, posted 9/25/2011

In such an urbanized country as the United States, it surprises how few of the nation's workers depend on public transport to make their daily commute. For some cities, however, subways and buses still play a critical role.

Only 4.9 percent of all workers in the United States used public transportation in 2010, down from 5 percent in 2009, according to the U.S. Census bureau. And while not all cities invest in public transportation -- defined by the Census as subway, bus, railroad, ferry, streetcar, trolley or elevated rail -- the system remains a central part of the city's economy for many of those that do.

In New York City, for example, nearly a third of the workforce uses public transportation, creating a subway environment in which more than 5 million people ride each day. Smaller towns too find themselves relying on public transit, especially ones with a large college population, such as Ithaca, New York, the smallest town represented in this list, where 8.9 percent of workers use the metro.

To read the full story and see a slideshow of the top 10 cities, click here.

Transit and transportation updates for impending Hurricane Irene

2011-08-26T14:16:00.000-04:00

All information was gathered from Philly.com:

SEPTA suspending operations for Irene

SEPTA will suspend all operations at 12:30 a.m. Sunday because of advancing Hurricane Irene.

The agency says service is not expected to resume until midday Sunday.

SEPTA said it was taking this step "in the interest of public safety."

"SEPTA strongly urges all customers who normally ride the system during this time period to make arrangements to go to your destination well in advance of the storm and be prepared to remain safely at that location until the storm has passed and service has resumed," the agency said.

Christie announces transportation changes for Irene

New Jersey Gov. Christie this afternoon announced the following measures in response to the approach of Hurricane Irene:

The Garden State Parkway will be closed to southbound traffic south of Exit 98 in Monmouth County at 8 p.m. Friday. Vehicles will be detoured to I-195. Tolls have already been suspended on the highway.
Eastbound traffic into Atlantic City will be stopped at 6 p.m. Friday.
Route 47 (Delsea Drive) and Routes 347 in Cape May and Cumberland Counties will be westbound only starting at 6 p.m. Friday.
Route 72 will be westbound only starting at 6 p.m. Friday between Long Beach Island and Route 70.
All NJ Transit rail service will be suspended at noon Saturday.

Delaware closing as Irene moves north

Statement from Del. Gov. Jack Markell (excerpt): "Given the severity of Hurricane Irene, Governor Jack Markell today expanded his mandatory evacuation order to include all persons in coastal areas... Evacuations should be completed before 9 am on Saturday."

Markell expects Hurricane Irene winds on Saturday will force closure of the bridges over the C&D Canal at Delaware 9, Delaware 1 and Delaware 896, just about turning the Delmarva Peninsula into an island. He also expects to shut the Indian River Inlet bridge connecting Ocean City, MD and neighboring resorts with Rehoboth, DE and points north. “People need to reach their destinations well before we reach those closure points on Saturday.”
Here's good news: "Tolls along Route 1 have been suspended to aid in the speed of the coastal evacuation." Alternate routes at www.delaware.gov. Also state government workers (except police and emergency) were sent home at noon.

"All businesses in evacuated areas must be closed by midnight this evening." Police, ambulance, food and fuel deliveries, utility workers and reporters are exempt. No driving ban, because they're trying to get people to move, though a ban could be instituted as "storm conditions make driving unsafe."

PATCO offering limited service on Sunday, August 28th

PATCO has released a schedule showing the departure times for limited trains on Sunday due to the impending weather situation. Please monitor PATCO's Travel Alerts section for updates. A link to the Sunday schedule is available here.

Bike-Sharing Grows Up: New Revenue Models Turn a Nice Idea into Good Business

2011-08-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

by Amy Westervelt, Forbes contributer
August 22, 2011

I grew up in a small southern California town that had a sweet little community bicycle program. All the bikes were yellow, you could find them at various points downtown, and you could take them anywhere so long as you eventually returned them to the downtown area. The program was free and everyone loved it, but eventually it failed. Bikes were stolen, the system was poorly managed and so the program faded away.

Fast-forward to the recent past and every green blog worth its solar-powered servers was celebrating the bike-sharing program in Paris. I remember reading all the stories and thinking, “Good luck, Paris. We tried that in Ojai years ago and it didn’t work.”

Except this time it did. The Paris system is slick in every way: Cool bikes, reasonable prices, excellent placement of stations, and a process that works like a well-oiled machine. Officially launched in 2007, the Paris bike-sharing program today is nearing 50 million unique rides annually. It also spawned a modern wave of bike-sharing, this time done more professionally: Worldwide, there are now 300 other bike-sharing programs modeled after the Parisian system.

In the United States, modern bike-sharing launched with a pilot at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in 2008, which led to an official program there in 2010. The Minneapolis bike-sharing program launched soon after Denver’s, running from mid-summer 2010 through late November. Since then at least a dozen other programs have launched and several more have been announced. Washington D.C.’s program has been successful to the point of creating problems (too many riders, not enough bikes). Portland announced its intention to move forward with a bike-sharing system last week. San Francisco and Chicago are expected to release requests for proposals from bike-sharing companies this year. New York City has narrowed its selection down to two providers and plans to eventually have 50,000 bikes–equal to the number of bikes in the Hangzhou, China bike-sharing program, currently the largest in the world.

These are not the first bike-sharing programs in the United States. There were dozens of community bike-share programs like the one in my small town dotting the country in the 1980s and 1990s. The difference this time around is not just that the bikes are cooler and the systems better planned to create links between transit nodes, but that a few key business ideas have added profit potential to bike-sharing’s allure.

It started with advertising. By selling ad space on the bikes themselves and on bike-sharing stations, bike-sharing providers (sometimes municipal transit authorities, sometimes private companies, sometimes a joint venture between the two) discovered they were able to cover their costs. In some cases advertising combined with subscriptions and per-ride fees began to generate profits.

Raj Janagam, founder of Cycle Chalao! in India, had exactly this experience with his small bike-sharing pilot in Mumbai.

“We did the pilot to test whether people getting out of railway stations would find these bikes to be an easy and faster transport option,” Janagam explains. “Otherwise, they have to wait for a taxi or rickshaw for anywhere from ten minutes to half an hour. In the first month we had 33 subscribers for 30 bikes and we realized we had a profitable model.

Janagam went on to win a contract from Pune City to build and operate India’s first city-wide bike-sharing system there. Last month he received even bigger and better news: India’s Ministry of Urban Development has decided to do a 10-city bike-sharing pilot. The Ministry will provide 80 percent of the upfront funding for the systems to some of the country’s most-populated municipalities, and wants the programs rolled out by the end of the year. Cycle Chalao! will compete to build and operate the systems. Janagam is convinced that by offering advertising across the system, in India’s largest cities, the pilot will be as much a business success as it is a social one.

Of course in India, as in Europe, bike-sharing will likely be subsidized. In Pune City, for example, Janagam says city officials asked Cycle Chalao! to reduce their usual subscription fees in order to encourage ridership and make the system affordable to most people. The city will cover the difference, and Cycle Chalao! will turn a profit by selling advertising.

Read more at Forbes.com.

From the New York Times: Transit Agency Study Finds Fares Up and Service Down

2011-08-24T08:58:00.002-04:00

by Michael Cooper
August 17, 2011

The fare for Atlanta’s trains and buses will jump to $2.50 in October, giving the city one of the more expensive transit systems in the country. In Salt Lake City, rides to Temple Square on the popular light-rail system rose a quarter in May to $2.25, and are scheduled to hit $2.50 in two years. Even San Francisco’s iconic cable cars went up a dollar last month, to $6.

The economic downturn is playing havoc with the nation’s public transit systems even as ridership remains near record levels: since 2010, 71 percent of the nation’s large systems have cut service, and half have raised fares, according to a survey released Wednesday by the American Public Transportation Association, a transit advocacy group.

And in many cases, those fare increases and service cuts — made necessary by flat or reduced state and local aid — are being implemented on top of similar moves earlier in the downturn.

“It’s compounding,” Art Guzzetti, the vice president for policy at the transportation association, said of the repeated years of service cuts and fare increases. “I’ve been in the business 32 years. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs along the way. That’s been the nature of the business. But notwithstanding that, this is the worst it’s been in my time.”

Since 2006, transit systems have been carrying passengers on more than 10 billion trips a year, a level not seen since the 1950s, the association has found. But on average, they get around a third of their operating money from fares. Most of the money comes from state and local governments, and with tax collections still struggling to get back to pre-recession levels, 83 percent of the transit agencies surveyed reported receiving flat or reduced state aid.

Many riders — who are often low-wage workers trying to get to their jobs — are getting hit at the farebox, or are being forced to wait longer for more crowded, dirtier trains and buses as transit agencies cut schedules. .

In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority cut service and raised fares last year: the price of a 30-day pass for subways and buses went up $15 to $104, and while most rides cost $2.25, a single-ticket ride went up to $2.50. Now the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is proposing to raise the fares on its PATH trains to $2.75 from $1.75.

Chicago’s commuter rail line, Metra, recently told its riders that it may have to raise fares by up to 20 percent while cutting two to four trains a day from almost every line.

It explained its bind in a note to riders, which said that the downturn has caused the regional transportation sales tax it relies on to “plummet,” and that it was now on track to take in $350 million less than expected through 2013. The rising cost of diesel fuel, meanwhile, will cost the agency $18.3 million more than expected this year. And the agency warned that it would be dangerous to continue taking money out of its capital budget, which is needed to pay for a much-needed backlog of repairs and improvements, in order to keep its trains running.

“Further depleting the capital budget to pay for operations will only make the problem worse and eventually result in impacts on our service and service delays,” it warned.

The survey by the transportation association, based on data collected in March, was released as many transit advocates are worried that Republicans in Congress are planning to cut federal aid for building highways and transit systems.

The Federal Transit Administration estimated last year that it would take $77.7 billion just to bring the nation’s aging transit systems into “a state of good repair.” But the survey released this week said that many systems are falling further behind.

Three in 10 in the survey said they had put off buying new vehicles. Two in 10 said they had delayed construction projects, and another two in 10 said they delayed maintenance.

Report: Public Transit Saves Riders Money

2011-08-18T10:00:00.000-04:00

From American City and Country
August 8, 2011

Public transit can save its users a lot of money, according to the Washington-based American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) July Transit Savings Report. In some communities, using public transportation can save individuals an average of $9,968 annually and $831 per month, according to the report.

APTA releases its monthly Transit Savings Report to examine how an individual in a two-person household can save money by taking public transportation and living with one less car. The savings given in the most current report are based on the July 14 average national gas price ($3.66 per gallon, reported by AAA) and the national unreserved monthly parking rate, which is $155.22 in downtown business districts, according APTA, citing the 2011 Colliers International Parking Rate Study. Over the course of a year, parking costs for a vehicle can amount to an average of $1,862.64.

"Switching from driving to riding public transportation is a proven way for individuals to cut monthly and yearly transportation costs," according to the APTA press release on the report. "Making the change to public transit today gives individuals the opportunity to lower their transportation costs, without sacrificing their freedom and mobility."

The report ranks the cities with the highest transit ridership in order of their transit savings based on the purchase of a monthly public transit pass, as well as local gas prices and the local monthly unreserved parking rate. The top 10 cities, with monthly and annual savings, are:

1. New York: $1,218 monthly, $14,618 annual
2. Boston: $1,130 monthly, $13,559 annual
3. San Francisco: $1,088 monthly, $13,060 annual
4. Seattle: $995 monthly, $11,936 annual
5. Chicago: $979 monthly, $11,744 annual
6. Philadelphia: $976 monthly, $11,717 annual
7. Honolulu: $939 monthly, $11,268 annual
8. Los Angeles: $893 monthly, $10,712 annual
9. Minneapolis: $890 monthly, $10,678 annual
10. San Diego: $864 monthly, $10,369 annual

Study: Who is Riding Curbside Buses, and Should Amtrak Worry?

2011-08-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

by Alex Goldmark, Transportation Nation
August 1, 2011

After 40 years of retrenchment, the bus industry is making a comeback — in a big way, according to research from DePaul University. As we’ve reported before, discount curbside buses are currently the fastest growing mode of intercity transportation in the U.S. A new survey released Monday finds that bus passengers are overwhelmingly young, and they are being diverted from rail, even more than they are from driving.

“We estimate the curbside sector has grown to more than 400 daily departures. And that’s big. That means it has become almost a third of the size of the national intercity bus network” of Greyhound, said Joseph Schwieterman, the director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University. “There’s over 60 points served now [by curbside buses] and there’s five major hubs. It has grown from a baby industry to an industry that has blanketed the Midwest and a good chunk of the Northeast.”

At the heart of the increase in popularity of intercity buses are two companies, Bolt Bus and Megabus, each owned by traditional bus operators. To find out just who is riding this new breed of motorcoach, Lauren A. Fischer and Schwieterman led a team of DePaul researchers to survey more than 1,000 bus riders, mostly from those two companies.

According to their report, the portrait of a curbside discount bus rider is younger, under 35, traveling for leisure or personal reasons, and tech savvy. “They’re mainly younger people traveling on personal business.” The survey found that 72 percent of Bolt and Megabus riders were under 35. Almost half of all riders were 18-25 years old. That’s actually a diversification.

“When the sector first started, it really was just almost exclusively younger people. Now we’re seeing new demographic sectors coming to the bus. But it’s still dominated by young people,” said Schwieterman.

Many of those are young people who just wouldn’t travel without these buses. More than one in five passengers said that if it weren’t for the curbside bus, they wouldn’t be traveling. So these buses are generating new trips with their low fares–as low as $1 in some cases.

Fischer said, “in the Midwest we have a bit of a phenomenon, in that these buses offer service to a lot of places where Amtrak doesn’t go, so it’s giving people new travel options for places like Cincinnati which is not that easy to get to from Chicago on a common carrier.”

In addition to creating new travel, Bolt and Megabus are also snagging trips some from trains, planes and automobiles according to the survey.

“Amtrak has lost a lot of business because of these bus companies,” Shwieterman said.

When asked what other mode of transportation riders would have taken if not curbside bus, rail was the most common answer, at 28 percent. In the popular Northeast corridor, 34 percent of bus riders said they would have otherwise been riding Amtrak.

Personal travel growth has outpaced business growth, he said. Buses are “winning away a lot of these passengers who are not on expense reimbursements.”

