Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: None
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jim Eggemeyer, Director, Office of Sustainability
Subject: Redesign of the Commute Alternatives Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Accept this report and provide guidance on the proposed changes to the Commute Alternatives Program.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Commute Alternatives Program (CAP) was established in December 1991 to comply with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District requirement that all companies in the Bay Area with 100 or more employees implement measures to reduce the number of employees commuting in single occupancy vehicles. To initially implement the CAP, in 1992, the Board approved a transit subsidy of $20 per month to encourage employees to use public transit or other means besides single occupancy vehicles when traveling to and from work.
About 20 years ago, the transit subsidy was increased to $75 a month. Employees who carpool, walk, or bike to work continued to receive the $20 a month stipend. Over time, additional services were added to the program including Emergency Rides Home, vanpool and carpool-only parking facilities, and bike lockers. Today, an average of 1,100 County employees participate in the CAP every month.
DISCUSSION:
In 2017, the Office of Sustainability, which currently operates the program, contracted with Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates to evaluate the program and recommend changes to improve participation. Nelson/Nygaard gathered input from County employees through workshops, an on-line survey and a booth at the County Benefits fair and researched current best practices for promoting commute alternatives.
Combining the employee input and the best practices research, Nelson/Nygaard developed a list of recommended changes to the CAP. The recommendations incorporate employee interest in a flexible program that promotes and rewards all alternatives to driving to work alone inclu...
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