Programs

As a RideSmart partner with Prince George’s County, you are eligible for a host of FREE programs that reduce stress and save money.

Guaranteed Ride Home

Guaranteed Ride Home (otherwise known as GRH) provides commuters who regularly vanpool, carpool, bike, walk, or take transit with a reliable ride home when one of life’s unexpected emergencies arise. Commuters are able to use GRH for unexpected personal emergencies and unscheduled overtime up to four times a year. Best of all, the ride home by cab, rental car, bus, or train is free! Knowing that there is a guaranteed ride home allows you to use commuting options like transit and carpools with peace of mind and confidence.

Commuters must be registered in advance of an emergency to receive GRH benefits. You will receive a Commuter ID card with a personal registration number. Use the card when you need GRH services, up to 4 times a year. Commuter Connections has created a network of providers offering several transportation options to get commuters home quickly and safely.

Commuter Connections Application Form

Maryland Commuter Tax Credit

The Maryland State Legislature created an income tax credit (House Bill 636/Chapter 560 and Senate Bill 390/Chapter 559 of the session laws of 1999) for employers who provide commuting benefits to their employees. This law applies to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999, and can be taken against the state income tax, financial institution franchise tax or insurance premium tax. Employers who are subject to more than one of these taxes may elect to which tax the credit is applied. Employers may claim a tax credit for 50% of their costs for providing qualified commuter benefits, up to a maximum of $30 per participating employee per month (based on a $60 monthly expense). Any employer conducting or operating a trade or business in the State of Maryland, or any organization operating in Maryland that is exempt from taxation under 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible for the Commuter Tax Credit.

Vanpool Subsidy

The Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) offers a generous and effective vanpool subsidy: nine (9) passenger vans may receive a subsidy up to $850 and fifteen (15) passenger vans may receive a subsidy up to $1225. The County subsidy is paid during the first three months of a new vanpool operator’s expenses, up to 100% for the first month, 50% the second, and 25% during the third month of operation. The start-up period for a new vanpool is the most difficult. Until a stable clientele is established, operating expenses could fall upon the first few riders. The Rideshare Coordinator can help groups form a vanpool and maintain ridership. It is a great way to commute and offers the opportunity to make new friends. Call 301-577-0887 for additional information.

3 Month Start-Up Subsidy

• Month 1- 100% of monthly rental fee (not to exceed $700)

• Month 2- 50% of monthly rental fee (not to exceed $350)

• Month 3- 25% of monthly rental fee (not to exceed $175)

Vanpool Subsidy Application

• 9 passenger

• 15 passenger

Metrochek - Payroll Tax Deduction

Metrochek is a tax-free commuter benefit to offer to your employees. Your company may choose to only offer the payroll deduction program, but may also choose to pay for all or part of the Metrocheks. This program allows up to $105 in tax-free transportation benefits to an employee each month. Metrocheks are purchased in preset denominations - $1, $5, $10, $20, $30 - and then distributed to employees each month. And now with SmarTrip cards, accounting for and managing the program is easy and available online. If your company qualifies, you may deduct the full cost of this popular benefit.

Advantages of Metrochek

• Employees receive an additional benefit that is not declared as income

• Employees have an easy way to pay transit fare without cash

• Employers have an additional employee benefit to help recruit and retain the best employees

• Monthly Metrochek is available in convenient denominations

• SmarTrip cards are available in any denomination

• Simple program to administer--just hand out the card

• Metrocheks can be used in two ways:

Carpooling

This smarter way to work reduces the number of cars on the road and in your company parking lot. It allows your employees to use the high-occupancy vehicle lanes to bypass traffic congestion. In Prince George’s County, the HOV lane on US 50 is available in both directions between US 301 in Bowie and I-495 (Capital Beltway). You can successfully encourage carpooling by sponsoring company rideshare programs, which provide computerized matching of riders with the same needs. The Commuter Connections’ rideshare database makes it easy and can even provide you with a map indicating the locations of interested employees and the availability of transportation alternatives where they live.

Advantages of Carpooling

• Employees have less stress while traveling to work

• Financial savings for employees by sharing commuting costs

• Reduces the demand on company parking

 Telecommuting

Telecommuting makes staying home the easiest way to go to work. Options include working from home or satellite work centers, also known as telecenters, which are equipped with multiple workstations and office support. Millions of people go to work simply by picking up their phones or turning on their computers - saving themselves and their companies millions of dollars.

Click here to view a 3-minute movie on the benefits of telework.

Advantages of Telecommuting

• Improves employee productivity by removing commuting stresses and distractions

• Reduces lost productivity due to absenteeism in inclement weather

• Increases ability to attract and retain skilled workers, lowering recruiting and training costs

• Helps create opportunities for growing organizations with limited space availability

• Reduces the amount of office and parking space requirements.

Commuter Connections can help your company implement telecommute programs: Metropolitan Washington Telework Resource Center (part of the Commuter Connections Program) provides employers with information and assistance in implementing telecommuting and telework programs - including information packets, videos, information on regional telework centers, seminars, workshops, and demonstration projects. For a FREE CD on telecommuting, call 1-800-746-RIDE (7433).

Flextime

The most common time-management option for employers are variable work hours (also called flextime) and compressed work week schedules. Flextime programs, in which employees are given the option of adjusting their arrival and departure times, are proven ways to reduce congestion at peak travel times. Compressed work schedules (such as four-day, 10 hours-a-day work week) can eliminate one day a week of commuting for many employees.

Advantages of Flextime and Compressed Work Schedules

• Changes can be implemented companywide or by department

• Increases coverage for companies that communicate across time zones for customers requiring extended hours

• Allows employees to travel to and from work with less stress during off-peak hours

• Provides employees with greater flexibility in planning medical and personal appointments

• Employees can choose to work during their most productive hours (flextime)

Biking and Walking

Carbohydrates are the fuel for this commute alternative. Employers can help by providing showers, lockers, secure storage areas for bikes, and guides to pedestrian and bike paths in your area. Commuter Connections can assist your employees in finding bicycle partners and biking information to make their commute easier.

Washington Area Bicyclist Association

Pedestrian/Bike Paths (Hiker/Biker Trails)