At the end of the day, price drives decision. “Word has spread,” said Joe Schwieterman, who explains that Bolt Bus and Megabus have extremely high brand recognition now with travelers as the cheap, but reliable way to travel certain routes.

But these findings don’t necessarily spell doom, or even a problem, for Amtrak. The rail company uses dynamic pricing, and trains regularly hit capacity. As the most price-sensitive passengers shift to buses, some new passengers will decide to take Amtrak, Schwieterman admitted.

Cliff Coles, an Amtrak spokesman, wouldn’t discuss the study because he had not had time to review it thoroughly, but he pointed to Amtrak’s record ridership recently and said, in an email, “Amtrak is aware of other modes of transportation as options to travel, but still considers rail travel as the hassle-free method to travel along the Northeast Corridor with the addition of free Wi-Fi service on all Acela Express trains. Our ridership figures demonstrate our growing popularity.”

Robert Puentes, senior fellow at the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, doesn’t think this is a problem for Amtrak. “Those who are being diverted are probably those who have time to spare.” He sees it as positive that more people are taking discount buses.

Airlines, however, “are really between a rock and a hard place… short haul flights are becoming less attractive all the time,” Schwieterman said. And with mounting fuel costs, airport fees and the security line delays, it’s getting harder and harder for airlines to compete with the bus, or even the train, on short trips.

SEPTA Responds to Transportation Funding Commission Report

2011-08-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

by James Myers, Norristown Patch
August 2, 2011

According to a release issued by SEPTA, after years of debate and delay, the authority is encouraged and optimistic that a comprehensive funding solution for Pennsylvania’s numerous transportation needs will be favorably addressed by state legislators this fall.

SEPTA said it has closely followed the work of Gov. Corbett’s Transportation Funding Advisory Commission, and the organization believes its recommendations will not only address many of the critical transportation infrastructure needs facing Pennsylvania, they will also provide a solid financial foundation that is balanced and fair for transit users and taxpayers alike.

SEPTA said in the statement it is proud to have been a member of the Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition, a confederation of dozens of public and private interests that has provided insight and review of the Funding Advisory Commission’s hard work.

“Never before has such a large and diverse number of transit interests coalesced in Pennsylvania with a common goal—dedicated and predicable funding into the foreseeable future,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey. “We believe Gov. Corbett and the state legislature will recognize the benefits of the Transportation Funding Commission’s recommendations, and act accordingly” he said.

SEPTA has successfully balanced its operating budget for 12 consecutive years, and recently broke a 22-year ridership record—carrying over 334 million customers each year.

SEPTA said that with an aging infrastructure (including facilities that date back to the horse-and-buggy era of the 19th century), the funding recommendations being put forth will enable the transportation authority to grow well into the 21st century.

From Forbes Magazine: America's Top Public Transportation Cities

2011-08-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

by Nathan Vardi, Forbes Staff
August 1, 2011

Hoboken, N.J., is located on the west bank of the Hudson River and the New York skyline is visible throughout much of the town. To cross the river and get to work many Hoboken residents hop on a train or ferry. In fact, their use of public transportation is higher than any other city in the nation.

An estimated 56% of Hoboken’s working men and women commute each day by public transportation. Many of them take the subway train run by The Port Authority Trans-Hudson, or PATH, which links Hoboken to Manhattan. Others take ferries run by N.Y. Waterway that run from two different Hoboken docks. Those Hoboken residents who work in other parts of New Jersey have the ability to take several N.J. Transit trains or light rail.

“We really encourage people to use public transportation,” says Dawn Zimmer, Hoboken’s mayor. “We are proud people use public transportation and we are trying to make Hoboken a place where people have the option to live car free.”

Hoboken is so serious about reducing the role of the personal automobile that it partnered with Hertz to initiate the nation’s first car sharing program, which now boasts 42 vehicles and 1,600 members. There are three shuttle bus services running through town and city employees can’t keep up with the demand for bike racks at Hoboken’s PATH station.

To determine America’s top public transportation cities, we looked at estimates of the percent of workers 16 years of age or older who traveled from their community to work by public transportation from 2005 to 2009, provided in the U.S. Census’ American Community Survey. We then excluded estimates that had a margin of error greater than 10%. In December 2010, the Census released for the first time ever data estimates based on surveys collected between 2005 and 2009 from all communities in America. These include cities, towns and villages, as well as Census-designated places (CDPs), a type of neighborhood that lacks a separate municipal government, but otherwise physically resembles one of these other places.

With an estimated 54.7% of its workers using public transportation, New York has the second-highest rate of public transportation use in the nation. The reason New York is not number one: less urban sections like the borough of Staten Island. The fact that the Census excludes taxi cabs in its definition of public transportation probably does not help.

Still, the reality is the New York region is by far more dependent on public transportation than any other section of the U.S. New York and its suburbs represent about one quarter of the nation’s public transportation sector and eight of the top ten public transportation cities in America. Five of those towns—Hoboken, Jersey City, West New York, Guttenberg and Union City—are clustered on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. All these places are linked together with the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and have access to N.Y. Waterway ferry docks. The PATH network also plays a significant role in the commutes of many people who live on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River.

“It is all about access to jobs, the success of Hoboken is really the success of an easy commute to lower Manhattan,” says Robert Paaswell, director of the federally supported University Transportation Research Center. “There were clever developers on the New Jersey side of the Hudson who built great looking condos that all look at Manhattan so you have the illusion that you are in New York and they are two thirds the price and you can park your car there.”

Still, experts like Paaswell have been ringing alarm bells over the deteriorating state of the New York region’s public transportation infrastructure. Just last month Jay Walder, the highly respected head of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, resigned after a tumultuous two-year stint to run a transportation company in Hong Kong. “We are in a very bad place,” says Paaswell. “Nobody is investing in transit in New York or around the country.”

See the Top 10 Cities for Public Transit on Forbes.com.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer: New SEPTA railcars roll out slowly

2011-08-09T09:21:00.003-04:00

by Dan Geringer
August 8, 2011

When SEPTA's new Silverliner V made its maiden voyage last October, taking reporters and a few startled Regional Rail riders on the five-stop run between Suburban Station and Cynwyd, it had that new railcar smell emanating from plush, blue vinyl seats, that magic-carpet ride and that seductive bedroom voice announcing SEPTA stations as if they were topless joints.

The "Little Silverliner that Could" - three railcars from Hyundai Rotem's South Korea factory - held the promise that, as soon as SEPTA put 117 more into service, Regional Rail riders could blow a goodbye kiss to the butt-busting battalion of Silverliner IIs and IIIs, built during the '60s, when Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney were young.

It was supposed to happen by now. But 10 months after the coming-out party, the Silverliner V remains a shy diva with three or four trains - 24 railcars - making rare guest appearances all over the Regional Rail system, still far outnumbered by those 73 relics from the '60s that ride like cattle cars in an old western.

Although reasonably modern Silverliner IVs make up much of the Regional Rail fleet, the terrible IIs and IIIs show up often enough to make you wonder what the holdup is all about. Published reports indicate that delays in Silverliner V production have been due to culture clashes between American workers here who've never built a railcar and their native Korean advisers from the Hyundai Rotem factory in South Philly.

After months of Silverliner whining, is there a silver lining?

Luther Diggs, the no-nonsense, former-Marine, SEPTA operations manager who has honchoed the Silverliner V project since its 2006 birth in Korea, told the Daily News that, yes, the rollout is a year behind schedule, but don't get your boxers in a bunch.

"If you think there's not going to be problems when you buy 120 railcars that were designed starting with a blank sheet of paper," Diggs said, "you're not living in the real world."

Ramrod straight, wearing a pressed SEPTA dress shirt so white it glowed, Diggs stood in the middle of the 13-acre Hyundai Rotem USA factory on Weccacoe Avenue near Snyder, surrounded by 200 local workers building and testing 63 Silverliner V railcars.

Today, it's the Silverliner V. In the future, they'll be building railcars for Denver and Boston. The heart of SEPTA's $327 million Silverliner V project is a sight to behold in a city where so many neighborhoods have never recovered from the closing of factories decades ago. The Hyundai Rotem USA plant is really a gigantic railyard under a roof, alive with skilled workers while the recession rages outside.

Don't focus on the growing pains, Diggs said. They're normal. "This is not the kind of thing where I've got Silverliner V trains stuck all over the track," he said, smiling.

Diggs, who was operations manager for a nationwide trucking company long before he began his 29 years with SEPTA, said that Silverliner V trains will be a major presence on Regional Rail by next summer. And when that happens, and he has to get rid of the trusty, musty old Silverliner IIs and IIIs, will he miss those dinosaurs from SEPTA's '60s?

"No," said Diggs. "I am not a rail buff. This is a business, not a nostalgia museum. Give me an acetylene torch and pffft! I hear those old trains make nice reefs. You cut 'em up, you put 'em in the ocean and, I'm telling you, they make nice reefs."

From the New York Times: Cities See the Other Side of the Tracks

2011-08-08T09:00:00.001-04:00

By Kristina Shevory
August 2, 2011

The High Line park, built on an elevated railway trestle in Manhattan, has become both a symbol and a catalyst for an explosion of growth in the meatpacking district and the Chelsea neighborhood.

Now cities around the country, including Chicago, Philadelphia and St. Louis, are working up plans to renovate their aging railroad trestles, tracks and railways for parkland. Cities with little public space are realizing they badly need more parks, and the High Line has taught that renovating an old railway can be the spark that helps improve a neighborhood and attract development.

The High Line’s first and second sections cost $153 million, but have generated an estimated $2 billion in new developments. In the five years since construction started on the High Line, 29 new projects have been built or are under way in the neighborhood, according to the New York City Department of City Planning. More than 2,500 new residential units, 1,000 hotel rooms and over 500,000 square feet of office and art gallery space have gone up.

“Cities recognize parks are good for their economies. They’re no longer a nice thing to have, but a must,” said Will Rogers, president and chief executive of the Trust for Public Land, a national conservation group in San Francisco.

The area around the park, sprinkled with small offices under 200,000 square feet, has become a draw for start-ups and creative companies.

“I think the High Line is a big attraction. It’s created a lot more buzz to the area,” said Matthew Bergey, first vice president at the commercial brokerage firm CB Richard Ellis in New York. “Like with any destination, people will come if it’s cool and has buzz.”

Though plans in many cities have a long way to go before becoming reality, a point in favor of reuse is that it can be cheaper to renovate old rail structures than to tear them down. The Reading Viaduct, an old elevated railway line in Philadelphia, would cost $50 million to demolish versus $36 million to retrofit, according to the Center City District, a business improvement group.

In Chicago, where a 2.65-mile elevated rail line slices through four residential areas, tearing down the line would be prohibitively costly. With 37 bridges and large earthen embankments, the Bloomingdale Trail, as it is now called, snakes east to west across Chicago and is simply too big to go.

“If you’ve driven around Chicago, you’ll have seen it,” said Beth White, director of the Chicago office of the Trust for Public Land, which is helping to build the trail.

As with other, similar rail lines around the country, passenger and freight trains have not operated on the Chicago line in at least 10 years. The only traffic most of these lines see is an occasional runner or bike rider, even though trespassing is usually forbidden.

The impetus for redevelopment has mostly come from neighbors rather than developers, because the vision is so grand and stretches across entire neighborhoods. “It’s hard for private development to be visionary unless it’s a large-scale development where you can create a community,” said Mr. Rogers, a former Chicago developer. “Instead, you’re responding to a small site and not a larger community.”

After years of grass-roots work, the Bloomingdale Trail is moving forward after Rahm Emanuel, who made completing the trail one of his campaign promises, was elected mayor in February. Over the next year, design concepts and engineering work will get under way. The Bloomingdale Trail will allow bikes and dogs, interconnect with new and existing ground-level parks and cost $40 million to $75 million.

In St. Louis, plans are in the works to renovate a 2.1-mile elevated rail trestle and turn it into a park as part of a larger waterfront revitalization project. The Iron Horse Trestle, estimated to cost $50 million, does not have a timeline. Organizers hope to have the first one-mile phase completed in five years.

“You have to be deliberate if you want this to last. It’ll reflect St. Louis and be unique to it,” said Susan Trautman, the executive director of Great Rivers Greenway District, a public group developing the Iron Horse Trestle.

Despite the High Line’s visibility and help in showing donors and residents nationwide what is possible with an abandoned trestle, most cities realize they cannot mimic it. The park runs through Manhattan, the most densely populated area in the country, and attracted large sums of money from celebrities.

“The High Line is not easily replicable in other cities,” said James Corner, principal of James Corner Field Operations, a New York architecture firm that designed the High Line with Diller Scofidio and Renfro. “It’s not just, ‘Build a cool park and they will come.’ It’s, ‘Build a cool park and connect it to a framework.’ ”

Developers are hesitant to rely on these potential parks as they assemble new projects. In October, Mike and Matt Pestronk pounced on a 10-story office tower next to the Philadelphia viaduct when it fell into foreclosure and bought it for $5 million. The brothers, who had been watching the building for years and waiting for its price to drop, bought it because it was a good deal. The developers plan to renovate the vacant office tower for $25 million and turn it into apartments.

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Read more at NYTimes.com

Don't forget about the bicycling benefit

2011-08-05T14:05:00.000-04:00

As part of IRS Tax Code 132(f), employees are eligible to receive $20 per month as a subsidy to pay for their cost of commuting by bicycle. Bicycling was not always covered under the commuter benefit until more recently, when the tax code was expanded to include bicycling as a qualified commuter mode.

The benefit covers the costs associated with bicycle maintenance, equipment, accessories and storage facilities. Employers must offer the benefit as an employer-paid subsidy in addition to salary; language in the tax code does not allow for the bicycling benefit as a pre-tax payroll deduction.

In some cases, the cost of offering the benefit can be a tax write-off for the company (please check with your licensed accountant or tax attorney for details).

It is important to note that the bicycling benefit cannot be offered with the TransitChek benefit. The employee must choose between the two, but the employer can make both programs available to staff. On any given month, employees that opt for the bicycling benefit cannot receive TransitCheks. Employees can make changes in their selections from month to month (i.e., take transit in the winter months, while commuting by bicycle in the warmer weather).

