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The purpose of the TIS Update is to inform, update, and educate members of the University North
Transportation Initiative and the public on local mobility issues,
projects and developments.
Heads
Up Employers!
See below how to boost employee morale & save on payroll taxes
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Employer-Paid
Benefit
 | Employer provides employees with up to $100/month to
commute by transit or vanpool, usually in the form of
passes or vouchers. No payroll taxes are paid on the value
of the benefit.
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| Employee receives up to $100/month tax-free to commute
by transit or vanpool. The employee does not pay taxes on
the value of the benefit. |
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Employee
Pre-Tax Deduction
| Employer allows employees to set aside up to $100/month
in pretax income to pay for transit or vanpools. No
payroll taxes are paid on the income that is set aside by
the employee.
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| Employee saves on income tax and payroll taxes. The
amount of the benefit is no longer treated as taxable
salary. |
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Employee,
Employer Share Cost
| Employer pays transit and vanpool costs up to a certain
limit and the employee pays for the remainder of the costs
through a pre-tax deduction. Total employer and employee
paid costs cannot exceed the monthly limit of $100/month
for commute benefits. Employer saves on payroll taxes on
the portion of the subsidy paid by the employee through a
pre-tax deduction.
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| Employee does not have to pay any taxes on the portion
of the benefit provided by the employer. Additionally, the
employee saves on income tax and payroll taxes by taking a
pre-tax deduction for the remainder of his/her commuting
costs. |
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The
New North Transportation Alliance can assist you in developing a
Commuter Tax Benefit Program.
For
more information, contact Nevine Labib Georggi at (813) 974-9770
Tampa
Rail Project
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, HARTline, recently
received approval from the Federal Transit Administration to proceed
with development of a light rail system connecting downtown Tampa
with the University Area, Hyde Park, and the Westshore business
district. The proposed rail line would be 20.1 miles long and would
utilize 12.1 miles of existing CSX right-of-way. As seen in the
adjacent map, 26 stations and 9 park-and-ride lots are planned.
The Tampa Rail project is expected to cost $985 million. Assuming
approval of a local funding source, 50% of the cost would be funded
at the federal level, 36% at the local level, and the remainder at
the state level. The proposed local funding source is a $0.01 sales
tax increase for transportation, which would have to be approved,
through the voting process, by Hillsborough County citizens. If a
tax increase were approved, 57% of the resulting funds would be
allocated for rail and for improved bus service, which is necessary
for a multi-modal system. The remaining 43% would be allocated
toward other transportation improvements.
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Impacts
of Rail Transit in Community Development
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Development
near light rail stations maximizes public investment in
transit.
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Residential
and commercial projects appreciate in value faster than
other projects
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Development
near rail transit stations increases tax revenues for
local governments. |
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Pedestrian
activity around transit stations creates an attractive
environment for retail activity. This improves the
viability of small businesses. |
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By
attracting new developments, transit can be a catalyst for
revitalizing fading neighborhoods. |
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Housing
near transit can provide more accessible transportation,
especially for children, the elderly, and disabled. |
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Bike
to Work Week
The League of American
Bicyclists has declared May as National Bike Month™.
Bike-to-Work Week is May 12 -16, 2003
Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 16, 2003.
Join the bike-to-work event by:
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Riding to work or school at least
one day the week of May 12 - 16. |
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If you work at home, using your bike
to run errands. |
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Making a special effort to commute
by bicycle on Bike-to-Work Day - Friday, May 16th |
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Finding a bicycle commute buddy. |
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Getting a non-cycling co-worker to
ride with you to work one day
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For days of
unexpected rain, take your bike with you on any HARTline
local and express route to work, school, shopping, or just
for fun. |
According to the Bay Area Commuter
Services, BACS, the top 10 reasons to ride a bike-to-work are:
10. There's less traffic congestion-thanks to you.
9. You'll see more of your town - and the great outdoors.
8. The fresh air will do you good.
7. You'll save money on health club dues.
6. You're doing your part for the environment.
5. Great conversation starter at lunch.
4. No parking hassles-or parking tickets.
3. You get a great workout.
2. You'll be eligible for the Guaranteed Ride Home Program*
And reason number one: You won't have to listen to those TV/radio
traffic reports any more!
* If you're worried an emergency
might arise that prevents you from biking home from work, register
for the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program. GRH supplies up to 8
free taxi rides home from work per year - in case of emergencies.
Contact BACS at 1-800-998-RIDE to sign up for GRH today!
Vanpool
Riders Wanted:
Decrease commute
costs, improve use of travel time
A vanpool traveling from Sarasota/Bradenton to the USF Area,
including the VA Hospital and Telecom Parkway is seeking riders. Work hours are from 7:00am - 4:30 pm. Call 813-282-8200 for more information.
New
North Alliance Seeks Comments on Commute
Experiences
UNTI
is interested in hearing about your commute!
Simply send an email to sobush@cutr.usf.edu
or fill out the commute
comments form at www.newnorthalliance.org
to tell us about your daily commute and any ways you have found to
make the trip more bearable.
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