National Capital Region

1
Gasoline Prices and Commuting Alternatives

• National Capital Region
• Transportation Planning Board
• September 21, 2005

2
Gasoline Prices and Commuting Alternatives

• After housing, transportation related
  expenditures are the second largest for the
  average household, exceeding food, education,
  recreation, and medical care.
• Energy crisis of 1970s spurred nationwide efforts
  to provide commuting alternatives.
• Commuter Connections was formed in 1974 to
  provide awareness and support of alternative
  commute modes.

3
Gasoline Prices and Commuting Alternatives

• Compared to the same time last year (Aug 2004 vs.
  Aug 2005), gas prices have increased 34.
• Compared to the same time last year (Aug 2004 vs.
  Aug 2005), Commuter Connections Web visits have
  increased 33.
• There were no differences in marketing levels
  from year to year during the month of August.

4
Gasoline Prices and Commuting Alternatives

• Through timely messaging WMATA, Commuter
  Connections and other transit agencies within the
  region are responding to consumer concerns about
  high gas prices.
• Print
• PSAs
• Bus exterior signage
• In addition to transit and ridesharing
  alternatives, higher gasoline prices have
  stimulated increased interest in telework.
• While commuters can change travel modes at their
  discretion, employer approval is needed for
  telework.

5
Telework Potential in Region
Source Commuter Connections 2004 State of the
Commute Survey
Total Commuters 2.4 Million
6
Commuter ConnectionsTelework Program

• Provides information (kits, videos, brochures) on
  telework benefits and programs.
• Supports Regional Telecommuting Committee.
• Assists employers to set up or expand telework
  programs.
• FY 2006 Budget 162K

7
Telework Exchange

• An independent legal entity made up of private
  sector organizations.
• Facilitates communication among Federal
  teleworkers, government, and the private sector.

8
Telework Exchange Structure

• As a virtual community, the Telework Exchange
  uses www.teleworkexchange.com as the primary
  venue for meeting organizational objectives.
• The Web community features
• Telework value calculators
• Qualified collaboration and discussion platforms
• Resource centers

9
Outreach

• The Teleworker A newsletter reporting
  exclusively on Federal telework.
• Full page advertisements in the Express commuter
  newspaper focusing on
• Traffic tie-ups
• Commuter rat race
• Overcrowding on transit