TransitChek's online ordering website allows for our clients to order TransitChek vouchers, PATCO Freedom Card loads and Commuter Checks for Bicycling. Commuter Checks for Bicycling come in two different denominations--$10 and $20--and are redeemable at bicycle shops, bicycle parking, and storage locations throughout the country. To see if your shop is a partner, please visit Commuter Check's partners page.

From CNN: Bicycles fight for space on city streets

2011-08-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

By Steve Kastenbaum, CNN

Move over cars, bicycles are occupying more space on U.S. city streets every day thanks to an ever-expanding network of bike lanes. Bikes aren't just for recreation. They're increasingly becoming a mode of transportation for commuters, but it's not always a smooth ride.

As more commuters turn to pedal power, bicycling blogs and online biking bulletin boards are filling up with tales of ticket blitzes and stories of bikers feeling like they are under assault.

The biker battles are particularly contentious in New York.

"There are some crazy stories coming out of New York," said Jeffrey Miller, president and CEO of The Alliance for Biking and Walking, a national coalition of state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. "We don't have any reports anywhere like what we're having in New York City right now. It frankly seems a little bit out of control."

Miller was referring to the number of tickets handed out to bicyclists for seemingly erroneous reasons.

"My favorite new one was the woman who was wearing a skirt and the officer who ticketed her for being a distraction to drivers," Miller said. "Does he go around ticketing every pretty lady he sees? It's just ridiculous."

Published reports cite a nearly 50% increase in the number of summonses written for bicyclists in New York this year. It has frustrated bikers to the point where one group has initiated a crowd sourcing project, asking bikers to report when and where they were ticketed. The data is being used to develop a map of the hot spots where bicyclists are targeted.

Casey Neistat received a ticket from a police officer for riding outside a bike lane on a rainy day in New York a few weeks ago.

"The sirens go on so I kind of get out of his way because I assume he's flying by," said the 30-year-old filmmaker. But instead of heading off to an emergency, the officer pulled Neistat and his bike over. "He just rolled down the window, took my driver's license and handed me a ticket."

Neistat admits he was riding outside a bike line. Technically, it's not against the law to do that in New York. But at the time he didn't know that and he paid the $50 fine.

He's also not a fan of bike lanes. "They're not always the safest place to be," he said.

Neistat decided to express his ticket frustration by making a short video illustrating how bike lanes are often blocked with obstructions: double-parked cars, delivery trucks, construction crews or pedestrians using the lanes to get around crowded sidewalks.

"It didn't take us long. We were out for about five minutes before we found a huge construction site in the middle of a bike lane and that was the first thing that I just crashed right into."

Neistat kept crashing into things as he tried to adhere to the police officer's directive to ride within the bike lane. He crashed into orange cones, a taxi and the back of a delivery truck.

He edited and posted the video online, where it clearly struck a chord with other bicyclists. Within just a few days it had gone viral, with close to 4 million views.

The increase in ticketing bicyclists comes at the same time the bike lane network in New York is expanding dramatically. City officials hope to more than double the number of miles of bike lanes to 1,800 by 2030.

At the same time, the city has embarked on a campaign to educate people on bike safety. A spokesman for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, "The focus is on safety for all road users. If you choose to drive, if you choose to bike, if you choose to walk -- we want the streets to be safe."

The majority of the bike tickets issued have been for real infractions such as running a red light or riding against the flow of traffic.

To those who believe they're on the receiving end of a ticket blitz, a police spokesman said, "It's NYPD's job to enforce the law. Just as we ticket drivers who break safety laws, the same has to be done for cyclists. We expect everyone to follow the law and abide by the rules of the road, which are there for everyone's safety."

Read more on CNN.com

Four Ways to Bust Past Your Bike-Commuting Roadblocks

2011-08-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

By Tanya Menoni
ConsumerSearch.com
August 1, 2011

Gas prices are high - each time you fill your tank up your wallet feels a lighter. When your commute to work affects the household budget, commuting by bike starts to look attractive. Consider it the ultimate in multitasking, not only are you saving a ton of money on gas--even when gas prices aren't sky-high--but you're also exercising. (The recommendation for overall health is an hour of exercise daily.)

That's why it's surprising to see the results of a new study out of Rutgers University showing that the number of bike commuters has stagnated over the last 10 years. The study's author, John Pucher, Ph.D., says that nearly half of all car trips in America are less than two miles, a distance that is doable for even beginner cyclists. Use these expert tips to help overcome your biggest roadblocks to bike commuting.

Roadblock: There's too much traffic.

Bust through it! Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky enough to live in one of America's top cities for cyclists (Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR; and Boulder, CO top the list). But you can still have a safe ride to work. The first step is to plan your route. And here's a hint: it probably won't be the same one you would take by car. Look for quieter streets or roads with bike lanes, and test out your route on a weekend when you can focus on where you're going without worrying about maneuvering through busy car traffic. EasyCycling.com has more tips on how to cycle safely in rush hour traffic.

Roadblock: It takes too long.

Bust through it! Need some motivation? Outside Magazine chronicles the story of 57-year-old Joe Simonetti, who commutes by bike twice a week from Pound Ridge, New York, to Midtown Manhattan. That's a 50-mile trip that takes approximately three and a half hours by bike. Simonetti is probably more motivated than most of us, but it goes to show that you don't have to hop on your bike every day--even one or two days a week can cut down on your gas bill, get your heart pumping and clear your head.

Roadblock: I don't want to arrive at work a sweaty mess.

Bust through it! Many commuter bikes have cargo racks or baskets so you can haul a change of clothes with you. If changing isn't an option, Mother Nature Network has some clothing tips for bike commuters. The site also recommends asking your employer to provide a dedicated changing room or storage lockers. Many cycling blogs recommend Action Wipes, which are large full-body wet wipes that are convenient for post-ride cleanup. A small fan for your desk is also a good idea.

Roadblock: I don't have a bike.

Bust through it! This is an easy fix! Our updated report on comfort bikes covers the best bikes for long and short commutes. If money is tight, check out Craigslist for used bikes or stop by your local bike shop to see if they have any deals on last year's models.

And please, don't forget your helmet!

From Wired Magazine: Transportation as a Civil Rights Issue

2011-08-02T13:22:00.004-04:00

By Jason Kambitsis
July 26, 2011

Many things come to mind when you think about transportation: Traffic, congestion, mass transit and the cost of fuel, to name a few. You might also think about the economy, urban planning and the environment. Yet one thing often is left out of the discussion: civil rights.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights lays out the case for transportation as a civil right in a report, Where We Need to Go: A Civil Rights Roadmap for Transportation Equity.

The way the conference sees it, access to transportation is key to connecting the poor, seniors and those with disabilities to jobs, schools, health care and other resources. It is essential to widening opportunities for all. Many of us take our mobility for granted, but getting around can be a real challenge for millions of Americans.

This is a key issue as Congress considers the surface transportation reauthorization bill, which essentially maps out federal transportation spending and priorities for the next six years.

“Smart and equitable transportation systems connect us to jobs, schools, housing, health care services — and even to grocery stores and nutritious food,” Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the conference, said in testimony presented to the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee. “But millions of low-income and working-class people, people of color and people with disabilities live in communities where quality transportation options are unaffordable, unreliable, or nonexistent.”

According to the report, the average cost of owning a car is just shy of $9,500. That may not sound like much until you realize the federal poverty level is $22,350 for a family of four. One-third of low-income African-American households do not have access to an automobile. That figure is 25 percent among low-income Latino families and 12.1 percent for whites. Racial minorities are four times more likely than whites to use public transit to get to work.

Yet the federal government allocates 80 percent of its transportation funding to highways.

“This is the civil rights dilemma: Our laws purport to level the playing field, but our transportation choices have effectively barred millions of people from accessing it,” the report states. “Traditional nondiscrimination protections cannot protect people for whom opportunities are literally out of reach.”

Americans in the lowest 20 percent income bracket — many of whom live in rural communities — spend roughly 42 percent of their annual income on transportation, according to the report. That figure is 22 percent for middle-income Americans.

Land use patterns contribute to the transportation divide. By focusing so much spending on highways, we’ve created decentralized communities. This is not, by itself, a problem. No one’s arguing everyone should live in cities. But we’ve underfunded mass transit and built minimal infrastructure for the 107 million people who walk or ride bikes to work each day.

(That’s a whole ‘nother issue: Americans make about 10.5 percent of all trips on foot, and only 1.5 percent of federal transportation funds are allocated to retrofitting roads with sidewalks and crosswalks even though pedestrians account for nearly 13 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to a study by Transportation for America.)

The report argues that inadequate mass transit creates barriers to employment. It notes that three out of five jobs that are suitable for welfare-to-work participants are not accessible by public transportation. It also cites a Brookings Institute study that found 45 percent of jobs in the nation’s 98 largest metro areas lie 10 miles or more beyond the urban core.

To combat these issues, the Leadership Conference outlines a plan similar to that offered by other transportation advocacy groups, including Transportation For America. In a nutshell, the conference calls for greater spending on mass transit and multimodal systems that foster comprehensive transportation networks that include pedestrians, bicycles, mass transit and automobiles.

The conference also says its ’s time to give those directly impacted by transportation policy a voice in the debate.

“When decisions are made about transportation resources and funding, those decisions are rarely made in consultation with or in consideration of low-income people who tend to rely heavily on public transportation as their main access to services,” Henderson says in the report.

We are at a pivotal time in transportation funding. The transportation reauthorization bill will decide how we spend our dollars for the next six years. As lawmakers hash out what will be spent where, they will do well to remember that transportation is about more than reaching destinations. It’s also about reaching opportunities.

SEPTA Ridership hits 22-year high

2011-08-01T10:26:00.001-04:00

By Paul Nussbaum

Inquirer Staff Writer

Despite the region's sluggish economy, SEPTA carried more riders in the last 12 months than it had in any of the 22 previous years.

For the fiscal year that ended June 30, SEPTA's buses, subways, trolleys, and trains had about 334 million passengers, up 4 percent from the previous year and the most since 345 million in fiscal 1989.

SEPTA officials credited service improvements, higher gasoline prices, Center City population growth, and a growing use of transit by young adults.

"Our surveys show that we get a positive reaction from our new riders. . . . When they do try our system, they like it, and they come back," said general manager Joseph Casey, who will present the positive numbers to SEPTA's board of directors Thursday.

Casey said he hoped new funding from Harrisburg would allow SEPTA to repair aging infrastructure and continue to attract more riders.

A Corbett administration transportation-funding panel, set to issue its report Monday, is expected to recommend about $400 million more annually for Pennsylvania's mass-transit agencies as part of a $2.7 billion increase in transportation funding. Typically, SEPTA gets about 65 percent of the state's mass-transit funding.

To pay for the increase, the Corbett commission voted this month to urge raising wholesale taxes on oil companies, raising fees for vehicle and driver registration, and dedicating a fraction of sales taxes to mass-transit needs.

SEPTA has a wish list of $700 million in construction projects that it is ready to start if it gets additional state funding, chief financial officer Richard Burnfield said. The projects include passenger stations, bridges, power lines, and electrical substations.

The increase in passengers, coupled with a fare hike last July, boosted SEPTA's annual passenger revenue $43.5 million, or 11 percent. That more than offset the $37 million increase in operating costs.
Ridership improved despite the fare increase, an especially bitter winter, and regional unemployment that was worse than at any time in the previous two decades.

Andy Sharpe, communications director of the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers, attributed much of the increase to "the realization among many people that high gas prices are likely here to stay." He also credited traffic in Center City and SEPTA's "recent emphasis on customer service."

Train ridership was up less than bus, subway, and trolley ridership, but the Regional Rail system still came close to setting a SEPTA record with 35.4 million riders. The record remains 35.5 million in fiscal 2008.

The rail line with the biggest increase in daily passengers - 16 percent - was the Lansdale/Doylestown Line, from 16,158 to 18,717. The Airport Line suffered a 9 percent decline, from 7,454 riders a day to 6,750.

Casey said new Silverliner V railcars slowly being added to the fleet would increase Regional Rail capacity and reliability, with noticeable improvements by winter.

SEPTA has received 32 of 120 Silverliner V cars, which are being made in a South Philadelphia factory by Hyundai Rotem, a subsidiary of South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co.

SEPTA's improved ridership and revenue allowed it this month to put about $20 million back into a rainy-day fund that was depleted by the costs of bad weather and a bus drivers' strike in 2009.

Original article posted on Philly.com on July 28, 2011. http://bit.ly/rpppH0

From the New York Times: Across Europe, Irking Drivers is Urban Policy

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

While American cities are synchronizing green lights to improve traffic flow and offering apps to help drivers find parking, many European cities are doing the opposite: creating environments openly hostile to cars. The methods vary, but the mission is clear — to make car use expensive and just plain miserable enough to tilt drivers toward more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

Cities including Vienna to Munich and Copenhagen have closed vast swaths of streets to car traffic. Barcelona and Paris have had car lanes eroded by popular bike-sharing programs. Drivers in London and Stockholm pay hefty congestion charges just for entering the heart of the city. And over the past two years, dozens of German cities have joined a national network of “environmental zones” where only cars with low carbon dioxide emissions may enter.

Likeminded cities welcome new shopping malls and apartment buildings but severely restrict the allowable number of parking spaces. On-street parking is vanishing. In recent years, even former car capitals like Munich have evolved into “walkers’ paradises,” said Lee Schipper, a senior research engineer at Stanford University who specializes in sustainable transportation.

“In the United States, there has been much more of a tendency to adapt cities to accommodate driving,” said Peder Jensen, head of the Energy and Transport Group at the European Environment Agency. “Here there has been more movement to make cities more livable for people, to get cities relatively free of cars.”

To that end, the municipal Traffic Planning Department here in Zurich has been working overtime in recent years to torment drivers. Closely spaced red lights have been added on roads into town, causing delays and angst for commuters. Pedestrian underpasses that once allowed traffic to flow freely across major intersections have been removed. Operators in the city’s ever expanding tram system can turn traffic lights in their favor as they approach, forcing cars to halt.
Around Löwenplatz, one of Zurich’s busiest squares, cars are now banned on many blocks. Where permitted, their speed is limited to a snail’s pace so that crosswalks and crossing signs can be removed entirely, giving people on foot the right to cross anywhere they like at any time.

