On April 7, 2022, goDCgo presented their 2022 Ambassador Awards to those ambassadors who go above and beyond to promote sustainable transportation and continue to build interest in the use of alternative travel options.  Julie Bond, BWC Program Manager, spoke at the event about the many benefits of joining Best Workplaces for Commuters.  goDCgo awarded a free BWC membership to National League for Nursing, who meets the Standard of Excellence to join BWC.  Congratulations to all the award winners!

View the recording of the event.

View the list of all the winners!

Q: Can I deduct my commuting expenses from my federal taxes?

A: According to the IRS mileage rules, your drive to work and back home are commuting miles, so they are not tax deductible generally.  You can’t deduct commuting expenses even if you work during the commuting trip. You can’t deduct the cost of using your car in a nonprofit car pool. You don’t need to include payments you receive from the passengers when reporting your income. These payments are considered reimbursements of your expenses.

Not all is lost, however, to reduce your taxes.  You can use pre-tax dollars to pay for your commute (up to $280/month for transit and vanpooling and up to $280/month for qualified parking) and save on taxes as well as gas, parking and tolls. The average person would save about $600 per year by switching from after-tax payment of your parking or transit costs to pre-tax payment.  Bottom line is that tax savings from qualified transportation benefits means keeping more of your money in your pocket.

See Best Workplaces for Commuters’ frequently asked questions about qualified transportation fringe benefits. 

On April 21, 2022, Get There Oregon hosted a webinar with special guest, BWC program manager, Julie Bond.

Julie Bond discussed the BWC program, how it could help them increase employer participation, and about great resources such as the newly released Commuter Benefits Guide.

In January 2022 Get There Oregon launched an online survey conducted by DHM Research to gauge awareness, attitudes, and motivators among HR-related professionals across Oregon to enhance employee commute options programs and services.  The webinar included a summary of the results and how they may be used in employer TO programs.  The information was presented by Michelle Neiss, President, DHM Research and Kelly Bantle, Allegiant Strategies NW and Get There consultant.

Watch the video

Use passcode 8hjkADo6 to watch the video

Don't Miss Out!

Register for your free seat in the BWC Telework Certificate Program before June 30th.  

Join the many BWC members who have received the Telework Certificate!  Each current member receives one free seat in the 5-module, self-paced, online certificate program focused on managing telework in today's work environment.   Register Today!

BWC Tech Tip: How to Print Your BWC Certificate

The Bundle Administrator can print the BWC certificate for their member organization directly from the website with a few easy step.   Just log in to the member profile and select the pdf file to print.  Follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Log in

Step 2: Scroll down to "BWC Certificate"

Step 3: Click on the pdf file link to view, download and print your certificate.

If you have been to the Member Profile page, you have likely seen the term "Bundle."  Here's the lowdown.  A bundle is the term for an organization in the system.  The primary contact at the organization is the "bundle administrator" and additional members at your organization, for example a media specialist or program manager, are "bundle members."  The bundle administrator has access to change the commuter benefits offered on the member profile page, while the member can only view it.

While an uncertain pandemic progressed into another year, UCLA remained steadfast in its commitment to helping employees get where they needed to be to get the job done. And for that, the university has been designated one of 2022's Best Workplaces for Commuters.

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Richard Rind, director of Transportation and Parking Services, said FSU has a variety of programs designed to reduce vehicle traffic on campus. This recognition is proof that those efforts are making progress. 

“We’re working to build a culture of sustainable transportation and alternative transportation to try to move away from single-occupancy vehicles, which is the primary mode of transportation for students, faculty and staff here on campus,” he said.  

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Virginia Tech has been cited as one of the 2022 Best Workplaces for Commuters in delivering top-notch commuter programs and services to students and employees.

Access to Blacksburg Transit, ride-matching services, and the Hokie Bike Hub, a self-service bike repair facility, are among the many benefits offered by the Alternative Transportation Department.

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In a description of the many Fairfax, Virginia area businesses and organizations who earned the 2022 Best Workplaces for Commuters designation, the Tyson's Reporter article states, "Several companies in the Tysons area have earned bragging rights for their efforts to reduce vehicle trips."

Tyson's Reporter states, "Awardees in the immediate area includes the following:

• ActioNet
• Archer Hotel Tysons
• Bart & Associates
• Citizens’ office at Fairview Park
• Cvent
• FH+H
• Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
• IronNet Cybersecurity
• KeyLogic
• KPMG
• QOMPLX
• Ross, Langan & McKendree
• Slalom
• SpinSys
• Strategic Resources, Inc.
• The Boro (Best Site)
• The MITRE Corporation
• Towers Crescent (Best Site)
• Tyson Corner Center’s Access Tysons concierge service (Best Site)
• Wells + Associates"

Read the full article