This issue includes:
- The Maryland Commuter Tax Credit
- incenTrip Mobile Application's New Incentives
- New Subsidy to Encourage Vanpooling in Tri-County Area
- The Maryland Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan
- Upcoming Webinar
- Commuter Choice Maryland Partner Program
- Celebrate Earth Day with "Green" Commuting Tips
- April Celebrations
- Rideshare Ice Breakers
- Upcoming Events
- Stay Connected & Informed
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The Maryland Commuter Tax Credit Helps Maryland Employers Save Money
The Maryland Commuter Tax Credit can help employers create commuter benefits for their employees at half the cost (up to $100 per employee per month) for offering qualified commuter benefits for Vanpool, Transit, Cash in Lieu of Parking, and Guaranteed Ride Home. It is our priority to help Maryland businesses get the assistance they need to easily administer commuter benefits for their employees. It has never been easier to see if
your business or 501C3 or 501C4 qualifies for this tax credit.
We have some exciting news! New Maryland legislation calls for the expansion of qualified commuter benefits in the Maryland Commuter Tax Credit program to include telework, carpools, active transportation, and multimodal last mile solutions. Be sure to stay tuned for more exciting details!
To learn more about the Maryland Commuter Tax Credit, click on the button below.
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New Incentives Available through the incenTrip Application
In 2021, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Commuter Choice Maryland program successfully launched the free, mobile application aimed at helping Maryland commuters save time and money, while also earning cash rewards when they take transit, rideshare, or use other alternatives to driving alone during the peak commute times.
Through incenTrip, a trip planning and logging app available for iOS and Android devices, Marylanders can earn points toward rewards – and help reduce traffic congestion and emissions – by increasing their use of public transportation, carpooling, vanpooling, walking, biking, or using alternative work schedules whenever possible.
Since the app launch, there have been over 600 downloads, 92 new users with over 2,300 personal miles travelled. The app has received positive feedback and new, registered users are reaping the benefits of using incenTrip. Commuter Choice Maryland continues to promote incenTrip through its social media channels - Facebook and LinkedIn.
Redeeming your earned points keeps getting easier with new options, including PayPal, a VISA gift card option, and most recently with the NIFT gift reward option. NIFT rewards allow you to use your gift cards at many local businesses. Keep an eye on the incenTrip website as other incentives will be coming soon, including the WMATA SmarTrip card. New users can also now receive 500 points towards $5 in earned incentives just for downloading and registering
a new account in the app!
To learn more about how to use the app; the benefits of incenTrip; and to download the app, visit the incenTrip website by clicking the button below. The app can also be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store.
If you are enjoying the incenTrip app, please leave us a review!
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New Subsidy to Encourage Vanpooling in the Southern Maryland Area
As the Southern Maryland region reopens and businesses welcome employees back into the office, commuters can take advantage of a new incentive to further help reduce the expenses of an already cost-effective form of public transportation. In partnership with Commute with Enterprise, the Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland is helping to increase the use of a shared mobility option: vanpooling.
The Tri-County Council created the pilot program, providing a $300 subsidy per van per month to commuters living or working in the Tri-County area, including St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert Counties. The subsidy can also be combined with other regional subsidy programs if the vanpool group is eligible for both. Each vanpool program is customized to the specific needs of its four or more vanpoolers. The remaining cost is split among
participants, with each vanpool rider paying a set fee per month.
To learn more about this program, and to read the full article, click here.
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Electric Vehicle Initiative: The Maryland Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan
Since 2012, Maryland has seen considerable growth in electric-powered vehicles (EVs) and EV infrastructure in Maryland. As of March 31, 2022, there are 45,294 EVs registered in the state, with more than 1,100 charging stations that contain over 3,000 charging
outlets.
The MDOT, in cooperation with the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), is developing the Maryland Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan (ZEVIP). This plan will set the vision, goals, and strategies for the effective use of federal funding and requirements associated with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.