As he stood watching a few cars inch through a mass of bicycles and pedestrians, the city’s chief traffic planner, Andy Fellmann, smiled. “Driving is a stop-and-go experience,” he said. “That’s what we like! Our goal is to reconquer public space for pedestrians, not to make it easy for drivers.”

While some American cities — notably San Francisco, which has “pedestrianized” parts of Market Street — have made similar efforts, they are still the exception in the United States, where it has been difficult to get people to imagine a life where cars are not entrenched, Dr. Schipper said.

Europe’s cities generally have stronger incentives to act. Built for the most part before the advent of cars, their narrow roads are poor at handling heavy traffic. Public transportation is generally better in Europe than in the United States, and gas often costs over $8 a gallon, contributing to driving costs that are two to three times greater per mile than in the United States, Dr. Schipper said.

What is more, European Union countries probably cannot meet a commitment under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions unless they curb driving. The United States never ratified that pact.

Globally, emissions from transportation continue a relentless rise, with half of them coming from personal cars. Yet an important impulse behind Europe’s traffic reforms will be familiar to mayors in Los Angeles and Vienna alike: to make cities more inviting, with cleaner air and less traffic.

Michael Kodransky, global research manager at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy in New York, which works with cities to reduce transport emissions, said that Europe was previously “on the same trajectory as the United States, with more people wanting to own more cars.” But in the past decade, there had been “a conscious shift in thinking, and firm policy,” he said. And it is having an effect.

After two decades of car ownership, Hans Von Matt, 52, who works in the insurance industry, sold his vehicle and now gets around Zurich by tram or bicycle, using a car-sharing service for trips out of the city. Carless households have increased from 40 to 45 percent in the last decade, and car owners use their vehicles less, city statistics show.

“There were big fights over whether to close this road or not — but now it is closed, and people got used to it,” he said, alighting from his bicycle on Limmatquai, a riverside pedestrian zone lined with cafes that used to be two lanes of gridlock. Each major road closing has to be approved in a referendum.

Today 91 percent of the delegates to the Swiss Parliament take the tram to work.

Still, there is grumbling. “There are all these zones where you can only drive 20 or 30 kilometers per hour [about 12 to 18 miles an hour], which is rather stressful,” Thomas Rickli, a consultant, said as he parked his Jaguar in a lot at the edge of town. “It’s useless.”

Urban planners generally agree that a rise in car commuting is not desirable for cities anywhere.

Mr. Fellmann calculated that a person using a car took up 115 cubic meters (roughly 4,000 cubic feet) of urban space in Zurich while a pedestrian took three. “So it’s not really fair to everyone else if you take the car,” he said.

European cities also realized they could not meet increasingly strict World Health Organization guidelines for fine-particulate air pollution if cars continued to reign. Many American cities are likewise in “nonattainment” of their Clean Air Act requirements, but that fact “is just accepted here,” said Mr. Kodransky of the New York-based transportation institute.

It often takes extreme measures to get people out of their cars, and providing good public transportation is a crucial first step. One novel strategy in Europe is intentionally making it harder and more costly to park. “Parking is everywhere in the United States, but it’s disappearing from the urban space in Europe,” said Mr. Kodransky, whose recent report “Europe’s Parking U-Turn” surveys the shift.

Sihl City, a new Zurich mall, is three times the size of Brooklyn’s Atlantic Mall but has only 225 more parking spaces than Atlantic's 625, and as a result, 70 percent of visitors get there by public transport, Mr. Kodransky said.

In Copenhagen, Mr. Jensen, at the European Environment Agency, said that his office building had more than 150 spaces for bicycles and only one for a car, to accommodate a disabled person.

While many building codes in Europe cap the number of parking spaces in new buildings to discourage car ownership, American codes conversely tend to stipulate a minimum number. New apartment complexes built along the light rail line in Denver devote their bottom eight floors to parking, making it “too easy” to get in the car rather than take advantage of rail transit, Mr. Kodransky said.

While Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has generated controversy in New York by “pedestrianizing” a few areas like Times Square, many European cities have already closed vast areas to car traffic. Store owners in Zurich had worried that the closings would mean a drop in business, but that fear has proved unfounded, Mr. Fellmann said, because pedestrian traffic increased 30 to 40 percent where cars were banned.

With politicians and most citizens still largely behind them, Zurich’s planners continue their traffic-taming quest, shortening the green-light periods and lengthening the red with the goal that pedestrians wait no more than 20 seconds to cross.

“We would never synchronize green lights for cars with our philosophy,” said Pio Marzolini, a city official. “When I’m in other cities, I feel like I’m always waiting to cross a street. I can’t get used to the idea that I am worth less than a car.”

From the Patriot-News: Giving Up My Car Was One of My Best Decisions

2011-07-27T10:28:00.003-04:00

By Chelsea Howard-Foley

With gas prices soaring toward $4 a gallon and the economy still in a recession, I feel fortunate to have lived most of my life free from the burdens of having to fill up at the gas pump.

Growing up in Harrisburg, trains, buses and bikes have always been a regular part of how my family got around.

When I was little, we took Amtrak from Harrisburg to Philadelphia to visit family, and before my mom bought a car we relied entirely on buses and walking to get us where we needed to go.

As a teenager, I visited friends in other cities and family in New York and Philadelphia via the train. For shorter trips to school, swim and band practice, work and friends’ houses, I walked, rode my bike, took the school bus or occasionally took a public bus across town.

Through all of this, I was fortunate to live in public transit and pedestrian-friendly places that made living without a car possible.

I remember thinking that I had a lot more independence and freedom than my friends who lived in the suburbs and needed a car to get anywhere.

Then, when I was 17 and about to move to a rural part of southern Maryland for college, I bought a car.

At first it seemed like a great freedom; I could pack up and leave and go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted.

That novelty wore off quickly though as I was faced with rising gas prices and repair bills that I just couldn’t afford as a student making $10 an hour in odd jobs.

The car that was supposed to give me freedom was turning into a burdensome drain on my bank account.

After a year and a half of owning my Volvo 940, I sold my car and made a commitment to live car-free.

It shocks some people to hear this is how I live, but in the three carless years since, I have discovered that I not only have more money in the bank, I also don’t miss having a car.

I commute to work on my bike, run errands by bike or foot, use public transit to visit friends and family and carpool when possible.

Fortunately, I live only 1.5 miles from where I work and most things in Harrisburg proper are a reasonable bike ride away.

However, there are downsides to not having a car as I can only bike so far and public transportation isn’t the best outside of the city.

I see my friends who live on the West Shore less frequently than ones who live in Harrisburg and need to find rides to social events outside of city limits.

Additionally, when going longer distances, I need to plan far in advance to coordinate bus and train schedules, get the best ticket price and make sure that I can get where I want to go.

It’s occasionally frustrating and time-consuming, working out travel logistics without a car, but it’s also a lot less expensive, and I never need to find parking.

While I enjoy my car-free lifestyle, it comes with its own challenges and certainly isn’t feasible for everyone.

I’m lucky to be free from the burdens of filling up at the gas pump, but there are millions of people nationwide and here in Pennsylvania who don’t have access to public transit and are forced to drive.

This dependence on motor vehicles often has disastrous economic implications for families living on a budget and young people such as myself trying to pay off student loans.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, the average American family spends 18 cents out of every dollar earned on transportation, 94 percent of which goes to maintaining motor vehicles.

However, a household that uses public transportation regularly can save nearly $10,000 a year, savings that will only increase as gas prices rise.

Clearly, cars are costing Americans substantial amounts of money as well as polluting our environment.

For our country to cut its oil addiction and get on the path to energy independence, not only do we need to expand access to public transit to give people access to safe and convenient transportation choices, we need to build cars and trucks that use less gas.

The good news is that President Obama is going to propose new fuel-efficiency standards in September and is considering making them as high as 62 miles per gallon by 2025.

I urge the president to go big and set the strongest standard possible so that in the future, more Americans can declare freedom from the burdens of oil.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer: Roads, transit to get help?

2011-07-26T11:48:00.003-04:00

Inquirer Editorial
July 21, 2011

With its preliminary recommendations Monday on a workable strategy to keep Pennsylvania roads and bridges repaired, and buses and trains running, an advisory panel to Gov. Corbett proved that sometimes the wrong answer can be the right one.

The panel, led by state Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch, endorsed a $2.7 billion annual funding package. It includes lifting a cap on wholesale fuel taxes - a move that likely would bump up the current price at the gas pump by around 5 percent.

Hikes in vehicle-related fees would round out the plan, which also devotes a slice of sales tax revenues to mass transit.

As much as all that makes sense, the fuel-tax proposal could collide head-on with Corbett's pledge of allegiance to the no-tax crowd.

Since Corbett hopped aboard the tea-party bus, he has had to slash state spending in key areas of education and social services. Notably, his first budget steered completely around one massive pothole: the $470 million gap in transportation and transit funding left by the state's failure to move forward on a smart plan to toll I-80.

Schoch's panel may be on to a worthwhile approach - one that could well be a work-around for the governor's no-tax stance. Corbett already has accepted the notion of fee increases to meet other needs. And lifting a cap on the wholesale fuels tax still falls short of a direct hike in the retail gas tax.

Certainly, it's the right move to lean more heavily on broad-based revenue sources so that all highway users share in the cost of maintaining roads. More importantly, the state must attack a backlog of unsafe bridges that is the nation's largest. Transit needs were well-documented by federal transit administrator Peter Rogoff's recent tour of crumbling SEPTA facilities, during which he found huge flakes of rusted steel peeling off a crucial rail bridge girder.

The most straightforward strategy to maintain this crucial infrastructure would be to add a few cents to the retail tax on gasoline. The increase would hardly be noticeable amid normal fluctuations in gasoline prices, but it's still off the table for Corbett and a consistent majority in the Republican-run state legislature.

Given the political climate, Corbett's advisory panel has given Harrisburg lawmakers a good set of tools to make repairs to the state's transportation fund.

In addition, lawmakers and the governor should resurrect the lucrative plan to toll I-80. Local trips on the interstate could still be toll-free, but long-haul I-80 users finally would shoulder their share of transportation costs. Those statewide needs now are met heavily by Pennsylvania Turnpike users in this region - a toll structure that also disadvantages the Philadelphia ports over those in New York.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer: SEPTA closer to new fare system

2011-07-21T15:59:00.002-04:00

By Paul Nussbaum
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

SEPTA on Thursday took a $9 million step toward its long-awaited, long-delayed electronic fare system, although questions remain about how rail passengers will use the system.

A SEPTA board committee okayed a $9 million contract with LTK Engineering Services, of Ambler, to manage the installation of the new fare system. The full SEPTA board will vote on the contract next Thursday.

SEPTA officials plan to award a contract in September for the new fare system, which will allow passengers to pay their fares with credit cards, debit cards, cell phones, or electronic SEPTA cards.

The new, $100-million fare system is likely to take several years to install.

For most of SEPTA's passengers - those who ride buses, subways and trolleys - the switch to the new system will be relatively easy. New electronic card-readers will simply replace old turnstiles or fare-boxes.

But on Regional Rail, which accounts for 13 percent of SEPTA's riders and 25 percent of its revenue, the new system may bring major changes.

SEPTA is considering charging rail fares only in the outbound direction and installing subway-style gates and turnstiles at five Philadelphia stations: Suburban Station, Market East, 30th Street, University City, and Temple University.

Rail-passenger advocates have argued against those changes, saying they could encourage widespread fare evasion by riders who could train into Philadelphia free and find another way home.

Recently, others have weighed in against the one-way fares, as well.

SEPTA's own Citizen Advisory Committee voted against one-way fares. And a "stakeholder group" that included planning representatives from Philadelphia and the four suburban Pennsylvania counties also agreed that a one-way fare structure should be abandoned.

Aissia Richardson, chair of the citizen committee, said the one-way fare system "is not a model that has been tried successfully elsewhere."

She said SEPTA should plan instead for a system where train passengers "tag in" when they board a train and "tag out" when they get off. That would be similar to the electronic system used by passengers on the PATCO commuter rail system that operates between Philadelphia and South Jersey.

Matt Mitchell, of the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers, advocated for ticket vending machines at all rail stations and for keeping the current system of monthly and weekly passes for rail commuters.

"We still don't know how they intend to verify fares from riders who don't go to or from Center City, plus their system opens up several new opportunities to cheat," Mitchell said. "They're so fixated on the turnstiles that make sure all the Center City riders pay that they're leaving the back door wide open. That's enough of a financial risk that it could eat up the revenue benefit of the [new payment technology] system."

John McGee, SEPTA's chief of new payment technologies, said Thursday that SEPTA has not decided on how to collect fares from rail passengers. He said the one-way fare remains a possibility, but that SEPTA is still meeting with local county officials and others.

Three companies are in the running for the electronic fare contract: ACS Transport Solutions Group, of Columbia, Md.; Scheidt & Bachmann, of Germany; and Cubic Transportation Systems Inc., of San Diego.

SEPTA's purchasing process has fallen far behind the schedule announced in November 2008, when the agency said it hoped to award a contract by April 2009.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer: At 30th St. Station, a plan for gateway to city

2011-07-21T11:03:00.003-04:00

By Paul Nussbaum

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Amtrak is getting ready to create a master plan for 30th Street Station, hoping to make the neoclassical landmark a more welcoming gateway to both West Philadelphia and Center City.

The 78-year-old train station serves more than seven million Amtrak, SEPTA, and NJ Transit passengers a year, but it's isolated by a river, two expressways, a cordon of busy streets, and a wasteland of parking lots.
For pedestrians, the area around the station is "about as inhospitable as the surface of another planet," said Bob Francis, vice president for university facilities at Drexel University.

Many changes are already in the works.

Drexel, intent on filling the void between its campus and the station, last month spent $21.8 million for 3.6 acres of parking lots on the western doorstep of the station for future university housing, academic buildings, or commercial space.

And on the south side of the station, construction crews for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation are building a 55-foot-wide pedestrian plaza with lights and granite benches as the foundation of a Station Square aimed at transforming that block-long desert into an oasis. The plaza will be mirrored by another one across Market Street, in front of the old 30th Street Post Office building, which now houses the IRS.

Amtrak is working with PennDot, Drexel, the University of Pennsylvania, city officials, SEPTA, and other groups as it prepares to draw up the master plan. The agency is still waiting on funding to proceed, and the plan could take a year or more to complete.

