Cleveland Real Estate News

The Buzz on 21st Century Cleveland

Cleveland Real Estate News random header image

How Do We Promote Better Commuting Strategies?

July 2nd, 2008 · No Comments

I don’t suppose people who ride the bus or take light rail or car pool will get any relief, how about a 3% tax break for those who don’t drive? Anyway, here is the PD blog post outlining Rep. LaTourette’s Commuter Relief and Fuel Efficiency Act bill/proposal

What about using that same money to increase methods of public transportation available to commuters?

Here is an article from BNET reprinting a story by Carolyn Hirschman on commuter relief plans in effect in different places. When I say ‘places,’ sometimes that is government but sometimes it’s private industry’s creativity in offering solutions. Like van pools. Excerpt:

“….Maryland, for instance, gives employers a 50 percent tax credit, limited to $50 per employee per month, for the costs of plans that meet Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules. The Maryland tax break also applies to guaranteed-ride-home programs, which ensure that employees using the vans have a ride home in emergencies or if they work late, and parking cash out, in which employers offer employees cash to give up their employer-subsidized parking spots….”

It’s mentioned in the above article (and well explained) how the IRS tax relief kicks in for companies that offer viable help/alternatives for transportation. This part seems like a great idea to me.

And here is a CBS news story on another Legislator’s efforts to get tax relief for bike commuters.

What say you?  Peace Out – 3C

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: Ideas · Ohio Rail and Transit · economic development · transit oriented development

0 responses so far ↓

  • There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv Enabled