Transportation
Green Commuting Program
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing traffic congestion countywide.
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As one of the largest employers in the county, Marin County heavily contributes to vehicle miles traveled (VMT) within the region. In order to reduce congestion and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions the County Board of Supervisors approved the Green Commute Program in 2007. This program promotes commute alternatives by allowing employees who walk, bicycle, carpool, or ride transit for their trip to work to be eligible for a $4 per day stipend.
As the program is targeted to County employees, promotional activities include: announcements via emails or staff meetings, flyers in office areas, paycheck attachments, and collaborative promotional efforts with Golden Gate Transit, 511.org, Marin Transit, and other businesses.
19% of employees (419) are registered in the program. The Green Commute Program resulted in a total CO2 reduction of 305 tons in 2007, which is equivalent to taking 12,000 cars off the road. Although the program began in 2007 as a one year-pilot, its success allowed it to continue into 2008. The percentage of employees driving alone decreased from 82% in 2007 to 63% in 2008.
The total cost of the program in the 2007 pilot year was $358,000 – $125,000 for program staff, $228,850 for stipends, and $10,000 for marketing materials. Funding for Green Commute Program comes from the annual County budget and must be adjusted each year for anticipated participation
In January 2001, the County Board of Supervisors created the Employee Commute Alternative Program (ECAP) in order to relieve traffic congestion, improve air quality, and present incentives for decreasing single-occupant vehicles.
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