Commuter Benefits / Alternative Work Schedules
The County of Santa Barbara would like to encourage employees to reduce their drive alone commuting by offering several different incentives under the Commuter Benefits / AWS Program. This could involve commuting by transit bus or vanpool, working at an alternative site part or full-time or changing your work hours so you can avoid the rush hour traffic. This program is directed at those employees who commute into Santa Barbara from North County or from counties to the south of Santa Barbara. Any employee, though, could participate in one or more of these alternatives.
Here's some of the benefits available to you as a regular County employee:
COMMUTER BENEFITS: Commuter benefits include additional vacation days for use of alternate commute methods, pre-tax savings on the cost of commuting and free parking for ridesharing.
-
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Benefit: The TDM program encourages the use of alternative methods of commuting to work rather than driving alone to and from work. Earn up to 2 days of additional vacation each year if you use alternative
transportation at least 80% of the days worked in a pay period. To apply for TDM vacation benefits you'll need to complete a
TDM enrollment form and file with your department.
-
$10 Cash Incentive / Pre-tax Commuter Benefit: Why pay taxes on your commute expenses? Save yourself 20-30+% on your vanpool or transit expenses by arranging to have up to $115 in pre-tax savings on your commuting costs per month including a $10 County contribution. Sign up at
ADP FlexDirect by the 5th of the month to enroll for the next month's transit pass.
If you do not receive your pass for any month, you can file a
Lost Pass Form by the 10th of the month to get a refund.
-
Free Parking for Ridesharing: If you commute to work by vanpool or carpool with other County employees, the “pool” vehicle is eligible to receive a free parking pass good for the County Administration Building lot or the Garden Street lot. The driver must be a regular employee with at least 1 year of service with the County and must have the other passengers in the vehicle when they park. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply to
General Services for a commuter permit.
ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULES : Alternative work schedules refer to voluntary work agreements between you and your department to work either a flexible schedule or a compressed work week.
-
AWS Policy - check to see what kind of work arrangements are included.
-
-
-
Telecommuting: Telecommuting involves working at home or at an alternative work site for some or all of your work schedule.
By gaining access to the County’s Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can have access to your office computer while working remotely. Telecommuting is a cooperative arrangement between you and your department and is subject to supervisor approval.
-
