September 2024 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
COMMUTEwell Updates
Check out Our Carpool/ Vanpool Interest Form!
Help Us Help You! Take the Commuting Preferences Survey
Streamline Your Commute! Discover the Benefits of Carpooling and Vanpooling
Local Transportation News
Last Chance to Sign-up for Metro’s Mobility Wallet Program!
Los Angeles' Bold Vision for a Car-Free 2028 Olympics.
Transit Resources
COMMUTEwell Benefits and Transportation Resources
What We’re Reading
CommuteWELL UPDATES
Help Us Help You! Take the Commuting Preferences Survey
Last chance to participate and win!
Don’t miss your final opportunity to help shape your commuter benefits! Your insights on commuting trends and the factors that influence your transportation choices are crucial for us to enhance the options and incentives we offer.
Why Your Feedback Matters:
By participating in our survey, you’re playing a key role in shaping how we enhance our program and promote sustainable transportation methods—whether it’s taking the bus, hopping on the train, biking, carpooling, or vanpooling. Your input will help us tailor our services to better meet your needs and preferences.
Win an Outdoor Gift Bundle!
As a token of our appreciation, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a fantastic outdoor gift bundle. Each bundle includes a stylish multipurpose backpack and a comfy beach chair—perfect for all your outdoor adventures.
How to Participate:
Filling out the survey is simple and can be done online. Just click the link below to share your thoughts and get a chance to win!
Feel free to contact us at lacommutewell@lacity.org or (213) 978-1634 if you have any questions.
Check out our Carpool/Vanpool Interest Form
Interested in carpooling or vanpooling? Sign up for the Carpool/Vanpool Interest Form to help you save on commuting costs, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy a more convenient and stress-free travel experience.
By filling out this form, you’ll join a community of employees who are eager to share rides, connect with others in your area, and experience the benefits of group commuting. Whether you're looking to find a carpool buddy, join a vanpool, or start your own, this form will guide you on your way!
Want to learn more about carpooling/vanpooling and COMMUTEwell’s subsidies? Join us for our virtual Rideshare Week Webinar on October 10th!
Discover the many benefits of carpooling and vanpooling with your coworkers, including special COMMUTEwell and Metro subsidies, priority parking perks, and much more. Our webinar will walk you through all these advantages and help you connect with fellow employees who share your route, making it easier to start carpooling or vanpooling right away.
Don’t miss out—RSVP for the webinar through the form link.
Complete the form today and take the first step towards a smarter, greener commute!
Streamline Your Commute! Discover the Benefits of Carpooling and Vanpooling
Looking for a smarter way to commute? Carpooling and vanpooling can not only help you save on travel costs, but can also help you connect with your colleagues and ease your daily drive.
Carpools involve at least two City employees sharing a ride, with the flexibility of coordinating fewer schedules. Carpool members can access express lanes and may qualify for priority parking permits at worksites with limited parking.
Vanpools consist of 4 to 12 people sharing a third party-provided vehicle for commuting at least three times a week. The COMMUTEwell Vanpool Program covers fuel costs, and members pay a fee based on commute route and their utilization of the van. Additionally, all vanpools are required to participate in the LA Metro Vanpool Program which provides a subsidy towards the rental costs of up to $600 per month.
For more detailed information on these programs and how to apply, please visit the following links or contact Francois Verin at francois.verin@lacity.org:
- COMMUTEwell Carpool Program Details
- COMMUTEwell Vanpool Program Details
- Metro Vanpool Subsidy Information
- List of Existing Vanpool Routes
Make the switch to carpooling or vanpooling today—your wallet, your colleagues, and the environment will thank you!
Local TRANSPORTATION NEWS
Metro’s New Mobility Wallet Program!
Metro, in collaboration with LADOT, introduced the Mobility Wallet, a prepaid, pre-loaded debit card aimed at enhancing transportation access for low-income residents across Los Angeles County. The card allows one person, or several members of the same household, to pay for public or private transportation.
The Mobility Wallet can be used for:
Public transportation, such as buses, trains, bike shares, and Metro Micro vans.
Regional rail, like Metrolink and Amtrak.
Private buses, such as Greyhound and Flix Bus.
Shared rides on Uber and Lyft.
The card can also be used to pay for trips on the FlyAway, rent scooters, and pay for services or products in bicycle shops.
Phase I (May 2023-April 2024) loaded the card with $150 each month. Phase II, offers up to $1800 for eligible residents to use on a variety of transportation services.
Applicants must meet the income requirements for the LIFE (Low Income Fare is Easy) program, after which eligible participants will be randomly selected.
Los Angeles' Bold Vision for a Car-Free 2028 Olympics
As Los Angeles gears up for the 2028 Olympics, Mayor Karen Bass has set an ambitious goal: a car-free event in a city known for its sprawling freeways and car culture. A key part of this effort is creating car-free zones in traditionally car-dependent parts of the city. Metro is playing a central role, adding bus and bike lanes to connect more areas, while the city secures more than 3,000 buses from surrounding regions to handle the influx of visitors. Spectators won’t be allowed to drive to the venues and will need to take public transit, walk, bike, or use drop-off services instead.
In addition to boosting public transit options, some streets will be entirely closed to cars during the games to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists. Metro is also introducing integrated ticketing, allowing attendees to purchase their transit tickets alongside their venue tickets. These initiatives aim to improve access not only during the games but also create a lasting legacy for sustainable transportation in Los Angeles.
Transit resources
COMMUTEwell Benefits and Transportation Resources
Check our Program Overview Flyer for a summary of all the commuter benefits and programs that COMMUTEwell offers.
View our Transportation Options Flyer for an overview of essential information on local transportation options, including train, bus, biking/walking, ridesharing, E-scooter/bike, and transit apps.
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!