The neighbors and users of 30th Street Station have told Amtrak that they want a station area that is more pedestrian-friendly, provides better access to SEPTA's subways and trolleys, and makes a better connection between the bustling precincts of West Philadelphia and Center City. About 16,000 people work within a quarter-mile of the station. Read more...

PATCO Fares Increasing on July 1, 2011

2011-06-22T11:45:00.000-04:00

On July 1, 2011, PATCO fares will increase approximately 10%. This fare increase was originally planned for January 1, but was postponed. New fares are below. Gated parking will remain at $1 between the hours of 5AM and 10AM. If need be, please modify your FREEDOM loads to accommodate the increases.

FROM	TO	ONE-WAY	ROUND-TRIP	ROUND-TRIP with SEPTA TRANSFER ($2.60)
Lindenwold, Ashland, and Woodcrest	Philadelphia	$3.00	$6.00	$8.60
Haddonfield, Westmont, and Collingswood	Philadelphia	$2.60	$5.20	$7.80
Ferry Avenue	Philadelphia	$2.25	$4.50	$7.10
Any New Jersey Station (except between Broadway and City Hall)	Any New Jersey Station	$1.60	$3.20	N/A
Broadway	City Hall	$1.40	$2.80	N/A
Broadway and City Hall	Any Philadelphia Station	$1.40	$2.80	$5.40
Any Philadelphia Station	Any Philadelphia Station	$1.40	$2.80	N/A

For more information, please visit www.RidePATCO.org. Remember, FREEDOM Card users can now manage their FREEDOM Card activity at www.PATCOFreedomCard.org.

TransitChek Stands Out Among SEPTA's Survey of Commuter Benefits

2011-06-20T14:55:00.001-04:00

SEPTA recently released the results of their survey, "Tax Benefits for Commuting on Public Transit." The online survey was available on SEPTA's Customer Service page between April 21 and June 6 and attracted 438 respondents.

More than 6 out of 10 respondents indicated that they were familiar with pre-tax commuter benefit programs and more than half answered that they were offered TransitChek at their employer. This is great news for commuter benefits, but TransitChek still has room for growth!

Thank you to our loyal clients and their employees for their continued support of TransitChek and recognizing the first, local, non-profit commuter benefit program!

Important TransitChek Info Update: Edenred USA address to change

2011-06-16T15:46:00.000-04:00

Our TransitChek fulfillment vendor—Edenred USA—will be relocating their main office to help accommodate plans for their continued expansion. Edenred’s new office will now be located at:

320 Nevada Street

4^th Floor

Newton, Massachusetts 02460

This change is effective Saturday July 9, 2011.

Your payment for TransitCheks will continue to be paid to the order of Commuter Benefit Program.

For any orders or payments to be delivered after July 9, 2011, please ensure that they are sent to the new address at 320 Nevada Street, 4^th Floor, Newton, Massachusetts 02460. Do not send payments to the Watertown, MA address after July 9. Any orders sent to Watertown after July 9 may be delayed. Please note, Edenred’s operations, fulfillment, and participant and administrative platforms will not be impacted at all during the relocation.

Please make note of this change in your records and forward to any other appropriate departments.

For any further questions please contact Edenred at 800-531-2828.

SEPTA Launches TransitView

2011-06-06T14:31:00.000-04:00

These days, most cell phone owners have mini-computers in their bags. From dinner recipes to the week's weather forecast, commuters have up-to-the-minute information always available at their fingertips. Now, SEPTA riders can find out the arrival time of the next bus or trolley with TransitView.

Visitors to SEPTA's website can select their bus or trolley route and see the GPS location of the vehicles as well as a map of the full route. SEPTA vehicles transmit their location via GPS every three minutes. Detours and route advisories will be available. Select routes that are operated by outside contractors (Route 205, 205, 306, 316) do not have GPS and are unable to be viewed; however, the timetable will be available when these routes are selected.

TrainView utilizes similar tools as TransitView. TrainView was established several years ago for Regional Rail riders. Rail passengers can view--in real time--if their train is on schedule or delayed (along with the length of the delay).

In addition to TransitView, SEPTA unveiled SMS Transit Scheduling for all cell phone users. SEPTA riders can obtain the next four scheduled trips at any time for any location. How does SMS work? Getting started is very simple. To sign up for the SMS Text Message System:

1. Open a new text message
2. Type the word septa (all lower case) in the message box
3. Send the text to 41411
4. You will receive a return text giving you the option to subscribe
5. Confirm by texting 'Y' so you can start receiving schedule information by text

Once the SMS Account is set up, SEPTA riders will need the STOP ID number to obtain schedule information for their location. A campaign to update all 15,000 stops throughout the SEPTA system with the STOP ID number is underway. STOP ID numbers are included on all schedules available on the SEPTA website.

Text messaging rates charged by your cell phone service provider will apply for each text. At the present time, the SMS Text Messaging service for SEPTA transit schedules is only available for text messaging plans offered by Verizon, AT&T, Cricket, MetroPCS, TracFone, U.S. Cellular, Kajeet, and GreatCall.

FREEDOM CONNECTED will arrive on track 6/13/2011

2011-06-01T10:34:00.000-04:00

From PATCO's E-News May, 2011 edition:

PATCO will now offer their FREEDOM card customers the ultimate in convenience, loading and managing of their cards online. The program will officially go live on June 13, 2011.

Now www.PATCOFreedomCard.org will be your connection to making your travel even easier. Customers will be able to sign up for balance protection, add value to their FREEDOM card, monitor transactions, sign up/change automatic replenishment and request account assistance all from the comfort of their home.

Visit PATCO online at www.RidePATCO.org.

How Would Blumenauer’s New Commuter Benefit Proposal Work?

2011-06-01T10:26:00.000-04:00

Appearing on http://dc.streetsblog.org:

How Would Blumenauer’s New Commuter Benefit Proposal Work?

by Tanya Snyder on May 11, 2011

Source: Donald Shoup

If you drive to work, you can get a $230 monthly parking benefit, subsidized by the federal government and paid through your employer. If you take transit, right now you can get up to $230 per month, but the cap may revert to $120 when the current transit benefit law expires this fall. And if you ride a bike? If your employer can even figure out how the bike benefit works, you get twenty bucks. Don’t spend that all in one place, kiddo. (Full disclosure: even Streetsblog hasn’t worked through the confusing bureaucracy enough to give its bike-commuting staff this benefit.)

Rep. Earl Blumenauer announces the introduction of the Commuter Relief Act outside a metro station. Photo: Meghan Cahill/League of American Bicyclists

The privileged position of cars in the employer-benefits paradigm could soon change. As Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) said today, “We need to take away subsidies that incentivize people to do just the opposite of what we ought to be doing.” As a congressman representing the second most congested part of the country, Moran said it was “stunning” that the tax code “is designed to subsidize congestion.”

Moran is a co-sponsor of Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s (D-OR) Commuter Relief Act, introduced today as a way to bring some equity to different transportation modes. Why should drivers get up to $230 a month to foster oil dependency, greenhouse gas emissions, and congestion when everyone else gets so much less?
Blumenauer’s proposal contains a menu of options that lawmakers can choose among – or they can choose all of them. They are:

Transit equity: sets the cap for all transportation benefits at $200 a month – parking and transit.
Self-employed extension of transportation benefits: gives self-employed workers transit benefits for their work travel.
Parking cash-out: requires employers who offer a parking benefit to also offer the option to take cash instead (reducing the incentive to drive).
Van-pool credit: creates a 10 percent tax credit for spending on vanpool services.
Bike benefit: raises the cap for the bike benefit from $20 to $40 and makes the procedures easier for employers. It also allows commuters to combine the bike benefit with transit or parking benefits, which they’re now not allowed to do.

“What we need to do is to be able to help American commuters break the tyranny of the pump,” Blumenauer said today at a press conference at the Capitol South metro station outside the House of Representatives office buildings. He said the bill would give people choices to reduce their costs of commuting, but reminded his audience that long term, the challenge was to provide better transportation choices. One man standing behind Blumenauer held up a sign with the words “Going to work so I can pay to get to work” in a circle with a slash through it.

One of the innovations of Blumenauer’s bill is that it acknowledges that people get to work different ways different days. Under the current law, commuters need to choose a transit, parking, or bicycle benefit. In the new bill, they can mix and match. They can take the $40 bike benefit and also combine it with a $160 transit benefit, up to the $200 total cap.

The cash-out option is the key to allowing that kind of flexibility. Rather than forcing commuters into a rigid program of just driving or just taking transit, it can put $200 in their pockets for whatever transportation costs they encounter – whether it’s bus fare, parking, new tubes, or Gatorade for the long ride. The chart above, which parking expert Donald Shoup of UCLA printed on Streetsblog last fall, shows the power that a parking cash-out can have in shifting transportation choices.

Blumenauer asserts that the bill is deficit-neutral, since the small reduction in parking benefits makes up for the increase in other benefits. And he says that the benefits aren’t just a pat on the back for people already using transit and bicycles. From Blumenauer’s office:

A recent study by Newsweek found that one in five employees changed how they commuted when their employer offered a commuter benefit program. Given that a three percent reduction in commuting trips results in a 39 percent decrease in congestion, reducing commuting trips during peak times, through vanpooling or transit, is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to increase road capacity.

Bike to work and your commuter benefit could pay for dry-cleaning bike grease out of your suits. Photo: Ray's Life Cycle

Not every automobile commuter gets monetary parking benefits, of course. Yes, in some dense, urban areas like New York or D.C., employers can directly help employees pay for parking in public lots. But in smaller cities and suburban areas, drivers can usually just pull right into the office lot for free. If a commuter wanted to “cash out” that parking benefit under the bill, experts say the IRS requires employers to quantify that in-kind payment to determine how much the cash equivalent would be.

Blumenauer gestured at a massive free parking lot for Capitol employees just behind the House office buildings.

“I invite you to think about how much it costs the federal government to provide free parking here to thousands of people on Capitol Hill,” Blumenauer said. “If we give commuters more choices, we will end up reducing the pressure. If we gave our employees here the choice of a transportation benefit to rent a space here or down the street or transit or cycling, we could cut the cost to the federal government of maintaining some of the most expensive real estate in Washington D.C. for all these people that are clogging the roads every day. Think of the uses for this expensive real estate.”

SEPTA's smart-card plan is greeted with questions

2011-04-06T11:39:00.002-04:00

Info available at www.septa.org/fares/npt

by Paul Nussbaum, Inquirer Staff Writer
April 2, 2011

SEPTA unveiled plans for its new "smart card" fare system Friday to a public that was, by turns, enthusiastic, skeptical, and confused.

Scores of riders, industry executives, and the merely curious showed up at SEPTA's Center City headquarters to watch a presentation on the new system and talk to SEPTA officials.

SEPTA expects to award a contract this summer for the new electronic fare-payment system, but passengers won't be able to abandon their tokens, tickets, and passes for two to three years, when the system is expected to be installed. When the system is in place, passengers will be able to pay their fares with credit cards, debit cards, cell phones, or electronic SEPTA cards.

For most of SEPTA's passengers - those who ride buses, subways and trolleys - the switch will be relatively easy. New card-readers will simply replace old turnstiles or fare-boxes.

But on Regional Rail, which accounts for 13 percent of SEPTA's riders and provides 25 percent of its revenue, the transformation may bring major changes. SEPTA is considering charging rail fares only in one direction and installing subway-style gates and turnstiles at five Philadelphia stations: Suburban Station, Market East, 30th Street, University City, and Temple University. Rail-passenger advocates have argued against those changes, saying they could encourage widespread fare evasion by riders who could train into Philadelphia free and find another way home.

Frequent rail passenger Douglas Diehl of Drexel Hill said he could envision riding free from Trenton on SEPTA's train and then returning on the cheaper NJ Transit River Line. He said he got conflicting answers from SEPTA representatives Friday about that possibility. And Diehl said rail passengers would not be happy with the proposed gates in Center City stations.

"Regional Rail passengers are a different breed of rider," he said. "And now SEPTA is going to treat them like subway riders and make them go through turnstiles?"

SEPTA's chief of new payment technologies, John McGee, said the Regional Rail changes were not firm. "It's a point of discussion," he said. "We want to walk with people about what are the shortcomings." He said the new fare system offered a "chance to do something different" with the rail network "in terms of public policy and operational efficiency."

West Philadelphia resident Johanna Heine, 30, said she was looking forward to using the new fare system to make her regular trips on the Route 10 trolley. She said the current system for buying and using tokens "is not very user-friendly."

Her husband, Ben Freid, 32, said the new system would mean "I won't have to go running around to buy tokens, and I won't have to deal with the people selling tokens."

Steven Sawadisavi, 26, of Narberth, said he expected the new system would be more convenient than his current monthly pass. "Now I have to get a different card each month, and sometimes I've found I don't have the right card," he said.

Douglas Brown of Penrose Park said, "I'm trying to comprehend it. I'm trying to figure out if it will be an improvement for me." Brown, who uses a monthly pass to commute by train on the Airport Line and to travel by bus and subway around the city, said he was "not sure how it would be easier" to use the new system.

The new electronic system will mean the demise of the cashiers at subway stations. Their job is not to make change but to accept cash payments from riders. Those workers will "metamorphose to customer service positions," SEPTA general manager Joseph Casey said Friday.

Casey said SEPTA needs "more outreach" with its passengers to explain the changes that are coming. To that end, SEPTA plans to make its fare-system presentation to regional audiences in the next few weeks, spokesman Richard Maloney said.

Read the full article here.
Details about SEPTA's New Payment Technologies plan is available here.

NJ Transit plans fast bus service in South Jersey

2011-04-06T11:10:00.008-04:00

by Paul Nussbaum, Inquirer Staff Writer
April 6, 2011

NJ Transit's latest proposals for fast bus service between South Jersey and Philadelphia envision trips along Routes 42 and 55 and the Atlantic City Expressway that could save motorists from five to 10 minutes in typical rush-hour traffic.

But when traffic stalls because of accidents or bad weather, planners said, the buses could take advantage of dedicated lanes and stoplight overrides to keep moving when cars can't.

"The biggest issue is reliability," said Gary Davies, a transportation consultant for NJ Transit. Davies said the proposed "bus rapid transit" routes could make the 17-mile trip in about 30 minutes, compared with the current 40-minute car ride.

