oc_admin | Commuter Connections

Smart Benefits for both Employers and Employees

oc_admin — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 19:06:22 +0000

SmartBenefits^® is administered free by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), more commonly known as Metro, and is for the region’s employers who provide a direct fare benefit. SmartBenefits^® is the best way to provide your employees with pre-tax transit fares, vanpool expenses, and parking at Metro stations. It is a win-win; employers save money on payroll taxes and employees do not pay taxes on the cost.

In 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that employers can provide up to $325 in qualified transportation fringe benefits tax-free to employees using transit or qualified vanpools to get to and from work. This is an increase of $10 from the 2024 transit benefit amount.

SmartBenefits^®is Metro’s IRS-compliant commuter benefits program where employers can fund the benefit tax-free, up to the IRS limit. Employers can fund transit fares, or employees can pay the fare themselves through a tax-free payroll deduction. A combination of the two funding methods can be used as well.

Signing up for the SmartBenefits^® service is free for employers to administer, and the tax savings are undeniable. For more information, visit SmartBenefits^® .

Employer Recognition Award Winners – 2024

oc_admin — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:01:47 +0000

The Commuter Connections 2024 Employer Recognition Awards recognized the Washington DC region’s top employers for creating programs that encourage alternative transportation use for their employees. Congratulations to the winners! Read the 2024 press release for more background about the winners. Scroll down for 2024 ceremony photos, video, and program booklet.

Telework Award

Groundswell – McLean, VA

Master of Ceremonies: Christina Henderson, DC Councilmember, and National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board Chair

Presented By: James Walkinshaw – Fairfax County Supervisor, and National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board First Vice Chair

Accepted By: Marissa Quander, Associate Human Resources Business Partner.

Incentives Award

Horizon/McDonald’s – North Bethesda, MD

Master of Ceremonies: Christina Henderson, DC Councilmember, and National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board Chair

Presented By: James Walkinshaw, Fairfax County Supervisor and National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board First Vice Chair

Accepted By: Owner, Kari Swenson.

Marketing Award

Comstock Companies – Reston, VA

Master of Ceremonies: Christina Henderson, DC Councilmember, and National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board Chair

Presented By: James Walkinshaw, Fairfax County Supervisor and National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board First Vice Chair

Accepted By: Paul Schwartz, Senior VP Human Resources

WMATA Better Bus Initiative

oc_admin — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:02:22 +0000

The Better Bus Initiative plans to implement changes in summer of 2025; meanwhile, a final round of outreach is ongoing till July 15, 2024. Besides online surveys, WMATA is planning three Discovery Days, additional virtual public hearings, and an array of pop-ups and onboard surveys of bus riders.

If you’re interested in providing in-person testimony at a hearing, WMATA encourages you to pre-register by emailing speak@wmata.com or calling 202-962-2511 by 12:00 p.m. the day of the hearing.

Key Bridge Rebuild Virtual Community Update

oc_admin — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:52:55 +0000

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is inviting you to attend a Virtual Community Update for the rebuilding of the Key Bridge on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 6-7 p.m.

This update meeting aims to inform the public about the progress and future plans for the Key Bridge reconstruction project. The update will discuss an overview of the work completed so far and how MDTA and partners are working to reconnect resources to the community and to revitalize and reimagine the Key Bridge.

Registration is now open at KeyBridgeRebuild.com for members of the public interested in attending the Virtual Community Update. The public will be able to watch a livestream of the event online or review the presentation and meeting recording at a later date.

Mathematica Policy Research

oc_admin — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:48:41 +0000

Mathematica Policy Research

Washington, DC

Employee-owned Mathematica Policy Research (MPR) is a nationwide organization with five divisions: data analytics, health, human services, international research, and survey. Providing program evaluation and policy research, survey design and data collection, program performance, data management, and research assessment.

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The Cadmus Group

oc_admin — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:48:29 +0000

The Cadmus Group

Bethesda, MD

Founded in 1983, The Cadmus Group is a leading employee-owned environmental and energy consulting firm with offices located across the country.

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Consumer Technology Association

oc_admin — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:48:19 +0000

Consumer Technology Association

Arlington, VA

Originally founded as the Radio Manufacturers Association in 1924 the association is the standards and trade association for the consumer electronics industry in the United States.

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World Resources Institute

oc_admin — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:48:07 +0000

World Resources Institute

Washington, DC

When the founders of the World Resources Institute (WRI) created the organization in 1982, they were responding to an urgent demand.

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National Harbor │Peterson Companies

oc_admin — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:47:58 +0000

National Harbor │Peterson Companies

National Harbor, MD

National Harbor is a development along the Potomac River in Oxon Hill, Prince George’s County, Maryland just south of Washington, D.C. near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. National Harbor is a 350-acre resort destination that includes the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Tanger Outlets, thousands of hotel rooms, hundreds of residential and office units, tree-lined promenades with scores of popular shops and restaurants, a marina, and The Capital Wheel – a 180-foot observation wheel featuring panoramic views of the nation’s capital.

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Inova Fairfax

oc_admin — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:47:48 +0000

Inova Fairfax

Falls Church, VA

Inova Health System is a non-profit network of 5 hospitals located in Northern Virginia. Inova Fairfax Medical campus is the main campus located in Falls Church.

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