You Have Options to Fight High Gas Prices

Even with expensive gas, many people believe that they have no choice but to drive to work or to fill other needs. This is not always the case. A bit of advance planning might allow you to save fuel and big bucks. Here are some ideas to consider, courtesy of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC):

Share-A-Ride / PA Carpool

There is a regional database that matches people with potential ride share partners, based on the location of their home and where they work. This Share-A-Ride database, part of the PA Carpool network, works best when more people are in the system. Companies are encouraged to get their employees into the system, as well as the Emergency Ride Program that supports people who Share-A-Ride. Carpools of 2-4 people are the traditional way to ride together, but vanpools work particularly well with larger groups of people who travel 15 or more miles each way to work.

Transit

Chester County has transit options, which include SEPTA bus routes 92, 99, 104, 105, 204, 205, 206, 306, 314; the Coatesville Link, connecting Parkesburg with South Coatesville, Coatesville and the hospital areas; the Krapf “A” and its companion Evening Link serve Coatesville, Thorndale, Downingtown, Exton, with daytime trips to West Chester; and the SCCOOT, connecting southern Chester County communities Oxford and Kennett Square to West Chester. SEPTA’s R5 regional rail connects Thorndale and Downingtown with Paoli, Radnor and Center City Philadelphia. Amtrak provides access to Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New York from Parkesburg, Coatesville and Downingtown.

Transit Incentives

Employers can offer pre-tax support for transit or vanpools under the IRS Section 132(f) program. This allows qualified transportation benefits for transit passes or other fare instruments, or to support the cost of a vanpool where transit is not available. These benefits can provide a pre-tax benefit of up to $115 per month, with savings to the employer on FICA contributions as well. TransitChek is the regional program that provides vouchers through employers for SEPTA, Amtrak and VPSI vanpools, among others. Transit passes for the Beeline, Coatesville Link, Krapf A and SEPTA can also be purchased through the employer, using this program.

Flexible Work Scheduling

Some businesses are able to offer options that include four-day work weeks, flexible arrival and departure times and working from home (also known as telework or telecommuting). Given the value of an existing employee in today’s marketplace, it is worthwhile to consider these options to retain satisfied workers and reduce traffic at the same time.

The Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) supports companies that want to take an enlightened approach to employee transportation. Additional information on these services, as well as others available to companies and workers, is available at www.tmacc.org. To talk to the TMACC about customized solutions, please call 610-993-0911.