June/July 2020
Still working from home? Continue to log your telework "trips" for our Summer Telework Challenge and you could win a $75 gift card every month from Jun-Sept!
Log your telework "trips" in CommuteConnect from June 1st to Sept 1st for a chance to win a $75 gift card every month. Logging your "trips" is easy. Simply go to your dashboard scroll to the 'Log your Trips' section, choose the applicable days on the calendar, add the departure time you normally would leave and the time you normally return, make sure the mode selected is "telework"and that your normal commute is saved. Then submit those trips.

Continue with a green commute-walk, bike, run, take public transit, carpool, or telecommute at least 2 days a week and you'll eligible for our commuter support programs:

Green to Work -quarterly $250 raffle drawings for using a green commute
Guaranteed Ride Home -Up to 4 FREE UBER emergency rides home in case of illness (for yourself or someone you care for), unscheduled overtime, or other emergency where you need to get home right away



Make sure to choose your employer/residence/building as your network.
Don't forget, non-TMA members can also sign up to look for carpool partners and log trips for bi-annual raffle prize drawings, the next drawing is in July.
 
Download the Commute Tracker app to automate trip logging for iOS or android devices
Lunchtime Webinar Series
The North Shore TMA is excited to announce in partnership with other Northeast Transit Planning managed TMA’s, (Junction TMO and the Merrimack Valley TMA), that we are launching a FREE lunchtime webinar series focused on health and wellness from June 24 th through September 2nd from 12pm-12:45pm.

Please join us on Zoom for either a quick lunchtime workout, meditation, or bike safety session. We understand that Zoom fatigue may be starting to set in so our series is meant to be quick, instructive, and leave you feeling refreshed, energized and ready to tackle your work again or inspire you to go for a bike ride.

Schedule and more information about each webinar is here . All webinars are free and open to our member employees, residents, or tenants and members of their household. After registration, participants will receive the log-on/call in instructions to access the webinar.
MassInc Survey
Please complete and spread the word!
Please take a few minutes to fill out this online confidential surv ey about commuting and working from home as the state reopens from the Covid-19. Your responses will be analyzed alongside those from workers across the Commonwealth, to help us, other businesses, and policymakers understand what reopening means for traffic and public transit. The survey will close on Monday, June 22 . Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard. Thank you! As an added bonus, everyone who fills out the survey and provides their email address will be entered in a raffle for a $100 Amazon Gift card!


NSTMA Board of Director's Call for Nominations
All Members can nominate someone from their organization or themselves for one of 3 open positions on the NSTMA Board of Directors. As a member of the Board of Directors, elected individuals serve a two year term (from August 2020-July 2022) and work with the TMA staff to identify long-term goals, support the implementation of innovative strategies for lasting change, seek to increase and diversify our membership, and work to develop creative strategies that encourage commuters to our businesses, residential developments, and within our communities to chose an alternative to driving alone. If this sounds interesting to you, please fill out the attached nomination form by noon, June 19 th . The election will take place from June 22nd and July 3rd. The results will be posted on the TMA’s website and via email.
MBTA Announcements
5 Day Commuter Rail Flex Pass Pilot Program Begins July 1st

As part of a pilot program beginning July 1st, commuters on the Commuter rail can now purchase 5 day flex passes good for 30 days. This means you pay only for when you use the commuter rail. This change reflects the new reality that many employees will continue to telework, at least a few days a week for the foreseeable future. Tickets can only be purchased on the mTicket App. More info here.
Lynn will get subway fares to Boston!

Starting as a 2 month pilot program this summer, fares from Lynn to Boston will now be $2.40 each way, down from the $7 normal commuter rail fare. The fare reduction is meant to help ease crowding from nearby buses and the Blue line. This change should entice more Lynn residents to take the commuter rail. It could help make the case for subway style service if regional rail becomes a reality.
Fares for bus and subway will be the same regardless of payment used

As part of the first phase of the MBTA’s Fare Transformation program which is looking to make paying for transit easier and more convenient, the MBTA recently announced all fare payments will be the same, regardless of whether a customer is using a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or cash. That means local bus fare is $1.70 (a $0.30 reduction for those that previously used a CharlieTicket/cash), $4.25 for inner express bus (a $1 reduction for those who used CharlieTicket/cash), $5.25 for outer express bus (a $1.75 reduction for those who used CharlieTicket/cash), and $2.40 for rapid transit (a $0.50 reduction for those who used CharlieTicket/cash). 
Local Bike/Ped News
Salem-Peabody Multi-Use Path Feasibility Study
A Working Group was recently formed to discuss the Salem-Peabody Multi-use Path Feasibility Study. The proposed path would run along Harmony Grove Road which is parallel to Boston St. Several scenarios were presented by the Consultant team. Stakeholders and residents can weigh in on the options and provide feedback to Tom Devine at the City of Salem.
Bike to the Sea Path in Lynn to be completed in the Spring of 2021 in the meantime, here's some other great rides...


And other routes on the page:
Bike to the Malden River
Bike to the Marsh
Bike to Lynn Woods

Consider supporting Bike to the Sea as an individual/family member or corporate sponso r!!
City of Beverly Receives Bronze Level Recognition for a Bike Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
This is a big achievement as many communities that apply receive no designation at all. Beverly is the first City in the North Shore to receive this designation and shows a great level of coordination and dedication among residents, advocates, and City Officials to improve bike infrastructure and provide bike education to adults and kids. The report card provides a feedback tool to see what areas need to be improved to obtain a higher rating. For reference, The City of Portland, OR and Boulder, CO received a Platinum rating respectively. Locally, Boston received a Silver rating. See Beverly's Report Card here.
North Shore Tour de Cure-Virtual Edition

Like many popular events, the North Shore Tour de Cure has shifted to a virtual event this year and will be held on August 16, 2020. The good news is you can still walk, bike, or run for a cause and have family, friends, and colleagues support your efforts while raising funds for the American Diabetes Association and there are no registration fees this year! Unfortunately COVID-19 has been especially dangerous for people with Diabetes as they are more likely to suffer serious infections and possible diabetes complications. So please consider taking part in this event and supporting the American Diabetes Association. More info here.
Congrats to our Quarterly Green to Work Raffle Winner-Rachel Nielsen!
Rachel Nielson (pictured left with her son) from CST tracked her walking commute trips from Jan-March and won the quarterly raffle drawing for $250! You could be next!

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