The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Officials urge to go car-free for a month
Officials tout benefit of mass transit, walking and biking
NEW HAVEN >> For several commuters who passed through Union Station in New Haven, Friday held a special treat: a Dunkin’ Donuts coupon and information about how they can better use trains to commute to the Elm City.
But in a region where rushhour traffic jams are a frustrating certainty, the latter handout was the far more important one as officials urge people to do something unusual: think outside the car.
Throughout September, the city is hosting its CarFree Challenge, a contest that challenges businesses and individuals to travel more sustainably.
Two big tasks in that effort: Showing people how they can go car-free and then showing them why they would want to.
Friday’s effort took aim at the first issue. Working with two staffers from CTRides, Yale student Brandon Marks talked to people about the options they have on the rails in Greater New Haven.
He said many students don’t know about all the places to which they can take a bus, bike or simply walk — but he’s among the people working to change that.
“I think it is really important to spread this information to encourage people to be not just Yale students but also New Haven residents,” said Marks, a Dwight Hall Urban Fellow who has been working with the city’s Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking and the goNewHavengo initiative.
Friday’s event was the third of its kind this month. Each week, goNewHavengo has been holding a different event to highlight a certain kind of sustainable transportation. In addition to trains, the group has talked about buses, carpools and bikes.
At the next event, slated to run from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30, they’ll talk about the benefits of walking. The event will be held at three locations: the Broadway Triangle, and the intersections of York and Cedar streets and Whitney Avenue and Audubon Street.
That should serve as a good preview for WalkTober, a series of organized walks throughout New Haven during the month of October.
The city has also introduced some new features that make it easier to get around without a car, including digital screens at bus stops showing when the next ones are coming and signs that show how you can walk between major destinations in the city.
But even if people know how to travel and commute sustainably, at least one question remains: Why bother?
The CarFree Challenge gives a short-term answer: To win. People who participate could win prizes from places such as the Yale Repertory Theatre, Atticus Bookstore & Café and Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, among others.
The prizes might have contributed to the Challenge’s enormous growth last year. In 2015, the contest drew participation from some 483 people and 35 organizations, up from 47 people and 11 organizations the year before.
Other stats were also up in 2015, including CO2 emission reductions (74.12 tons), calories burned (587,785) and transportation costs saved ($87,399).
But there’s also a long-term plus side to leaving the car at home: It could help you and your boss with your taxes.
Congress voted late last year to renew and increase the pre-tax benefits for employerprovided parking and employer-provided mass transit benefits, which include reimbursements for train and bus tickets. U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, who lives in New Haven, was back in the city this week touting those benefits.
“It’s a targeted public policy,” said DeLauro, D-3. “It gives families flexibility and commuting options. It reduces congestion and helps to protect the environment.”
Federal law allows employers to set aside up to $255 per month to cover an employee’s costs for vanpool or transit services and another $255 per month to cover the employee’s costs of employer-provided parking.
Employees who commute save by having the money taken out of their paychecks before taxes. But because it’s a benefit, the employer still gets to deduct it as part of payrollrelated taxes.
DeLauro said one of the biggest problems families face is the challenge of not making enough money to keep up with the rising cost of living — a squeeze felt acutely in Connecticut, which has some of the highest costs in America.
The tax benefits, she said, could be a big break for families trying to make ends meet.
“This helps American families get to work without straining their resources,” said DeLauro. “This allows them to get to work, get a break and be able to participate in environmental sustainability.”
Employers have to set up the program for their employees; but DeLauro and others said employees should ask about it.
There are some setup costs and the benefits are generally administered by a thirdparty vendor. But Douglas Hausladen, the city’s director of transportation, traffic and parking, said his department wants to help.
“We can help you set up that pre-tax benefit for your employees,” he said. “We’re a free resource; we’re led by a group of volunteers, a coalition trying to make sustainable transportation a cheaper, more sustainable option for folks to get around.”
Interested employers can get more information on goNewHavengo’s website or by calling CTRides at 1-877287-4337.
Amie Fanning, publications services coordinator at Gateway Community College, gets the benefits to take the train into work each day. She said she and her colleagues are working to spread the word about the train to other faculty and staff — both for tax benefits and the convenience.
“There’s nothing better than being on the train, coming down and seeing (Interstate) 91 bumper-to-bumperto-bumper and just rolling on by,” she said. “It’s the best way to travel and I highly recommend it.”
Griff Neighbors, who watched DeLauro’s remarks at Union Station this week, said he drives 30,000 miles per year for work but takes the train when he can. He said he relies on his car but said the tax benefits could really help people who go into New Haven every day.