Davies and other NJ Transit consultants and officials presented four alternative plans Tuesday in an open house at Camden County College in Gloucester Township.

The plans would all get riders from Winslow Township to Camden and Philadelphia with varying levels of service and speed.

No cost estimates were presented, but officials have said the most complex alternatives could cost about $100 million. And a round-trip bus ticket could cost about $10.

The bus plans are proceeding as engineers continue to study the possibility of also building a $1.5 billion light-rail line between Glassboro and Camden.

Residents and commuters at the open house generally liked the idea of getting out of the current traffic on South Jersey's most congested roads.

Current bus service is often slow and unreliable, and during rush hours, drivers have to endure packed roads weaving through the dangerous interchange near Bellmawr where 42, I-295, and I-76 converge. "I have to take the bus now, and if they could do this, it would be very helpful," said student Maria Diamatoukos, 22, of Collingswood, as she hurried to catch a bus from the campus Tuesday.

An engineering student, Anton Smirnov, 19, of Haddon Township, said his current daily commute requires a seven-minute PATCO train ride from Westmont to Lindenwold and a 30-minute bus trip from Lindenwold. A fast bus service would be good, he said, "but I would prefer to see a rail system that would connect everything. I wish the U.S. could be more like Germany or Japan, with less cars and more trains."

Warren Strumpfer, a retired resident of Blackwood who frequently travels to Philadelphia, said he would like to have both the proposed rail line and the fast buses. "I'd like to see something done as soon as possible," said Strumpfer, a member of the citizens advisory panel for the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. "And I'd like to see more tolling to help pay for it."

Project manager R.J. Palladino said bus rapid transit "has a lot of the benefits of light rail with a lower cost and it's easier to implement." He said planners expect to have the four alternatives analyzed by fall, with estimates of ridership and costs for a preferred alternative.

Planners are looking at building park-and-ride lots adjacent to all-weather bus stations at as many as nine locations, stretching from the current Avandale lot in Winslow Township to a proposed stop near Bellmawr.
If NJ Transit decides to proceed with the fast bus plans, construction is still years away, dependent partly on costs and the availability of federal funding, Palladino said.

The project's website is www.SouthJerseyTransit.com.
View the original article here.

Air Quality Partnership Hosting Lawn Mower Trade-In Event

2011-03-17T10:27:00.001-04:00

Significant discounts on electric mowers for first 140 registrants

Residents in southeastern Pennsylvania will have an opportunity to get rid of their old, gas-powered lawn mowers and purchase environmentally friendly discounted electric or push mowers at an event on Saturday, May 7 in Springfield Township, Montgomery County.

Hosted by the Air Quality Partnership (AQP), a program to reduce air pollution in the region, the event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Springfield Township High School parking lot at 1801 East Paper Mill Road, Erdenheim, PA.

Interested residents can pre-register at www.airqualitypartnership.org. The first 140 registrants will receive a $50 voucher toward a new, electric or push lawn mower. Black and Decker will be on-site, giving up to an additional 30% off to those who purchase a mower at the event. Registration will close at 250 participants.

The AQP is partnering with Sustainable Waste Solutions (SWS) to haul away the old mowers. All mowers must be drained of fluids before drop-off. A list of Montgomery County hazardous waste collection information can be found at here.

AQP is a program of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), which educates residents about the dangerous effects of ground-level ozone, and provides air quality forecasts to the public. Gas-powered lawn mowers are a major contributor to ground-level ozone, and purchasing an electric mower is just one way the public can help the environment. To sign-up for air quality forecasts and alerts, and for tips on how to reduce air pollution, visit the newly redesigned website, www.airqualitypartnership.org.

About Sustainable Waste Solutions

Sustainable Waste Solutions, LLC, an environmentally green recycling and solid waste services company, is the first landfill-free waste company in our region. Its focus is converting trash to renewable energy. Headquartered in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Sustainable Waste Solutions serves its clients throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley and Delaware.

10th Annual EPA National Award for Smart Growth Achievement

2011-03-03T13:44:00.000-05:00

From EPA's website:

EPA is pleased to announce that the application period for the 10th annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement is now open. This competition is open to public- and private-sector entities that have successfully used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. Winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in December 2011.

The entry deadline is April 6, 2011.
Applicants may be public- or private-sector entities, but all applications must include a public-sector partner. Applications for public-nonprofit activities are welcome but must be submitted by the public-sector participant.
Applications must be submitted using the official entry form. There is one entry form for all four categories. The categories are:
- Programs, Policies, and Regulations: This category recognizes regulatory and policy initiatives that support the principles of smart growth. EPA is particularly interested in actions that remove barriers to or provide incentives for smart growth.
- Smart Growth and Green Building: This category recognizes development that combines smart growth and green building approaches as building design and materials are integrated with land use and location efficiency. Projects may be single or multiple buildings.
- Civic Places: This category recognizes projects in the public realm that improve a community's sense of place while adding environmental and economic benefits. EPA is particularly interested in projects that create well-designed and vibrant public spaces.
- Rural Smart Growth: This category recognizes communities that preserve and encourage rural economies and character. EPA is interested in thriving rural areas that have used smart growth approaches to encourage economic development and job creation, improve transportation choices and housing options, and support the economic viability of working lands.
Applicants may apply in only one category for a given project.
An " Overall Excellence" winner will be chosen from the four categories by the review panels.
Significant activity must have occurred in the project or program between April 6, 2006, and April 6, 2011.

Click here to download the official award guidelines and entry form (MS Word).

Win a prize for your alternate commutes!

2011-03-02T15:00:00.000-05:00

GVF, a Transportation Management Association (TMA), located in King of Prussia, PA launched their Commuter Challenge Bingo program in early January. The program looks to reward commuters who utilize alternatives for their daily ride to work. Alternatives include telework, biking, walking, public transit, vanpooling or carpooling.

Bingo participants can sign up at http://www.phillytraffic.com/bingo/index.html and receive an electronic bingo card (in PDF format). Once the participant "acheives bingo," they will sumbit their bingo card to GVF. The first 10 participants to submit a completed card will win a prize. The Commuter Challenge runs through March 31, 2011.

More details on the Commuter Challenge Bingo program are available on GVF's Green Source blog.

Updated PATCO Materials Available on www.GetTransitChek.org

2011-01-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

Many clients have asked for updated PATCO FREEDOM Card Schedule for the 2011 year. This information, along with an updated PATCO FREEDOM Card Spreadsheet are both available on the front page of www.GetTransitChek.org. Please note, FREEDOM Card Spreadsheets should be emailed in Excel format to transitchek@edenredusa.com. Instructions about ordering PATCO FREEDOM Card loads are included in the FREEDOM Card schedule.

Clients can avoid the process of emailing and printing FREEDOM Card orders by placing an order via our secure, online ordering site. To do this, visit GetTransitChek.org and click Place Online Order.

Important tips:

Have your company's FREEDOM Card order and payment to Edenred 48 hours before the load date. Loads usually occur on a Friday, it is recommended to have them to Edenred by Wednesday
PATCO has 3 business days to load the cards; FREEDOM Card numbers and funds are sent to PATCO on Friday, and the cards will be loaded by PATCO no later than the following Wednesday. Cards may be loaded before the 3 business day period, but this is not a regular practice
If an employee receives a new FREEDOM Card, please update your company's records and submit the new card number with your next order
If an employee informs you that they have a new card number and it is after their FREEDOM Card load was submitted, please have the employee contact PATCO at 1-877-343-6777 to have their balance transferred. Only the employee may call, as they need to confirm contact info and a security question they provided to PATCO when they obtained their FREEDOM Card

American Heart Association introduces "Start! Fit Friendly Companies" program

2011-01-18T12:16:00.000-05:00

Get Your Company the Healthy Recognition it Deserves

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the U.S., and physical inactivity doubles the risk. This is a scary thought when you realize we spend most of our waking hours sitting behind our desks at work. But all is not lost! If your office becomes a Start! Fit-Friendly Company, you can help lower the risk of heart disease for yourself and your coworkers.

Start! Fit-Friendly Companies are recognized by the American Heart Association as employers who go above and beyond when it comes to their employees' health. With your help, your workplace can:

Provide walking routes
Promote walking programs and tracking tools
Allow staff to wear athletic shoes on designated "sneaker days"

The American Heart Association has unique requirements for the different levels of recognition. Take a look at the current lists of company considered to be Start! Fit-Friendly:

Easy, Online Application Process

Becoming a Start! Fit-Friendly Company is simple and fast with the online application tool. Visit the American Heart Association's site to take your first step in becoming a Start! Fit-Friendly Company! You can renew your company's application there, too!

According to a 2010 APTA Passenger Transport article, living near transit results in a healthier lifestyle and longer life expectancy. From the August 16, 2010 issue of Passenger Transport:

Residents of communities with high-quality public transportation drive less, exercise more, live longer, and are generally healthier than residents of communities that lack quality public transit, according to Evaluating Public Transportation Health Benefits, a survey of current research conducted by Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute on behalf of APTA.

“Public transportation enhances the overall quality of life of an individual and a community,” said APTA President William Millar. “Use of public transit simply means that you walk more, which increases fitness levels and leads to healthier citizens. More importantly, increasing use of public transit may be the most effective traffic safety countermeasure a community can employ.”

By aggregating the findings of several recent studies, the study concludes that people who live in transit-oriented “smart growth” communities enjoy several health benefits compared to those who do not:

They drive less, exposing them to a lower risk of fatal vehicle accidents;
They experience less environmental pollution because public transportation produces far less emissions per passenger mile than private automobiles; and
They are more likely to undertake regular physical activity than are residents of automobile-dependent communities.

TransitChek Newsletter -- Winter 2011

2011-01-10T12:43:00.001-05:00

Click on the images below to see enlarged newsletter.

TransitChek Welcomes 22 New Clients

2011-01-04T13:13:00.000-05:00

In the last quarter, these companies began offering TransitChek to their employees:

Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano
Dentistry at 1818 Market St LLC
FedChoice Federal Credit Union
Anexinet Corp
The Neat Company Inc
Decision Strategies International
Ward Greenberg Heller and Reidy
Todd A Fleischman DMD and Associates PC
Germantown Academy
Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger
Botstiber Foundation
Germantown Friends School
AARP
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Neil J Bonavita
Wisniewski and Mensing LLP
Legal Clinic for the Disabled
Rittenhouse Eye Assoc
Destination Maternity Corporation
Pulsar Informatics Inc
BIMC
Martin and Smith Inc

Thank you for your support of TransitChek and your efforts to increase mobility and improve air quality in our region.

PATCO Postpones Fare Increase

2011-01-04T12:11:00.000-05:00

PATCO planned to increase fares as of January 1, 2011, but a mid-December vote by the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Board postponed the increases by six months. PATCO fares will change on July 1, 2011 and are expected to increase approximately 10%.

Current PATCO fares can be viewed at http://www.ridepatco.org/schedules/fares.html. One-way fares range from $1.25 to $2.70.

The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges, and PATCO. The DRPA also owns the RiverLink Ferry.

Important Update: Congress Passes One-Year Extension of Transit Benefit

2010-12-17T09:42:00.002-05:00

As you are aware, last year in the Federal stimulus package known as ARRA, language was included which temporarily established parity between the transit and parking portions of the transportation fringe benefit at $230/month. This provision was set to expire at the end of this month. For TransitChek, it has been a priority to make this provision permanent.

On December 16, 2010, the House of Representatives passed HR 4853. Included in this legislation was an extension of the transit benefit for one year. The monthly cap on TransitChek benefits will continue at $230/month through the end of 2011.

We at TransitChek understand this continuance comes as a surprise to our clients, since we’ve been regularly sending alerts to the contrary. While we were hopeful for this result, we did not wish to mislead any of our clients and encourage incorrect deductions. However, now clients may continue to offer this benefit at the higher cap of $230/month!

We offer our thanks to the TransitChek clients that contacted their elected officials in support of the transit benefit. We also appreciate the continued support of our TransitChek clients and their employees.

As a reminder, the monthly cap on TransitChek benefits will continue at $230/month through the end of 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact TransitChek at 215-592-1800 or visit www.GetTransitChek.org.

APTA Legislative Alert - December 7, 2010

2010-12-09T12:06:00.000-05:00

From the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Legislative Alert:

Lame Duck Congress Continues to Work on Tax Legislation – Extensions of Alternative Fuels Credit and Commuter Benefits Still Under Consideration – Immediate Action Needed!

Today, the Obama Administration and Republican negotiators announced they have reached a deal in principle on legislation to extend for two years expiring tax cuts for individuals that were originally enacted in 2001 and 2003. The deal, if approved by the full Congress, would extend tax cuts for all individuals, regardless of income level, and extend expiring unemployment benefits for 13 months. The full details of the package still need to be worked out in the Senate, and it is unclear whether there will be enough votes to pass the negotiated bill because many Democrats believe the tax cuts should be extended only for individuals earning less than $200,000 per year and families earning less than $250,000 per year.

As part of the negotiations, Congress will decide whether to add a package of tax extenders that includes an extension of the alternative fuels tax credit for transit vehicles, which expired at the end of 2009. In addition, a proposal to extend the commuter tax benefit to provide parity with the parking tax benefit is under consideration. The commuter tax benefit was raised to $230 per month under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last year. This provision expires on December 31 of this year, and if it is not extended, would revert back to its previous level of $120 per month. Supporters of these provisions in both the House and Senate have continued to push to include these important tax provisions in the final bill. Both provisions were approved earlier this year by both Houses of Congress in different tax packages, but eventually dropped out.

Late last week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) attempted to add a large package of tax credits and benefits, including the alternative fuels tax credit and the commuter tax benefit, to an earlier version of the tax bill. This attempt was unsuccessful. However, there is still an opportunity to add these provisions to the new tax package currently under negotiation. It is critical for APTA members to contact their members of Congress and urge them to support the inclusion of the alternative fuels tax credit and the commuter tax benefit in the final tax package.

When you speak to your members or staff, please urge the following:

• Ask them to support the addition of the alternative fuels tax credit and the commuter tax benefit in the final tax package.

