Please share this information with co-workers, employees, &/or building tenants.

In this issue:

• Lower Your Taxes!
  
  • RSVP for our Transportation Tax Benefits Seminar - October 30, 2008
    
  • There is no charge for attending this event!
• Get Recognized at the 2008 Commuter Choice Awards!
  
  • Nominations due October 17
  • Awards ceremony - November 20
• Employer Spotlight
  • TCF keeps employees on the go with valuable commuter programs
• FREE Parking!
  
  • Carpool Wednesdays are back at ABC Ramps though out October, 2008
  • Show up with a friend, co-worker or neighbor, and park for free. It's that simple!
• Southwest Transitway Update
  
  • Public comment "scoping" meetings scheduled for October
  • Make your voice heard!

Lower Your Taxes!

Transportation Tax Benefits Seminar

When it comes to getting around the Twin Cities, commuters and employers alike are concerned about their bottom line. A pre-tax transportation or parking plan is a great way to cut costs, but unless you're a tax professional these programs can be a challenge to take on.

To help employers and their employees take advantage of the significant tax savings available, Commuter Connection, in partnership with St. Paul Smart Trips, 494 Commuter Services, Anoka County TMO and CBIZ Payroll, will host two pre-tax transportation benefits seminars.

There is no cost for this event. One seminar counts for two (2) Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

Session One:
401 N Robert St., St. Paul, MN. 55101 , St. Paul (map)
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 30th, 2008
Register Online for the St. Paul event.
(www.commuter-connection.org/register.stpaul)

Session Two:
Thrivent Financial Building,
Minneapolis Auditorium,
625 4th Avenue South,
Minneapolis
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 30th, 2008
Register Online for Minneapolis event.
(www.commuter-connection.org/register.mpls)

Having problems registering?
Please contact Dan MacLaughlin at 612.370.3987 x204

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Commuter Choice Awards

Since 1990, the Commuter Choice Awards have recognized local companies, schools and individuals for their innovative ways in developing, implementing and supporting commuter transportation programs. These programs have helped improve the quality of life in the Twin Cities metro area by reducing pollution and congestion on roadways and giving workers commuter choices to suit their lifestyles.

If you feel your organization or someone in your organization should be recognized for innovative ways in developing, implementing and supporting commuter transportation programs, download and submit one of the nomination forms below! Nominations are due by Friday, October 17.

Individual Achievement Nomination Form (PDF Document*)

Employer Nomination Form (PDF Document*)

* Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Don't have Acrobat? Download a free copy here!

Save The Date!
Awards Ceremony
Thursday, Nov. 20
11:30 AM -1 PM
Science Museum of Minnesota, Discovery Hall
St. Paul

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Employer Spotlight

TCF keeps employees on the go with valuable commuter programs!

Contagious Enthusiasm for Commuter Choice

(Sarah Hernandez, Minneapolis) At TCF Bank in Downtown Minneapolis, Cindy Mellum, Human Resources Training Coordinator, and Kim Davis, Administrative Assistant and administrator of the Metropass program, have unmistakable enthusiasm for providing transportation benefits to their employees. Despite participating in Metropass since 1999, “This is our rookie year of really promoting the Metropass program,” Mellum says with a big smile. “Before, it was just something that was offered. This year, we’re seeing major success in growing the program.”

Cindy Mellum & Kim Davis of TCF Bank

Now, over 800 of TCF’s 1100 downtown employees participate in the Metropass program, riding the bus to and from work instead of driving alone. What’s fueling their effort is a cultural change that is taking place not only as gas prices rise and employees feel the strain on their budget, but also as commuters become conscious of “going green.” The program’s success is the result of collaboration between professionals at TCF and Dan MacLaughlin, Outreach Manager of the Downtown Minneapolis Transportation Management Organization (TMO).

Giving Power to the People

Providing transportation benefits has long been an important part of the corporate culture at TCF. Davis says, “It’s a necessity. Employees can no longer brush it under the carpet and not consider what their options are and what the needs are.” By providing transportation benefits such as Metropass, TCF is, according to Davis, “Giving people their power back.”

She continues, “A lot of people say, ‘I don’t have time to relax.’ Well, now you do.” By riding the bus to and from work, TCF employees are not only saving time and getting a chance to read a book or make a few phone calls, they’re cashing in on significant savings at the gas pump.

The trend is catching on. Says Mellum, “[Our employees] have actually created a group of friends that ride the bus together. It’s not just the office anymore, it’s the bus.” As people become familiar with their routes and how to ride, they have changed the way professionals view riding the bus. “It wasn’t always an accepted thing, that you’ve got to leave because you’ve got to catch your bus,” adds Davis. “Now it’s become commonplace. And when somebody doesn’t [ride the bus], a common response is, ‘Really? How do you manage that?’”

Not only that, TCF employees and thousands of downtown commuters like them are doing their part to be kind to the environment. This year, TCF sponsored its own Commuter Challenge event during the region’s annual Commuter Challenge campaign, with the tagline, “Support the Effort and Your Environment.” Mellum says, “We had our employees fill out their own ‘Commuter Story’ and gave away gift cards and other prizes.” She continues, “We posted the winners and their stories on our web site. It was really exciting to encourage our employees to take part, and it was a big success.” Davis continues, “It’s another way of saying, ‘This is something I can do to make a difference.’ They can see how one person does matter.”

