Van Pools Blog
Possible Changes to Your Commute-to-Work Benefits
October 13th, 2011 0 CommentsBy Jon Martz
VPSI’s Vice President, Government Relations
Jon Martz
You and many of your fellow vanpoolers have been fortunate to take advantage of the $230/month transit-vanpool benefit provided by Congress in the “Bush-Middle Class Tax Cuts.” In December of 2010, Congress extended this commute-to-work benefit for one additional year (continuing to match the monthly amount allowed for parking expenses).
Unless Congress acts within the next two months, the transit-vanpool portion of the commuter benefit will be reduced nearly in half to $120/month, effective January 1 2012.
The VPSI, Inc. staff is working closely with a coalition of public agencies, transit operators, private businesses, benefit providers and concerned citizens to support maintaining these commuter benefits. We encourage you to visit www.CommuterBenefitsWorkforUs.com to learn more about the efforts being made to maintain your commuter benefits at their present levels.
Please feel free to pass this message along to your fellow vanpoolers. I am sure they will be interested in the status of the legislation and other issues affecting their commute-to-work benefits.
A Case Study: Minnesota’s Successful Attempt to Tackle Traffic
July 30th, 2010 0 Comments
Interstate 35W (I-35W) is a highway that used to be known for its ill-famed gridlocked traffic. In 2007, the highway became infamous for something even more devastating—the deadly collapse of the I-35 Bridge. From tragedy, however, came hope, as the misfortune expedited Minnesota’s state Legislature to fund a transportation package initiating $6.6 billion over the next decade to support roads, bridges and other transportation collaborations. Read More
Where is Our Stimulus Money Going?
July 7th, 2009 0 CommentsBack in February, the federal government passed a law that provided billions of dollars for transportation projects to help stimulate the economy. Now with the first 120 days underway, Smart Growth America, a nationwide coalition, published a report exposing how the country is spending its stimulus money.
So, where is all the money going? Well, a good chunk of the money is going towards highway repairs (62.9%) and building new roads (31%), while only a small portion appears to be going towards areas like public transit (6%) and non-motorized projects (2.8%).
To read more about the report, or see how your state is spending its money, check out the Smart Growth America blog, or this article posted by Reuters.
Tune in to hear Jesse Kafka on Key 103
June 18th, 2009 0 CommentsOn Thursday, June 25 from 5-8 a.m. on Key 103 FM in Frederick, Maryland, VPSI’s Jesse Kafka will participate in the Hometown Morning Show with Dave and Rona. Also partnering in the “Dump the Pump”-themed live event broadcasting from the Monocacy Rail Station will be representatives from TransIT of Frederick County, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Maryland Transit Administration. If you’re a local commuter, please stop by for some complimentary coffee and bagels! To listen live online, please visit www.key103radio.com.
And the safest mode of public transportation is…
June 12th, 2009 0 CommentsMonday, we put up a poll asking our readers what they thought the safest mode of transportation is and today we have the results! More than 50% of you chose correctly with……drum roll, please….vanpooling being the safest method of public transportation according to the 2006 Transit Safety and Security Statistics and Analysis Annual Report.
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