Latest Employer Services News
Green your business and register with 511 Contra Costa
The 511 Contra Costa Employer Based Trip Reduction (EBTR) program is designed to create initiatives that will increase the number of employees using alternative modes of transportation during their commutes.
Employers and multi-tenant building managers in Contra Costa County can register online here for a variety of no-cost commuter transportation support services. There is no obligation, and participation is voluntary.
Get the word out that you’re going green!
If you are actively promoting transportation alternatives in your workplace, we recommend directing employees to the resources on our website to find useful information on cycling, carpooling, vanpooling, and taking public transit. Also, consider taking advantage of our available services for making your workplace bike friendly.
511 Contra Costa also provides a countywide Guaranteed Ride Home progam for those who work in Contra Costa County and use a commute alternative.
Workshops and consultations
511 Contra Costa offers no-cost lunchtime commuter workshops for employers and employees. If you are a manager or HR director interested in having us provide free workshops on ways to implement no-cost or low-cost commute options for your employees, give us a call 925.969.0841 ext. 205. We’re happy to help!
Workshop topics can include:
- Pre-tax benefits for commute expenses
- Teleworking or compressed work week program development and mini-grants
- Obtaining Green Business Certification
- Establishing company-sponsored commuter reward programs
- Administering employee transportation surveys
- Spreading the word on the many 511 Contra Costa commuter incentive programs
Is your company relocating?
511 Contra Costa offers personalized reviews of workplace commute practices including parking policies, bicycle parking access, transit stop locations, and helpful ways to reduce the number of your employees who drive alone. Contact us at 925.969.0841 ext. 205 to learn more.
Organize a free transportation information event!
We also partner with transit agencies to organize transportation fairs at worksites to inform employees of regional commuter transportation options and programs. Contact us and request a free transportation fair at your worksite!
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| 511 Contra Costa hosts commuting infomation fairs at Shadelands Business Park in Walnut Creek (left) and with Brown and Caldwell in Walnut Creek (right). | |
Installing bike racks and lockers
Employers and multi-tenant building managers in Contra Costa County may be eligible to receive bicycle lockers and racks for use by their employees and the public. We pay for the racks or lockers, you pay for the installation. To read more about bike rack space requirements and placement constraints, download a PDF of our Bike Parking Infrastructure Guidelines.
Public transit and vanpool tax credits
Did you know that public transit riders and vanpoolers can set aside up to $245 of pre-tax income per month, saving up to $1,000 a year? And up to up to $490 per employee per month for both public transportation and qualified parking. Bicyclists can also set aside up to $20 a month. Your company must have the pre-tax withholding option in place in order to take advantage of these tax credits. If you need further information on how to set up a program at your worksite, we suggest speaking with your company’s payroll specialist and visiting the IRS websites listed below.
In 2013 the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (HR 8) has restored the pre-tax transit and vanpool commuter benefits to be on par with the qualified parking benefit. The effective date for the revised limits allows for retroactivity back to January 1, 2012 if an employer so chooses under Sec. 203.
Learn more about these tax credits by visiting Internal Revenue Code Section 132 (F), as amended by TEA-21, Title IX, Section 910.
