The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Commuter Services office received the Employer Services Outreach Team Achievement Award from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Commuter Connections program for the second consecutive year, honoring its efforts to promote alternative commuting options with employers and improve regional air quality.
Per the news release: “The Montgomery County Department of Transporation’s (MCDOT) Commuter Services office was recognized for a second year in a row by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Commuter Connections program with the Employer Services Outreach Team Achievement Award for its outstanding work in creating and promoting commute alternative programs with employers. The award was part of Commuter Connections’ 50th anniversary celebration at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 2.
Commuter Services has been a strong local partner with the regional MWCOG’s Commuter Connections program, a regional network of transportation professionals dedicated to helping employers set up, improve and expand comprehensive commuter benefits and telework programs. These programs have been proven to help businesses recruit and retain employees, while addressing air quality, congestion and climate change concerns by incentivizing public transit.
“MCDOT’s Commuter Services program continues to be a leader in working with our business community to develop incentive programs that reduce reliance on single-vehicle commutes,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “The County is expanding our bus services with the new Ride On extRa Great Seneca Transit Network serving major employment and education hubs in Rockville. Our Flash Bus Rapid Transit network will offer express bus service along some of our County’s busiest corridors.”
The MCDOT Commuter Services section works with employers in the County to encourage commuter programs that are focused on reducing single occupancy driving and offering alternatives. While businesses are responsible for implementing the programs, MCDOT helps in program design, promotion and employee participation. The services are provided free to businesses and are designed to link available County, State and Federal resources to local businesses.
Employees working in the County can receive commuter benefits of up to $315 per month, if their employer contributes $25 per month toward the FareShare program. These benefits are tax-free for both employees and employers. Employers also can receive a tax credit for their contributions under the Maryland Commuter Choice program.
During the past year, MCDOT Commuter Services outreach representatives made more than 11,400 direct contacts with employers and conducted a total of 103,000 total contacts with employers using a variety of outreach methods. They also held more than 170 individual meetings with employers in Montgomery County.
One of those employers is Horizon, a local, owner-operated restaurant management company, headquartered in North Bethesda, which received this year’s Incentives Award. Horizon operates nine McDonald’s franchises with over 300 employees. The company provides incentives by developing a Transit-Aligned Work Schedule (TAWS) system that allows store managers to adjust for employees’ public transportation schedules when planning and assigning work hours. Employees also receive a monthly transit subsidy of up to $50 ($25 for part-time employees), administered through Metro’s SmartBenefits.
“I want to join MWCOG in recognizing Horizon for taking into account public transportation access when assigning shifts to employees,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “MCDOT regularly adjusts Ride On bus routes and schedules to reflect public demand. We look forward to working further with the business community to promote public transportation-friendly solutions for employees.”
The MWCOG Commuter Connections Awards program received nominations from employers throughout the region. Winners were selected for their dedication and ability to reduce gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through fewer vehicle trips and miles traveled, while creating measurable and sustainable commuter benefits for employees.
“The SmartBenefits program was easy to implement, offers a significant return on investment through increased employee retention, and provides an immediate, tangible benefit to my employees,” says Kari Swenson, the co-owner of Horizon. “When I ask my employees what keeps them here, they say it’s paid time off, and it’s SmartBenefits.”
Montgomery County businesses interested in expanding commuter options and benefits are urged to reach out to MCDOT’s Commuter Services Section for more information, or to enroll in the FareShare program, by calling 240-777-8382 or emailing [email protected].
For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Facebook, and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.”
