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November 2013
Mountain Metropolitan Transit
clean...safe...economical
Specialized Transportation Providers - Did You Know? 

  

Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT)not only provides fixed-route bus service for the Pikes Peak region, we also provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit service within a � mile boundary of the fixed-route bus system. MMT is required by the Federal Transit Administration to provide this paratransit service.

 
Through a combination of the City of Colorado Springs budget and Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority funds, MMT allocated $761,939 to these specialized transportation providers for 2014. This funding will support more than 40,000 rides.

 

Through a competitive procedure, organizations applied for funding in an open process. After funding is awarded, MMT conducts ongoing contract compliance to ensure tax payer money is spent according to the terms outlined in each provider's contract.

 
What you might not know is MMT also partners with other transportation providers who can offer transportation options in addition to MMT's service. Some of these providers also offer a higher level of service such as door-thru-door assistance for qualifying riders. Organizations such as Silver Key, El Paso County (through Fountain Valley Senior Center), Community Intersections, and Amblicab Transit can support people beyond Mountain Metro's reach, helping them to live as independently as possible.
Meet Two New Metro Employees

 

Mountain Metro's new Planning Supervisor, Richard Marcus, has a Master's degree in Transportation Planning from UCLA and fifteen years of experience in the transit industry, including stints with three different transit operators, two metropolitan planning organizations, a county transportation commission and a private sector transportation planning consultancy. He is well-versed in a variety of different types of transportation and transit planning, and has worked to improve public transport systems of all sizes from the New York MTA-Metro North Railroad to various transit systems in Southern California to the CityBus in his hometown of Santa Rosa. 

  

Prior to moving to Colorado Springs, Richard lived and worked in most parts of California, New York City, Washington, D.C. and London, UK. He is happy to apply his transit planning skills to meet the challenges of the car-oriented sprawl of Colorado Springs. Richard plans to work diligently to analyze and improve MMT bus route efficiency, and looks forward to representing the agency at public meetings.

 

In his spare time, Richard covers sporting events of all sorts as a freelance sports reporter, coaches youth sports and attends UCLA football games.

 

   
Public Communications Specialist, Kelley Heider, comes to us from Chicago where she worked as Marketing Manager in the Journals Division of the University of Chicago Press after earning her Master's in English and Science and Technology Studies from the University of Chicago. Kelley has experience in internet and social media marketing, content management, public relations, and project management.
 
"I'm looking forward to working more directly with the public about issues that affect them immediately," said Kelley, "Mountain Metro cares about fostering a community, and I hope to help support that mission through clear and timely communication across multiple platforms."
 
When she isn't seeking out interesting anecdotes to share on MMT social media, Kelley enjoys hiking, writing, and exploring Colorado Springs.
 
Commuter Benefits

 

Federal tax laws allow employees to reduce their commuting costs by up to 40%, while helping employers save 10% or more on payroll taxes. That's right, and no organization is too small or too large. All employers, from single person offices to large businesses, private, public, and non-profit can participate. All employees can use tax-free dollars to pay for their commuting expenses. Currently, the maximum tax-free discount that can be provided to each employee for transit is $125 per month.

 

Employer Benefits

  • Tax-deductible
  • Reduces payroll taxes via pre-tax benefit
  • Effective recruiting and retention tool

 Employee Benefits

  • Reduces costs
  • Increases salary by using pre-tax dollars
  • Decreases parking problems

 

This is a great way to lower your costs and encourage the use of public transportation. Ask your employer to check it out.

 

For more information:

 

Commuter Checks

www.commuterchecks.com

Tel: 800-531-2828

 

TranBen Checks

www.tranben.com

Tel: 877-587-6236

 

Reduced Service During

Inclement Weather

 

If we experience severe weather conditions during the upcoming winter season that warrant street closures and reduced transit service, then a reduced service policy will be implemented. Transit will operate on the following list of routes when these main arterial roads are cleared. In the event of inclement weather, we will strive to provide access to some critical services such as hospitals and grocery stores via the following streets:

  • Platte Ave. from Academy Blvd. to Boulder St.
  • Boulder St. from Nevada Ave. to Platte Ave.
  • Nevada Ave. from North I-25 to Southgate Road.
  • Academy Blvd. from Voyager Pkwy. to PPCC
  • Colorado Ave. from 31st Street to Nevada Ave.
  • Garden of the Gods Rd from Centennial Blvd to Academy Blvd.

Please visit mmtransit.com, call 385-RIDE, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter for regular transit updates during harsh weather conditions.

 

Travel Training - Learn How to Use the City Bus System!

 

If it has been a while since you have used the city bus system and would like to get up to speed on how it all works, Mountain Metropolitan Transit offers FREE travel training classes. The training is interesting, fun, and even includes a ride on a city bus. MMT can provide training at your school, office, or facility, or you can come to our place.

 

Please call us at 719-385-7439 for more information.

 

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For more information about Mountain Metropolitan Transit visit www.mmtransit.com or call 719-385-RIDE.
In This Issue
Specialized Transportation Providers - Did You Know?
Meet Two New Metro Employees
Commuter Benefits
Reduced Service During Inclement Weather
Travel Training