• Ask them to contact key negotiators and urge them to accept those provisions in the final package. These negotiators are Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and John Kyl (R-AZ) and Representatives Dave Camp (R-MI) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

For more information, contact Paul Dean at (202) 496-4887 or email pdean@apta.com.

TransitChek Benefit Expiration

2010-12-08T08:30:00.001-05:00

As you are aware, last year in the Federal stimulus package known as ARRA, language was included which temporarily established parity between the transit and parking portions of the transportation fringe benefit at $230/month. This provision is set to expire at the end of this month. For TransitChek, it is a priority to make this provision permanent.

We have been following the topic very closely and, at present, the cap will be expiring on December 31, 2010. The new cap for TransitChek benefits in 2011 is $120/month. Please make the appropriate changes to your TransitChek payroll deductions.
The change in the monthly cap does not impact the dollar amount of TransitCheks you can redeem. That is limited to 10 vouchers (no matter the denomination).

TransitChek is following the news on this topic and we will alert you ASAP if there are any changes.

Are you wondering what you can do to help? Please contact your representatives in the House and Senate encouraging their support for the Commuter Benefit Equity Act, which would make permanent a temporary increase in the value of the transit tax-free benefit for commuting. It saves employees and their families hundreds of dollars each year on their commute and also provides a savings to their employers. The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), S. 322 and in the House by Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), H.R. 891.

PATCO FARES INCREASE ON JANUARY 1ST

2010-11-29T13:08:00.000-05:00

The Delaware River Port Authority is reminding PATCO riders a fare hike of 10% takes effect on January 1^st 2011. The PATCO Board of Commissioners approved the fare hike in August of 2008. The 10% hike was scheduled to take effect in September of 2010 but the Board decided to postpone the increase until January 1^st. The last fare hike was in September of 2008 and that was a 10% increase.

Here are the new one way fares which take effect on January 1^st:

Between Lindenwold, Ashland or Woodcrest and Philadelphia the new one way fare is $3.00, a 30 cent increase.
Between Haddonfield, Westmont or Collingswood and Philadelphia the new one way fare is $2.60, a 25 cent increase.
Between Ferry Avenue and Philadelphia the new one way fare is $2.25, a 20 cent increase.
Between Broadway or City Hall and Philadelphia the new one way fare is $1.40, a 15 cent increase.
Between any two New Jersey Stations the new one way fare is $1.60, a 15 cent increase.
Between any two Philadelphia Stations the new one way fare is $1.40, a 15 cent increase.

The federally mandated off-peak fare available to seniors, Medicare card holders and disabled customers enrolled in the Reduced Fare Program will increase 8 cents to 70 cents. Information on the fare schedules can be found on PATCO’s website, www.ridepatco.org.

NJ Transit Offers "My Bus" Information

2010-10-27T14:14:00.000-04:00

Waiting for your bus and wondering where it is? Now you will be able to find out when the next bus is due.

You can call NJ Transit at 973-275-5555 or text the 5-digit bus stop number to MYBUS (69287) and you'll get information about the next buses to arrive at your stop.

Washington Post Article on Commuter Benefits

2010-10-27T13:33:00.001-04:00

Transit subsidy set to return to $120

By Lisa Rein

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 26, 2010; 6:58 PM

Federal employees and some private-sector workers who take public transit have enjoyed a big break in their commuting costs since early last year, thanks to the stimulus law. The tax-free dollars they could set aside from their paychecks have almost doubled.

To read the complete article, please visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/26/AR2010102605955.html

$230 monthly cap set to expire

2010-10-13T14:11:00.000-04:00

As you are aware, last year in the Federal stimulus package known as ARRA, language was included which temporarily established parity between the transit and parking portions of the transportation fringe benefit at $230/month. This provision is set to expire at the end of this calendar year. For TransitChek, it is a priority to make this provision permanent.

On September 23rd, representatives from the commuter benefit industry met with top Congressional officials to discuss extending the parity provision.

During these meetings, it was learned that Congress does not anticipate taking action on a tax bill before Congress adjourns for the elections. Additionally, there is no clear plan as to when, or even if, a tax bill will move after the mid-term elections. Essentially, if and when a tax bill moves this Congress, there is a high priority that at least an extension of the $230 cap will be included. However, the likelihood of a tax bill moving through Congress is unknown at this time. At this point, several organizations are working with Congress to explore all options, and while we wish there was a definitive answer to the question of whether or not parity will be extended, the simple answer is right now, we still do not know for sure.

If Congress fails to move on a tax bill and extend parity, the transit and vanpool levels will drop back down to $120/month, beginning in January, 2011, until action is taken (a cost of living adjustment is possible). We do not expect any further change in the situation until after the elections and will keep you updated as soon as new information is available.

Transit Commuter Benefits Set to Expire at Year-End, Action Needed!

2010-10-04T14:18:00.001-04:00

From the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) October 1, 2010 Legislative Update:

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) contained an important provision that created temporary parity between parking and transit/vanpool commuter tax benefits in the Internal Revenue Code.

Before passage of ARRA, employers could offer their employees an up to $230 per month in pre-tax parking benefits and/or $120 per month in pre-tax transit/vanpool benefits. Under ARRA, the transit/vanpool portion of the benefit was increased to $230 per month, treating each mode of transportation as equal. This provision is set to expire on December 31, 2010, and without an extension, the transit tax benefit would be reduced by more than half to the previous $120 per month amount.

It is essential that Congress pass legislation during the lame duck session to either extend the higher commuter tax benefit contained in ARRA, or to permanently equalize the transit benefit and parking benefit.

APTA members are urged to contact their Representatives and Senators and urge them to extend and make permanent the parity between the Parking and Transit Commuter Benefits. When you talk to your member of Congress, please explain the following:

Explain that federal tax law on transportation fringe benefits should treat both transit and parking equally.
Tell them that failure to extend the commuter benefit will effectively raise taxes on participating transit riders and employers at a time when we should be encouraging transit ridership for the environmental, energy, economic, and quality of life benefits it provides.

For more information, contact Brian Tynan at (202) 496-4897 or btynan@apta.com.

TransitChek Welcomes Seven New Clients

2010-09-08T14:54:00.001-04:00

We would like to welcome seven new TransitChek clients to our program:

Document Depository Corporation
Law Offices of Richard A Jaffe
Veterans Financial Inc
KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School
Quantum Inc
Trans-Pacific Engineering Corp
Tucker Law Group LLC

Thank you for your support of TransitChek and your efforts to increase mobility and improve air quality in our region.

SEPTA Updates Mobile Site

2010-08-23T09:49:00.000-04:00

SEPTA has enhanced their mobile version of their website. You can visit m.septa.org to view alerts and advisories, schedules, fare information, maps, TrainView. From www.septa.org:

Smartphone users... rejoice. Meet the latest mobile site. m.septa.org has been completely revamped to give customers a fresh look and more information to stay in the know, on-the-go.

A host of new features now add to the latest m.septa.org experience.

An entirely new look & feel featuring the bold colors and icons familiar from our standard site
Complete details on all fare options with pricing information
Maps of all SEPTA Regional Rail & Rail Transit services
Sales locations listed by geographic region, with zip code & location search
Our Newsroom with the year's press releases, news bites, and news clips
Special services being offered @SEPTA to area events, concerts and sporting events
More detailed station profile pages with a Google Maps locator

Mobile SEPTA is proudly designed and driven through our in-house development team.
Since December 2009, m.septa.org has offered the latest travel advisories, station location information, quick links to TrainView and Next To Arrive mobile and our Customer Service comment form.
The relaunched m.septa.org is best viewed with most recent smartphones including iPhone, Android, Palm Pre and Blackberry models with the 6.0 operating system. For the ultimate experience, when possible, make sure JavaScript and CSS are turned on in the phone's settings.

m.septa.org continues to remain a work in progress. SEPTA is committed to bringing our mobile users new features and enhancements. Share any comments or suggestions through our online Customer Service comment form.

Bookmark m.septa.org and keep moving with SEPTA in your pocket.

Sign Up to Take Part in the FREEDOM Card Pilot

2010-06-25T14:30:00.001-04:00

From DRPA's June 2010 E-Newsletter...

PATCO's FREEDOM card will soon be more convenient than ever!

In the coming weeks, PATCO will be introducing its new website for managing FREEDOM cards. Our customers will be able to

Set up a web account
See a history of their FREEDOM card transactions
Register cards for balance protection
Change registration (e.g., change of address or phone number)
Add value using MasterCard, VISA, and American Express credit cards
Set up or change AutoLoad information
Notify the Service Center of a lost or defective card.

The Pilot Program will begin early in August and involve a limited number of "test pilots" over a period of approximately six weeks.

If you are interested in participating, please click here and provide a ranking of the types of transactions you envision exercising. You must be a current FREEDOM cardholder to participate.

For more information about PATCO, please visit their website at www.ridepatco.org.

SEPTA Board votes to increase fares

2010-05-28T11:24:00.004-04:00

At yesterday's Board Meeting, SEPTA voted to increase fares between 6- and 10-percent. Fare increases are effective on July 1, 2010; the start of SEPTA's new fiscal year.

The cash fare of $2, remains, but all other fares will see an increase. Senior Citizen fares are NOT affected by the fare increase. A summary of commuting fare instruments is at the bottom of this post. Please note, there are other fares that are affected (day pass, independence pass, family pass), but have been omitted from the list.

In addition to the fare changes, the Board voted to eliminate the Regional Rail's off-peak fares before 7 pm on weekdays. Mid-day riders of the Regional Rail will now pay peak fare prices.

The fare increases are expected to generate more funds for the operating budget.

Update (6/9/2010): A complete list of new fare instruments and associated pricing can be viewed at http://www.septa.org/fares/new/fare-brochure-2010.pdf.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please remember that the monthly cap on TransitChek remains at $230/month. TransitChek administrators: please allow your TransitChek users to make changes to their benefit amount; this will allow staff to leverage more tax-free dollars to pay for their increasing commute. This also translates into higher FICA tax savings for your company.

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact us at 215.592.1800.
(please click on the image below to enlarge)

National Transportation Week, May 14 - 20

2010-05-06T13:10:00.004-04:00

"Transportation is the tie that binds us," said Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater during a March 8 rally of representatives from more than 30 organizations. Held to create support for National Transportation Week (NTW), which is May 14 through 20, the rally highlighted many of the successes so far of the planning group and encouraged participation in this year's events.

"Transportation is about a journey," Slater said. "National Transportation Week gives us an opportunity to say that. ... It is a wonderful time to give voice and form to that story."

The rally also emphasized "Workforce Issues" as the focus of NTW this year. In a time when job opportunities outnumber the personnel available to fill them, NTW is sponsoring activities that will encourage young people to pursue careers in transportation.

Read the full press release here: http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/mayjun00/ntw.htm

More information and a tool kit that outlines how organizations can spread the word about NTW on a local level is available here: http://www.ntweek.org

NJ Transit Fare Changes

2010-05-06T12:53:00.006-04:00

NJ Transit Board Approves Fare Increases.

As of May 1, NJ Transit fares have increased between 10 and 25%, dependent upon the mode of travel. In addition to the fare changes, service changes have been implemented in the NJT system.

In the greater Philadelphia area, there are three modes of NJT service--the RiverLINE, NJT Buses, and the Atlantic City Rail Line.

If you have employees that ride NJ Transit, please remember that you are able to make changes to your TransitChek orders and can adjust employees' payroll deductions to accommodate the fare changes.

Unlike 125 plans, TransitChek deductions are under a different tax code (132f) and not a once-a-year decision. TransitChek deductions can be modified at any time. And, the monthly cap on TransitChek benefits remains $230.

Please allow time for updated fare tables to be posted to the NJ Transit site. A summary of fare changes is available here.

Attention Wilmington DE commuters

2010-01-15T14:18:00.001-05:00

From the DART Rider Notice News E-Mail for January 15, 2010:

New Temporary Wilmington Train Station Advisory - The next phase of station construction begins on February 1, 2010. The station will be relocated to a temporary structure located in the Walnut Street Alley. The temporary station main entrance is located at the corner of Front Street and Walnut Street. The temporary station will have all the amenities and services including Coffee Shop, News Stand, Car Rentals, Vending, ATM, JR's Shoe Shine, and DART Transit Store.

The Wilmington Train Station DART Transit Store will close at 6 PM on January 29 due to the opening of the new temporary station on February 1. The DART store will also be relocated to the temporary station and reopen on February 1. SEPTA R2 riders are advised to purchase their passes in advance of the closing at other SEPTA ticket locations.

2010 PATCO FREEDOM Card Uploads

2010-01-07T13:58:00.004-05:00

TransitChek will continue to submit weekly transfers for PATCO FREEDOM Cards for the 2010 calendar year. You will find an updated of schedule as to when your order should be received by Accor and when employees can expect to see funds loaded onto their FREEDOM Cards. The file will continue to be sent to PATCO on Fridays, unless it conflicts with a DVRPC office closure. The dates that are affected include:

Friday, November 26^th

Friday, December 24^th

Friday, December 31^st

In lieu of the dates above, FREEDOM card orders will be submitted to PATCO on the following dates:

Wednesday, November 24^th

Thursday, December 23^rd

Thursday, December 30^th

Please remember, PATCO has three business days to load employees’ FREEDOM Cards.

If you want to upload TransitCheks to FREEDOM Cards, please do the following steps:

1. Collect employees’ FREEDOM Card numbers and the amounts they would like uploaded to their FREEDOM Cards. You are no longer confined to the denominations offered by TransitChek vouchers ($97.00? $42.00? Sure! But not $41.34.). Please note, if employees get new cards, they must give you their new FREEDOM Card number ASAP. Requesting money to be loaded onto the wrong card could cause a delay.

2. Complete the PATCO FREEDOM Card Order Form (available on the front page of www.GetTransitChek.org) and please follow the instructions on the top of the form.

3. Those instructions request that you email the document (in MS Excel format) to transitchek@accorservicesusa.com. Please do not send a PDF. If you do not email the FREEDOM Card Order Form, this can delay your order. Please print out a hard copy of the FREEDOM Card Order Form and mail it, along with your Re-Order Form and payment. A FREEDOM Card cannot be loaded until payment is received.

4. Please have your order and payment to Accor Services 48 hours before (usually a Wednesday) the load date to ensure your employees’ cards are included in that Friday’s FREEDOM Card upload.

