Cool Springs Multimodal Transportation Study JUN_2015_Final Cool_Springs_Report | Page 33

Flexible Scheduling Options and Telecommuting Commuter Tax Benefits
According to the Nashville Area Metropolitan
Planning Organization (MPO), by 2040, the Retail
sector employment is forecasted to increase by 44%
(just under 6,000 jobs). Meanwhile, the office sector
is forecasted to grow by 71% (roughly 24,000 jobs).
Office work may be conducive to the implementation
of telecommuting or scheduling practices that create
significant commute reduction. The TMA Group has
the opportunity to position itself as a local resource
for best practices pulling from both local success
stories to national TDM resources. Ensuring that employers are familiar with
Section 132(f) of the IRS tax code for qualifying
commuter benefits would leverage The TMA
Group’s investments in vanpooling and transit
(both qualifying expenses under the tax code) while
building Program ownership amongst employers.
Large employers may already be set up to add
these benefits internally or through a third-party
administrator. For instance, Nissan, one of the large
employers in Cool Springs, utilizes HealthHub as
their benefits provider. HealthHub is already set
up to offer commuter tax benefits for their clients.
Smaller and/or local companies may require closer
attention by the TDM provider.
Technology and Trends
For-hire transportation network companies such as Uber
and Lyft use newer smartphone app-based technology to
connect customers with their services. While these services
are generally outside of traditional TDM offerings, they
should be considered when writing or re-writing Emergency
Ride Home Program guidelines, terms and conditions. TDM
programs may also wish to monitor the dialogue at the local
and state level to ensure any regulations or ordinances for
these types of services are created in a way that does not
impact the traditional ridesharing that TDM programs offer.
Photo credit Wallstreet OTC
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