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UAB
EMPLOYEE
CommuteSmart
Program
UAB Employee CommuteSmart FAQS
What is the UAB Employee Rideshare Program? The UAB Employee CommuteSmart Program is a service provided by UAB Parking and Transportation Services. Three or more employees register with the CommuteSmart Program, and agree to participate and promote carpooling and other alternative modes of travel. Employees who participate in the CommuteSmart Program will receive an incentive to encourage carpooling as an alternative to driving alone.
Who can participate? Both full-time and part-time UAB employees may sign up to participate in the Employee CommuteSmart Program. Employees must register with UAB Parking and Transportation Services, identify their carpool partner(s), and record and report the number of days they carpool on a monthly basis. Participants must carpool at least three days a week to be eligible to receive incentives. Employees register with the program one time.
Why participate in the Employee CommuteSmart Program? Because parking on UAB’s campus is limited. UAB is a hub of activity for not only employees and students, but for the entire Birmingham region. Located just south of the region’s center of finance and government, UAB is at the heart of a concentration of world renowned hospitals and medical research facilities. The university itself is one of the fastest growing in the nation. Participants in the Employee CommuteSmart Program are guaranteed a parking space on campus and are eligible to receive a reserved parking space. While your job may stress you out, getting to work on time can be a breeze.
What are the incentives? A $20 pre-paid gasoline card will be provided to registered carpools for the first two months of active participation. The gas card can be used to purchase fuel for your carpool. Employee carpools will receive their gas card at the end of their first month of participation provided that the carpool turns in a tracking form.
How do I register for the program? 1.) Read the CommuteSmart Program Guidelines, 2.) Read and sign the attached waiver, and 3.) Complete a CommuteSmart Program application. Complete the entire application form and indicate the individual(s) who will join your carpool or request a CommuteSmart Program match. One member of the carpool group will be registered as the primary member and will receive the financial benefit. Other members of the carpool will be registered as secondary members. You can also visit the UAB Parking and Transportation Services web page at www.parking.uab.edu to link with online ridematching services provided by CommuteSmart, the Birmingham region’s rideshare program.
How do I receive the incentive? Once you have registered you will receive a tracking form to record your carpool activity. If a form is needed, please visit the UAB Parking and Transportation web page or call the UAB Parking and Transportation Services office to obtain a copy. Submit the completed tracking form to the Parking and Transportation Services office by the last day of each month. CommuteSmart Rideshare, on behalf of Parking and Transportation Services, will issue your carpool its gas card to the designated person in the carpool group after the first month’s tracking form is received. Gas cards are not traceable or replaceable. If damaged, lost, or stolen, they cannot be replaced.
If you participate in a carpool with less than three employees, contact CommuteSmart at 1-800-826-RIDE for details on other programs.
EMPLOYEE CommuteSmart Program Guidelines
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Employee Carpool Program
The purpose of this program is to promote carpooling as an attractive alternative to individual commuting. Carpools reduce traffic congestion, which contributes to higher ground-level ozone ratings. Better ratings mean more industry and business for our city, as well as federal funds to complete road construction projects.
Eligibility
In order to participate in a carpool, you must meet the following criteria:
• ‑A carpool must consist of at least three UAB employees
• ‑Participants must share a ride on a regular basis (at least three days a week)
• ‑Participants must be eligible for payroll deduction
Description of Services
Reserved Parking Space
Parking & Transportation Services will accommodate employees with a reserved carpool space in close proximity to where the primary driver works, or a nearby bus stop. The reserved spaces will be designated with a sign and controlled for carpool permits during enforcement hours.
Emergency Passes
Each secondary participant in a carpool will be given up to twelve scratch-off passes per year to be used on days he/she is not riding in the carpool. Passes will be issued on a prorated basis depending on when the carpool originated (one pass per month). The scratch-off pass must be displayed on the rearview mirror. The passes are valid for the following areas:
• ‑Core: University Boulevard Deck (Deck 3)
• ‑Non-core: Non-gated lot closest to carpool assignment
Computer Matching Services
Computer matching services are provided to employees through the CommuteSmart Program. We will provide campus phone numbers of individuals that live in proximity to the employee interested in participating in the program.
Emergency Ride Home
CommuteSmart will provide an emergency ride home for participants who pre-register for the service at the time of sign-up.
General Information
• ‑Each participant must complete a parking application. These can be mailed or faxed.
• ‑Each carpool will be issued one hangtag for the group. It is the responsibility of the group to ensure that the permit is properly displayed from the rearview mirror.
• ‑The monthly parking rate will be divided equally among the carpool participants and automatically payroll-deducted.
• ‑Misuse of a carpool permit will result in cancellation of parking privileges.
• ‑If the carpool is dissolved, the carpool permit and any unused scratch-off passes must be returned to Parking & Transportation Services. Participants can then purchase their own permits.
• ‑After the second month of participation, you will become a CommuteSmart Club member and receive incentives as they become available