5. Please remind your employees that PATCO has three business days to load their FREEDOM Cards.

Please remember that the FREEDOM Card is a PATCO-only product, not a TransitChek product.

We ask that you continue to allow 2 weeks to turnaround your TransitChek voucher order.

2010 Load Schedule (click on image to enlarge)

September 22nd is World Carfree Day

2009-09-10T11:39:00.002-04:00

World Carfree Day is an annual celebration of cities and public life, free from the noise, stress and pollution of cars. Every September 22, people from around the world get together in the streets and neighborhoods to celebrate World Carfree Day and to remind the world that we don't have to accept our car-dominated societies.

World Carfree Day, promoted and supported by the World Carfree Network, is intended to advance the economic, social and environmental benefits of self-propelled or mass transportation. It is meant to promote more sustainable ways of transportation and new ways of building and thinking the urbanism of our cities, allowing streets to be a living space, rather than only a transit space.

With the global economy in free fall, car makers are facing turbulent times and people around the world are re-evaluating their relationship with the car. So now is the perfect timing to try out the alternatives, spread the carfree word, join or start a World Carfree Day in your area! It is also time to push for a new use of car factories that could be used to build public transportation, providing employment and allowing us to build a better urban environment.

Before the 10th anniversary of World Carfree Day next year, let the 2009 edition be a showcase for how our cities might look like, feel like, and sound like without cars 365 days a year!

For more information, please visit www.worldcarfree.net.

TransitChek Newsletter

2009-08-05T14:23:00.004-04:00

Click on either image below to see an enlarged version of the most recent TransitChek newsletter. Topics include:

Upcoming Changes to the TransitChek program
EPA's Sustainability Partnership
DVRPC Recognizes Local Food Leaders
New TransitChek Clients from May through July

SEPTA Fare Guide

2009-07-20T12:19:00.000-04:00

Click on images above to see larger version.

SEPTA has recently released an updated Fare Guide for 2009/2010. This brochure provides concise information about sales: tickets, tokens, daily-, weekly- and monthly-passes. Both the first-time rider and the daily rider will find the brochure contents very helpful.

Pick up a copy at a SEPTA sales outlet, or contact SEPTA's Customer Service office at 215.580.7800.

DVRPC Urges Commuters to "Dump the Pump" on June 18

2009-06-16T11:33:00.000-04:00

With gas prices rising and your conscience telling you to “go green,” what better option do you have than to participate in National “Dump the Pump Day?” The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is urging commuters to take public transit on Thursday, June 18, the fourth annual “Dump the Pump Day.” The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is also asking transit agencies from across the country to encourage motorists to give up the “pump” in favor of public transportation.

“Public transportation plays a vital role in helping the environment and moving our region toward a more sustainable future,” said Barry Seymour, DVRPC Executive Director. “It is also a major factor in reducing congestion, so we encourage commuters to leave their cars at home and try transit.”

Taking transit can save money, too. DVRPC helps make it easier and less expensive for commuters to take transit. TransitChek, the region’s transit voucher program, allows employees to purchase their fares for less. Employers can offer the program as either a company-paid benefit (a tax-deductible business expense) or allow employees to partake through pre-tax payroll deductions (saving on taxes for both the employer and employee). By enrolling in this program, commuters can save more than $1000 a year in federal income taxes. Over 700 companies in the greater Delaware Valley region participate. For more information, visit www.GetTransitChek.org.

TransitChek is part of DVRPC’s Mobility Alternatives Program (MAP), which aids employers in in southeastern Pennsylvania in finding alternative ways for their employees to get to work. Whether it's on transit, in a car pool or van pool, or even working from home, MAP has information on what the alternatives are and how companies and individuals can take advantage of them. The program also offers information on the Share-A-Ride ridematch and Emergency Ride Home programs, open to employers and commuters. For more information visit www.dvrpc.org/MobilityAlternatives/.

DVRPC also encourages commuters to take transit on high ozone days, or “Air Quality Action” days, to help reduce pollution. DVRPC administers the Air Quality Partnership program, a coalition of public/private businesses in the region dedicated to improving air quality in the Delaware Valley. For daily air quality forecasts and more information about how to reduce air pollution, visit www.AirQualityPartnership.org.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission is dedicated to uniting the region’s elected officials, planning professionals and the public with the common vision of making a great region even greater. Shaping the way we live, work and play, DVRPC builds consensus on improving transportation, promoting smart growth, protecting the environment, and enhancing the economy. We serve a diverse region of nine counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer in New Jersey. DVRPC is the official metropolitan planning organization for the Greater Philadelphia Region - leading the way to a better future.

TransitChek moving to weekly FREEDOM Card uploads

2009-06-12T11:34:00.000-04:00

As of July 1 (the start of DVRPC’s new fiscal year), TransitChek will be moving to weekly FREEDOM Card uploads. The file will continue to be sent to PATCO on Fridays, unless it conflicts with a DVRPC office closure. The dates that are affected include:

Friday, July 3^rd
Friday, November 27^th
Friday, December 25^th
Friday, January 1^st

In lieu of the dates above, FREEDOM cards will be submitted to PATCO on the following dates:

Thursday, July 2^nd
Wednesday, November 25^th
Thursday, December 24^th
Thursday, December 31^st

Please remember, PATCO has three business days load employees’ FREEDOM Cards.

If you want to upload TransitCheks to FREEDOM Cards, please do the following steps:

1. Collect employees’ FREEDOM Card numbers and the amounts they would like uploaded to their FREEDOM Cards. You are no longer confined to the denominations offered by TransitChek vouchers ($97.00? $42.00? Sure! But not $41.34.). Please note, if their employees get new cards, they must give you their new FREEDOM Card number ASAP. Requesting money to be loaded onto the wrong card could cause a delay.

2. Complete the PATCO FREEDOM Card Order Form (available on the front page of www.GetTransitChek.org) and please follow the instructions on the top of the form.

3. Those instructions request that you email the document (in MS Excel format) to transitchek@accorservicesusa.com. Please do not send a PDF. If you do not email the FREEDOM Card Order Form, this can delay your order. Please print out a hardcopy of the FREEDOM Card Order Form and mail it, along with your Re-Order Form and payment. A FREEDOM Card cannot be loaded until payment is received.

4. Please have your order and payment to Accor Services 48 hours before (usually a Wednesday) the load date to ensure your employees’ cards are included in that Friday’s FREEDOM Card upload.

5. Please remind your employees that PATCO has three business days to load their FREEDOM Cards.

As of the February passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the monthly cap on TransitChek benefits is now $230/month, $2,760/year. Take full advantage of greater tax savings.

Please remember that the FREEDOM Card is a PATCO-only product, not a TransitChek product.

We ask that you continue to allow 2 weeks to turnaround your TransitChek voucher order.

TransitChek Newsletter

2009-05-14T12:09:00.000-04:00

Click on either image below to see the most recent TransitChek Newsletter.

Important News for weekend PATCO riders

2009-03-30T10:37:00.000-04:00

From www.RidePATCO.org site:

Debit/Credit unavailable on Saturday, April 4 & Sunday, April 5

PATCO will be upgrading its fare collection system beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 4.

During this work, FREEDOM card users will not be able to use debit or credit cards at the vending machines.

The ability to use credit cards for FREEDOM card transactions will be reinstated no later than 5 a.m. on Monday morning, April 6.

PATCO suggests that customers who travel on the weekend be prepared, taking advantage of one of the following options:

Prior to 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, load value onto their FREEDOM cards using debit/credit.
During the weekend of April 4-5, use cash to load value onto their FREEDOM cards, or
During the weekend of April 4-5, purchase a paper ticket with cash. During the weekend, customers will be able to use their FREEDOM cards or paper tickets at the fare gates.

Thank you for your patience during this process.

Stimulus Announcement

2009-02-18T12:37:00.001-05:00

Please click on the image to see a larger version of the announcement.

Federal Stimulus Package Increases Cap

2009-02-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

Congress has increased the monthly cap on transit and vanpool benefits to $230, effective immediately. The increased maximum brings parity to the financial incentive to take public transportation. Please see page 13 of the Act's Summary here: http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb021209.pdf.

The full text of HR 1: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is available on the Library of Congress' website: http://www.thomas.gov/home/approp/app09.html#h1.

Equal benefit, equal incentive
The transit benefit plays an important role in the way employers can directly impact their employees’ commuting habits; along with the positive impact on roadway congestion and improved air quality. Plus, increased participation in commuter benefits increases employers’ payroll tax savings. With this increase, employers can offer employees up to $230 per month in pre-tax transit/vanpool benefits. The change can save commuters with the longest and most costly commutes more than $1000 per year on average in tax savings; this significant increase could also potentially encourage many more commuters to take public transportation, which would result in tremendous environmental benefit for America’s traffic congested cities.

Public transit use equals smaller carbon footprints
According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), US public transportation saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually - that is equivalent to the emissions resulting from the electricity generated for the use of 4.9 million households or every household in Washington DC, New York City, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles combined. See the benefits of public transportation here.

If you would like to view a side-by-side comparison of the Senate proposal, House proposal and the signed Act, please visit this link on APTA's website.

Please note, this increase is effective immediately and is in place until January 1, 2011. At present, TransitChek will not be changing our voucher denominations or order processes.

TransitChek Newsletter

2009-01-30T11:29:00.000-05:00

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TransitChek and the Bicycle Benefit

2009-01-20T14:30:00.000-05:00

The language within The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008: H.R. 1424 is somewhat vague and inconclusive regarding several aspects of the new bicycle amendment to IRS Tax Code 132(f). TransitChek’s fulfillment house, Accor Services USA, has drafted a position on the issue of whether the benefit amount can be offered either as a pre-tax amount as well as a subsidy, in addition to salary.

At present, it is unclear as to whether the money can be taken pre-tax from an employee’s salary or whether the employer must offer this as a company-paid benefit. TransitChek is siding with Commuter Check/Accor in assuming it can be pre-tax, because it is under the same 132(f) regulation as the transit and parking benefits, which can be pre-tax. Some things to keep in mind:

It’s a new benefit with little direction at this point, and the limit is only $20/month right now, so it is not financially prudent or effective for TransitChek to create a separate “bicycle” voucher just yet;

Since this benefit cannot be taken in addition to the transit (or parking) benefit, and many bicyclists do use transit as part of their commute, we believe many folks will still opt to take the transit benefit over this;

That said, we will continue to inform our clients (and potential new clients) about this new addition to 132(f), because it has long been requested and will aid in the effort to encourage yet another alternate commute method. If an employer has many bicycle commuters who are not interested in the transit benefit and wants to take advantage of a voucher for bicycle expenses, it is our current policy to refer them to Commuter Check/Accor for their new voucher.

PATCO Records Passenger Milestone

2008-12-18T08:53:00.000-05:00

From the www.RidePATCO.org website:

PATCO President, John J. Matheussen, has announced PATCO has, for the first time since 2001, recorded 10 million trips in a year. Current ridership trends point toward one-million more trips on PATCO this year than in 2007. Matheussen says “reaching this milestone is a tribute to PATCO staff who consistently provide high quality service to our customers.”

PATCO General Manager, Bob Box, says PATCO has been attracting additional riders because “our service is reliable with a 98 percent on time performance record. In addition, our new automated fare collection system makes traveling on PATCO easy and convenient.”

PATCO Assistant General Manager, Cheryl Spicer, believes “fluctuating and unpredictable gasoline prices as well as the desire by our customers to conserve energy and protect the environment” have also resulted in additional riders.

Other factors credited for the increased ridership include the popular Transit Ambassador Program as well as improvements made at the PATCO stations.

PATCO service between Lindenwold, New Jersey, and Philadelphia began on February 15th, 1969 and over 416-million trips have been recorded during the nearly 40 years of service.

The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges, and PATCO, the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal and the RiverLink Ferry.

New Quality Control for PATCO Freedom Cards

2008-12-16T12:44:00.001-05:00

The FREEDOM Card pilot and implementation has been an excellent learning process for TransitChek. This is our first opportunity to work on a new fare collection system and provides us with excellent preparation for future changes to the region's other transit providers. Our clients have been especially patient with the process and TransitChek appreciates your continued support.

In order to create the highest level of quality control, Accor Services has implemented some additional features to ordering uploads to FREEDOM Cards. Each email submission into transitchek@accorservicesusa.com is reviewed and the completeness, accuracy and the format of all orders submitted to this email are evaluated. Standard email templates are in use so that all customers receive a confirmation email if their order is in good condition, and if not, Accor will identify what information is needed before they can proceed with the order.

If you have any questions about the status of your FREEDOM Card order (or TransitChek order), please contact Accor Services at 800.531.2828.

TransitChek program reaches $200M milestone

2008-12-09T10:17:00.000-05:00

From today's Philadelphia Business Journal:

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission announced Monday that sales for the TransitChek program it has facilitated since 1991 have reached $200 million.

More than 700 companies and organizations participate in the program, which provides tax breaks of up to $450 to commuters who use public transit. Employers pay a service fee and shipping and handling for vouchers used in the program, which can be used on all transit providers in the region, but benefit by savings on FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes, DVRPC said.

“The $200 million mark is significant because this money goes right back into our transit systems, attracting new riders and retaining current riders," DVRPC Executive Director Barry Seymour said. "This benefit gives commuters and their employers a significant tax break, while helping to manage traffic congestion and improve air quality in our region."

The vouchers can be used for SEPTA, PATCO, NJ Transit, DART First State, Amtrak (monthly commuters only) and VPSI Vanpool.

TransitChek limits increase for 2009

2008-11-17T10:28:00.000-05:00

The IRS recently announced that the monthly limit on commuter benefits will increase to $120 per month, as of January 1, 2009. This translates into an annual cap of $1,440. This $5 increase translates into greater savings for employers and their employees.

The IRS increases for 2009 are available here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-08-66.pdf

Many commuters spend upwards of $120 per month on their public transit commuting costs. Be sure to check in with all of your TransitChek participants and offer them the additional $5.

Don't forget, commuters participating in SEPTA's Permit-by-Mail program can also elect an additional $20 to pay for parking at their transit station. Documents specifically addressing this are available on our website: TransitChek & SEPTA Permit-by-Mail.

As always, you can contact us with questions at transitchek@dvrpc.org.