CATMA, CCTA & Other Programs

Help is Here to Make Your Commute to Work/Campus Easier On You And Your Wallet!

Introduction

With the price of gas these days along with society's concern for the environment and the growing traffic congestion and parking situation, there has been an increasing interest and need for employers and commuters to seek other transportation options other than driving alone to work—riding a bike, walking, carpooling, telecommuting or taking the bus.

The Campus Area TMA (a.k.a. CATMA) and Champlain College provide employees and students with programs, services and incentives encouraging and enabling people to choose alternate travel modes to get TO and FROM work/class.

CATMA was established in 1992 as a formal association of Fletcher Allen Health Care, Champlain College, the University of Vermont and the American Red Cross to jointly plan, manage and share transportation and parking resources. It is a collective mission of CATMA members to provide safe, convenient and economical transportation and parking solutions to the institutions and health care organizations located in a shared common area known as "The Hill" or the Campus District.

Bike/Walk Reward Program

Employees receiving salary and benefits from Champlain College are eligible to participate and register in CATMA's award winning Bike/Walk Reward program. This program rewards employees who bike and/or walk TO AND FROM work at least three times a week for two four week blocks with a $15 gift card. You can choose a gift card from either Ski Rack, City Market, Merrill's Roxy Cinema or Borders Bookstore.

When you register for this program, CATMA will send you a "welcome packet" which includes a Bike/Walk Bucks Reward Card. There are two 4-week blocks listed on the card, and you write in the dates that you bike or walk TO AND FROM work. When you complete the required weeks, simply return the card to CATMA and we'll send you your requested $15 gift card with another blank Bike/Walk card. The program is flexible in that you can participate on a 4-week basis as it fits with your schedule and cooperative weather!

All Bike/Walk program participants are automatically enrolled in CATMA's Emergency Ride Home Program, a FREE taxi ride home in the event of an emergency, including a breakdown of your bicycle!

Confidential Carpool Matching Service - RIDESWORK - 656-RIDE

RIDESWORK is a free, confidential carpool matching service personally provided by CATMA staff. CATMA's database includes people who are interested in finding a carpool partner(s) as well as existing carpools who are accepting additional members. CATMA's database is unique in that it consists of employees who are employed and commuting to "the hill" and downtown Burlington .

CATMA's website has current RIDESWORK listings updated regularly, so if you're interested in carpooling, check it out. The ads are listed under various cities and towns, so you can quickly view ads from the town and/or park & ride closest to you. For confidentiality purposes, your name is not listed in the ad, only your CATMA member number.

If you are interested in joining a carpool or seeking additional members, simply register online at www.catmavt.org or call CATMA at 656-RIDE. In addition to advertising on our website, once you register with CATMA, your "carpool ad" will be listed in CATMA's periodic online TRANSPORTATION NEWSLETTER.

All carpool participants who register with CATMA are also covered by the Emergency Ride Home program.

Here are a few reasons why you might consider carpooling: fewer vehicles on the road meaning a less congested highway and "hill" area; better air quality; a chance to enjoy the view; relaxing while someone else drives; meeting new people; and saving all that gas and money!

Unlimited Access "Free Bus Ride" Program

All Champlain College faculty, staff and students can ride any CCTA bus anytime, anywhere, including the LINK Express routes for FREE. Just show the bus driver your ID then swipe it through the fare box card reader. If you need to take more than one bus to get to your destination, YOU MUST ask the driver for a transfer before you leave the bus.

Keep in mind that all Champlain College employees who are riding the bus on a regular basis qualify for CATMA's Emergency Ride Home program. This is a FREE taxi cab ride home in the event of an emergency on a day you took the bus (up to $60/ ride). You must register with CATMA as a bus rider in order to use this program.

There are CCTA Bus Map & Guides that provide you with specific route and schedule information. You can pick up a Bus Guide at various Champlain College campus locations; at www.cctaride.org or at CATMA.

Emergency Ride Home Program

This FREE Emergency Ride Home Program is available only to employees who don't drive alone to work, and either carpool, vanpool, ride with a family member, bike, walk or take the bus. You MUST register with CATMA as an alternate commuter in order to receive this FREE emergency taxi ride. Once you register, you will receive a "welcome packet" from CATMA which includes a Commute Smart Card with your name, employer and CATMA Member Number.

If an emergency arises on a day that you used an alternate commute mode, you simply call the cab company directly to make your emergency ride arrangements. You MUST have your CATMA Commute Smart Card to show the cab driver. The Emergency Ride Home program will pay up to $60 of the fare (approximately 40 miles), so you will be responsible for any additional charges, including the tip, so it's good to keep some extra cash with you. Members can use this program up to twice a month or eight times a year.

Monthly Drawings

Every month, CATMA does FOUR drawings of two $15 certificates and two $10 certificates to either Three Tomatoes, VT Pub & Brewery or Penny Cluse Cafe. The winners are selected from everyone registered with CATMA as an alternate commuter and are posted on the CATMA website.

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION

CATMA, 20 West Canal Street, Suite C9, Winooski, Vermont 05404
www.catmavt.org
Email: catma@uvm.edu
802-656-RIDE