UW offers new transportation options

University Transportation Services is offering several new options to encourage more alternative forms of commuting to and around campus.

For the first time, university employees can pay for Madison Metro monthly commuter passes through a pre-tax payroll deduction program. The university will also offer a new discount campus bus pass for faculty and staff. Both options start in August.

In addition, Transportation Services will install new bicycle lockers across campus and is expanding its park and ride program between University Research Park and UW Hospital and Clinics.

“All of these options support our effort to promote alternatives to cars on campus as part of the university’s Transportation Demand Management program,” says Rachel Martin, UW–Madison’s TDM coordinator.

Flyers explaining the new transportation options, and sign-up forms for the Madison Metro monthly commuter pass, will be mailed to employees the first week of August.

“Because of the significant number of changes this fall with pre-tax benefits and additional transit alternatives, we are asking that faculty and staff carefully read all information mailed to them,” says Lori Kay, director of transportation services.

The pre-tax benefit for the Madison Metro commuter pass is possible because of recent changes made to the Internal Revenue Service code, according to UW–Madison Employee Compensation and Benefit Services.

The program is similar to the pre-tax payments that employees can divert into the university’s 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity program. The designated amount is subtracted via payroll deduction from an employee’s gross pay before state and federal income taxes and Social Security taxes are calculated.

Employees will save an estimated $7-$13 a month from the pre-tax benefit when purchasing by payroll deduction the $31 Madison Metro monthly commuter pass, which allows unlimited rides Monday-Friday.

Employees must enroll by Aug. 11 to deduct the cost of their September Madison Metro commuter pass. Enrollment forms are available.

Faculty and staff can enroll throughout the year as long as the enrollment form is returned by the 10th of the month prior to the month they plan to use the pass.

Employees can purchase Madison Metro monthly commuter passes for the academic year (September 1999-May 2000) or the entire parking year (through August 2000).

UW Transportation Services announced this spring that parking permits also are eligible for the pre-tax payroll deduction program. Savings from the pre-tax benefit should cover the 1999-2000 parking fee increases. Annual campus bus passes are not included in the pre-tax benefit program.

Employees who wish to deduct transportation costs through payroll but not participate in the pre-tax program must fill out a waiver form or from their department payroll coordinator.

The new faculty and staff Fare Cutter card costs $13 a year and will allow employees to ride the campus bus for 25 cents. Transportation Services is offering $3 off the Fare Cutter price with a coupon for the first 200 people who buy the card starting Aug. 26. The coupon will be included in the campuswide mailing.

The 11 new bicycle lockers contain two stalls and will supplement the two existing bike lockers at Steenbock Library. They will be installed at Bock Labs, McArdle/Taylor Hall, Memorial Library, the WARF building, Computer Sciences/Union South, Engineering, Social Sciences and UW Hospital. Those interested in renting a locker can call (608) 263-1034.

Transportation Services is expanding the park and ride program between the research park and the hospital due to demand, Martin says. The program will use Madison Metro buses instead of vans, resulting in more trips and increased rider capacity.

Park and ride participants receive two daily parking permits per month and are eligible for the university’s emergency ride home program. They will also be able to ride the bus for free Aug. 23-31 with a UW Hospital or faculty/staff ID card.