March 2024 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
COMMUTEwell Updates
Enhanced Commuter Benefits are Coming Soon!
Get Ready for the New Monday/Friday Parking Permit Pilot Program
Local Transportation News
A New Benefit for LIFE Participant
Metro's Updated Rail Service
Transit Resources
What We’re Reading
COMMUTEwell Updates
Enhanced Commuter Benefits are Here!
COMMUTEwell is thrilled to announce that the new Special MOU on Commute Options and Parking was ratified by the City Council as is now in effect. This agreement enhances benefits for commuters like you by expanding eligibility, increasing benefits for sustainable transportation programs, and establishing pathways for future improvements. Some of these changes include:
$100 Transit Incentive: Employees can now receive a reimbursement of $100 (permanently increased from $50) per month for utilizing public transportation to commute to work. You can take advantage of this benefit through either the Transit Spending Account (TSA) Match or the Transit Subsidy Reimbursement.
Bike/Walk Incentive Expansion: Employees who bike or walk to work for the majority of their commute journey length may now receive an incentive of $5 per day (maximum of $100 per month). This benefit is now available to employees at all City worksites, not just those regulated by the Air Quality Management District (AQMD). Walking and biking are a great way to not only save money at the pump and reduce car usage, but those who walk/bike also receive health benefits and get to experience a more enjoyable commute. Click here for application forms and more helpful biking/walking resources.
Incentives for Part-Time Intermittent Employees: Part-time employees can now take advantage of the Transit Reimbursement Program and bike/walk incentive!
Transit Subsidy Reimbursement for Parking Permit Holders: Parking Permit Holders now have the option to receive the Transit Subsidy Reimbursement in addition to their parking pass. Want to give transit a try? Check out our Transit Resources here!
Parking Fee Change in 2025: There will be a small increase in parking permit fees, proportional to the existing site-specific fees. This fee increase will not take effect until March 19, 2025, and the new rates are outlined in the newly adopted MOU. For example, the downtown individual parking fee (the most expensive parking permit) will increase from $46 per month to $55 per month. The other permit types will have a proportional increase. These new fees remain substantially less than the cost of parking in the open market. To see a comparison of the current and future parking fees, please see the new MOU.
Sunset of Special Electric Vehicle (EV) Incentives: Due to the substantial increase in the prevalence of EVs and the high demand for parking permits, the special incentives for EV owners, such as prioritized waitlist access and waived parking fees, will be phased out. Existing EV permits will be transitioned to regular parking permits and have parking fees applied according to the rates outlined in the MOU. All requests for new permits will follow the prioritization described in the MOU. Questions about this change can be sent to LACOMMUTEwell@lacity.org.
Authority to Initiate Trial Commute Programs: The updated MOU will allow for the introduction of commuter pilot programs that offer commuters greater flexibility to better accommodate flexible or hybrid work schedules and remove barriers to public transit use. One of these new programs includes the Monday/Friday parking permit pilot - detailed in the article below.
Get Ready for the New Monday/Friday Parking Permit Pilot Program
Employees who park at the City Hall East parking structure will soon have access to a new Monday/Friday parking permit pilot program! The program is designed to meet the needs of employees with flexible schedules and address the uneven distribution of parking demand throughout the week. With this program, employees with flexible schedules can adjust their working days to include on-site workdays on Mondays and Fridays. Plus, under the newly adopted MOU, parking permit holders may also access the Transit Subsidy Reimbursement program, providing even more commuting flexibility throughout their workweek.
During the trial period, the permit will be available at a special rate of just $20 per month (plus the City's 10% parking tax), offering significant savings compared to existing permit options. Permit holders will have exclusive access to the City Hall East garage on Monday and Friday. The pilot program will run for a minimum of six months from the start date (start date to be determined).
There will only be a limited number of Monday/Friday permits and they will be issued based on seniority. If you’re interested in applying for the pilot program, click the link below.
COMMUTEwell Updates
Starting March 24, LIFE participants can use their free rides to get around on Metro Micro, Metro’s on-demand shared-ride service. This includes the 90 days of free rides when you sign up, and 20 free rides every month.
Metro Micro’s on-demand shared ride service allows riders to schedule short trips within their eight service zones. Riders can also:
Transfer for free to Metro bus and rail from Metro Micro
Transfer for free to Metro Micro from Metro bus and rail when you use a LIFE ride, or for 75¢ when you pay the regular fare
After your 20 free rides, the regular fare for a one-way trip on Metro Micro is $2.50.
Download the Metro Micro app at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store today. New customers enjoy the first two rides for free per account with code: “2rides”!
Metro's Updated Rail Service
The new Regional Connector makes riding Metro across LA County easier! Riders can travel between Azusa and Long Beach, and between East LA and Santa Monica, without transferring lines. The A, E and L Lines are now combined into two rail lines, the new A and E Lines, bringing them together with the B and D Lines at the 7th St/Metro Center Station.
Metro recently made changes to bus and rail service to provide more reliable trips. The A, C, E and K Lines run more frequently and 37 weekday, 29 Saturday, and 24 Sunday bus schedules were adjusted to improve reliability, and route and stop changes to various bus lines to improve service for riders. You can find details on all service changes here.
Transit Resources
COMMUTEwell Program staff are available to assist employees by phone at 213-978-1634 or via email at LACOMMUTEwell@lacity.org.
Who We Are
COMMUTEwell provides services, information, and resources regarding commuting options. We encourage employees to participate in the City’s efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Los Angeles.
Explore the variety of transit, biking, carpool/vanpool, and parking resources available to you. Click on the link below to learn more about COMMUTEwell’s programs and subsidies!