Significant Success for TCF’s Program

With over 70 percent of eligible downtown employees participating, the success of the Metropass program at TCF has come about through a mixture of presenting the program as a part of New Employee Orientation (NEO) procedure and supporting riders with events sponsored by the TMO. “When we do it in NEO, we give them directions on how to get [to Metro Transit’s downtown store], because it’s so convenient. We spend at least fifteen minutes on it as one of the benefits,” says Mellum. It’s a benefit that employees appreciate across the board. “Half of our new employees rode the bus in on that first day, so when we present the program to them, they’re excited.”

Support from the TMO plays a role in the program’s success at TCF, too. The TMO provides personalized outreach services, with everything from one-on-one consultations to free educational events such as Commuter Fairs. “From that side of things, Dan has made the experience [of providing transportation benefits] truly worth it. All I had to do was email him with the time, and he was here.” MacLaughlin has presented “Lunch and Learn” brown bag events at TCF on various topics, such as “Commuting During the RNC,” which have been well-received by many interested employees. Mellum says, “It makes employees feel like you care about them. It makes happier employees, and that is huge.”

Showing employees that TCF supports them is what makes the investment worthwhile for Mellum and Davis. The return they see in happier, more effective employees makes the program a valuable part of the benefits package offered. “I want to underline how much our employees value this benefit,” says Mellum. “It makes a huge difference for them. I know a lot of them, myself included, simply couldn’t afford to work downtown without the bus. This benefit is extremely valuable.” She continues, “Not only that, our employees are really liking it. I even know a lot of top management that ride the bus in. It’s worthwhile for all of us.” After all, comfortable, more cost-effective commuting makes a difference for every downtown employee.

Resources that Work for Your Business

The TMO and its storefront, Commuter Connection, located in the skyway above Sixth Street in the US Bank Plaza building, works hard to support downtown Minneapolis employers and their employees. “Our goal is to make providing transportation benefits for employees a positive experience,” says MacLaughlin. “We have the resources available to make the process easy and effective.” From discounted carpool parking to programs like Metropass, consider the TMO your best resource for information and the tools to get the job done.

For example, TCF uses a virtual bulletin board to communicate with its employees, providing transportation links to help their employees plan their routes and use their Metropasses more effectively. The TMO can provide links for your business’ bulletin board, easily completing the research for your company and tailoring the content to your specific needs. “The fun events and newsletters I get from Dan really spark new ideas and cut down a lot of my time,” says Mellum. She uses these resources to provide continued, cost-effective support to her employees, keeping everyone on the go.

The free, informative Commuter Fairs and brown-bag events sponsored by the TMO can help your employees keep moving when transportation issues like the RNC or the collapse of the 35W bridge arise. The TMO also periodically offers professional development seminars that can educate your administrators on the best way to reap the rewards of providing transportation benefits. “We were so motivated,” says Mellum of a seminar she and Davis attended to kick off the Commuter Challenge in June. “We came back with knowledge about all these other options, like vanpooling and bike racks, which we hope to look at for the future.”

At the end of the day, TCF employees are happy to be riding home with time to relax, knowing they are supported by a company that participates in valuable transportation benefits programs like Metropass. Going forward, says Mellum, TCF will continue to promote “an overall more healthy environment,” and continue to support their employees’ efforts to get to and from downtown without breaking the bank. “We’ve invited Dan to be part of our Benefest, to demonstrate the bike rack on the bus and help our employees plan their routes,” she concludes. By providing cost-effective transportation benefits and education opportunities, TCF can count on the reward of happier employees – and keep business on the go.

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Free Parking!

Carpool Wednesday

ABC Ramps is excited to announce Carpool Wednesday in October!

• FREE parking for daily carpoolers
• Every Wednesday in October 2008
• Ramp A and Ramp B only
• Enter with at least one passenger between 6:30am - 10:00am

With gas prices continually on the rise, now is the time to try carpooling out for free. Just show up with a friend, co-worker or neighbor – it’s that simple! Visit abc-ramps.com for more information.

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Southwest Transitway Update

Southwest Transitway Public Comment Period is Open

The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is launching the Southwest Transitway DEIS, the next major phase of project development for the proposed light rail transit (LRT) line. The proposed 14-mile LRT line will serve more than 28,000 trips per day improving travel times and providing access to jobs in the fastest growing area of the metro. The line is proposed to serve the cities of Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis.

“This is quite a substantial step for the Southwest Transitway project and one that puts it in the queue right behind the Central Corridor LRT project which will connect downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul,” said Gail Dorfman, Hennepin County Commissioner and Chair of the Southwest Policy Advisory Committee. “We’ve had broad-based community and business support in getting to this stage. We’ve worked as a team and that’s essential.”

To launch the DEIS, the HCRRA is hosting public “scoping” meetings giving the public an opportunity to review and comment on alternatives for improving transit service in the southwest metro area. The meetings consist of an open house to learn more about the project and a public hearing - a forum for comment.

Scoping meeting information is as follows:

Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Hennepin County Government Center (300 South 6th St., Minneapolis, 612 348 3169). Open House 2 p.m.; Public Hearing 3 p.m. To stream the meeting live from your computer, click here.

Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the St. Louis Park City Hall (5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, 55416). Open House 5 p.m.; Public Hearing 6 p.m. To stream the meeting live from your computer, click here.

Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Eden Prairie City Hall (8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, 55344). Open House 5 p.m.; Public Hearing 6 p.m. To stream the meeting live from your computer, click here.

Download a copy of the Scoping Booklet here.

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