The MDOT and MEA are working together to increase EV awareness throughout the state with stakeholders and the general public. The MDOT and MEA are hosting webinars throughout this spring, which will include an overview of the federal funding requirements associated with the NEVI Program, our plans for the collaborative development of Maryland’s Plan, and the deployment of EV charging stations along Maryland’s alternative fuel corridors (AFCs). The plan will contain
information and strategies for the following:
- State Agency Coordination
- Public Engagement
- Plan Vision & Goals
- Existing & Future Conditions
- EV Charging Infrastructure Deployment on Maryland’s Alternative Fuel Corridors
- Implementation
- Civil Rights
- Equity and Environmental Justice
- Labor & Workforce
- Cybersecurity
- Program Evaluation
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Upcoming Commuter Choice Maryland Webinar on the Maryland Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan
Commuter Choice Maryland is hosting a webinar featuring the Maryland Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan led, by our special guest Dan Janousek with MDOT on May 25, 2022, at 12 pm EDT.
In this session, Dan will discuss the Plan’s vision, goals, priorities, as well as electric vehicle charging locations. The plan is required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), to access NEVI program formula funding. For more information on how to share your feedback on this plan, click here.
Click on the button below to register for the webinar.
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Commuter Choice Maryland Partner Program
The Commuter Choice Maryland Employer Partner Program seeks to recognize employers and organizations for their leadership in offering transportation benefits and creative program incentives to their employees. These leadership efforts help Maryland to reduce congestion, conserve energy, protect the environment and improve the quality of life of all Marylanders. When you become a partner, you unlock the free benefits, including
complimentary support, custom transportation plan and employee travel behavior survey, feature your employer/organization’s success story, option for a webinar spotlight, and access to employer assistance resources.
To see a full list of partners and to become a partner today, click on the button below.
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Celebrate Earth Day by Taking a Ride on the Green Side
Earth Day Events
April 22 @ 9 am | Patapsco Valley State Park
April 22 @ 10 am | Havre de Grace
April 22 @ 12 pm | sweetFrog Laurel
April 23 @ 10:15 am | Odenton Library
April 23-24 | Quiet Waters Park
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Work Zone Safety Month
To help keep motorists, their passengers, and highway workers safe during a busy construction season, MDOT is asking all Marylanders to focus and drive safely through work zone areas. Governor Larry Hogan has joined these efforts, and has proclaimed April as Work Zone Safety Month in Maryland.
Flood Awareness Month
April 2022 marks Maryland’s second annual Flood Awareness Month. The goal of this campaign is to provide Marylanders with awareness on the dangers of flooding, and to better prepare them for anytime a flood strikes. The Maryland Resiliency Partnership, which MDOT is a member, is creating programming to better prepare Marylanders. The theme for this year is Know, Plan, Act.
National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is also Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office and AAA Mid-Atlantic are working with state and local law enforcement to encourage motorists to Be the FOCUSED Driver. The MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer provided input on how to make the roadways safer in this broadcast.
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Rideshare Ice Breakers to Make Your Commute Less Awkward
You’ve joined a new rideshare (carpool or vanpool) with some people you know and maybe even some new people. Don’t fret! We have a few tips on how to break the ice and help your commute feel less awkward.
- Talk about music - find out what everyone’s favorite tunes are and create a playlist to enjoy during the commute. This is a great way to discover new music while keeping everyone entertained.
- Ask conversation starter questions - start with open-ended questions about what people like to do during their spare time, hobbies, and favorite restaurants, etc. This could lead to some fun games like “Never Have I Ever.”
- Talk about your jobs - if you have similar positions, use this time to get input on projects. If you have different career fields, this is a great time to learn something new.
No matter what, don’t forget to relax, be authentic, and be courteous and you will surely have a great rideshare experience. To learn more about the benefits of ridesharing, click on the button below.
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MDOT MPA Federal Industry & Trade Day
May 12 | Tradepoint Atlantic
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Stay Connected & Informed
Commuter Choice Maryland representatives are always looking for opportunities to share information about commuter benefits and tax credits, either in-person or virtually. If you have an event that you would like Commuter Choice Maryland to be a part of,
or are seeking more information on commuter and employer benefits, please contact us at commuterchoice@mdot.maryland.gov.
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For more information on Commuter Choice Maryland, please contact us at 410-865-1100 or email commuterchoice@mdot.maryland.gov. Representatives are available to assist Monday—Friday, 8:00 am—4:30 pm. Visit our website at: www.commuterchoicemaryland.com.
Stay connected through Facebook & LinkedIn
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