What does CATMA stand for?

CATMA is the acronym for Campus Area Transportation Management Association.

Who or What is CATMA?

CATMA is a non-profit membership based organization formed to collectively reduce single occupant vehicles (SOVs) and auto emissions, typically in a specific area experiencing traffic and parking issues.

What is a TMA?

TMAs provide and manage a variety of programs tailored to an employer’s need to provide access to affordable, convenient transportation options, decrease system maintenance demands, reduce vehicle congestion on roads and highways and provide healthy active commuting lifestyles. Their programs also reduce the amount of land dedicated to parking and provide additional benefits to employers and employees. CATMA is one of two TMAs in Vermont and one of 175 TMAs in the United States.

Which employers belong to CATMA?

• Champlain College
• Fletcher Allen
  
• University of Vermont
• CCRPC
• State of Vermont “Core Downtown Burlington District” as part of a Pilot Program

Who is eligible to receive CATMA benefits?

All employees, faculty and staff of the CATMA member Institutions receiving salary and who are eligible for employer-paid benefits can register to join CATMA.

How does an employer find out more about becoming a CATMA member?

Due to numerous inquiries received over the past couple of years, the CATMA Board of Directors has approved opening up membership within CATMA to area employers. Please contact CATMA at 656-7433 to discuss membership.

What does “alternately commute” mean?

Alternately commute is a term for any mode of transportation other than traveling to work and back by yourself in your own vehicle. Walking, bicycling, carpooling, vanpooling, using a carsharing program, and telecommuting are considered “alternately commuting”.

What are some of the incentives and programs that CATMA offers to its members?

• Emergency Ride Home

• If you alternately commute at least 2 days a week on a regular basis or park at an off-site location and ride a shuttle or carpool you are eligible for the Emergency Ride Home program. If an emergency arises on a day that you alternately commute, CATMA will provide a FREE emergency taxi ride home. Simply register with CATMA and we will send you a CommuteSmart card with instructions for using the program. When an emergency arises simply call the phone number on your CommuteSmart , show it to Morf/Benways Cab and you can ride home for free (excluding tip) for up to $60 in cab fare). This is available twice a month, for up to 8 times a year.

• Unlimited Access

• All faculty, staff and students at UVM and Champlain College can ride the area’s public transit, CCTA, Local, Commuter and LINK routes at no cost. Simply swipe your institution’s ID through the fare-box reader and you’re good to go.

• Discounted Bus Pass

• The American Red Cross: 50% subsidies on all passes. Contact the CATMA office.
• Fletcher Allen: 50% subsidy on both monthly and 10-ride bus passes for local routes and 25% on LINK routes. Employees can purchase discounted bus passes through the FAHC Security Office, MCHV Campus.
• CCRPC: 50% subsidies on all passes up to $300/year. Contact Bernie Ferenc in the MPO office.
• City of Burlington: employees receive a FREE 10-ride or monthly pass on CCTA local and LINK routes. Contact the City's HR department.

• RidesWork Confidential Carpool Matching 

• Employees of Champlain College, Fletcher Allen, and University of Vermont are eligible for this service. When you register with CATMA, indicate that you are interested in carpooling and write up a notice for the RidesWork Carpool Bulletin Board. CATMA will help you to find a match. Click here for more information.

• Alternate Commuter of the Month
  

• Every Month CATMA raffles off 3 to 4 gift certificates to local restaurants - Three Tomatoes, Penny Cluse, VT Pub and Brewery
  

**Click here to see our Membership Directory that describes commuter benefits offered by employers belonging to CATMA

What are some other benefits of CATMA?

• Being part of the solution!

• By taking the bus, carpooling, walking or biking several days a week, you are helping to reduce you carbon footprint, reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in Burlington and its environs.

• It’s good for your health

• Walking to work, a bus stop or a neighbor’s to carpool, or bicycling just a couple of days a week, can help to burn calories. Even socializing in a carpool or vanpool can help combat feelings of isolation and be good for you!

What types of situations qualify as an emergency for the Emergency Ride Home Program?

• An immediate family member has an emergency and you are unable to wait for your normal ride homeA serious problem occurs at your child's school or daycare center (a stop at a school or day care to pick up an ill child is covered)
• You get sick at work and can't wait for your normal ride home
• You have to work mandatory, unscheduled overtime
• Your carpool driver has to leave work early because of an emergency, sickness, or must  work unscheduled overtime and you have no other way to get home
• You miss the last bus
• You are a biker or walker that cannot commute home because of inclement weather
• Your bicycle breaks down and you can’t ride it home

Do I need to pay for the cab when used for CATMA’s Emergency Ride Home program?

No. CATMA’s emergency ride home program is a FREE Taxi ride home on a day you alternately commute to work. CATMA will pay up to $60 for each use of the program. You must be registered with CATMA and have a active Commute Smart Card to be eligible.

How do I register for CATMA’s Emergency Ride Home program or the Bike/Walk Rewards program?

Your employer must be a member of CATMA. Simply click here or look for one of our representatives at your next employee benefits event. If you are alternately commuting at least 2 days a week, CATMA will send you a welcome packet containing your CommuteSmart Card. If you walk or bike at least 3 days a week and indicate that on your registration, you will also be sent several Bike/Walk Rewards cards to get you started.

How does the Bike/Walk Rewards program work?

When you register with CATMA, you should indicate that you currently walk and/or bike at least three days a week on a regular basis. In order to receive a $15.00 gift card from a local merchant, you must participate for a total of 8 weeks. This can be done in two four-week blocks. Each of the four weeks must be consecutive but the two four-week blocks do not. You will be sent two Bike/Walk Rewards cards to get you started. You simply need to log in the days that you participate, noting any weeks that you were out (and the valid reason – such as vacation, illness, conference etc). You will need to mail your card back to CATMA. Within a week or two, your gift card will be sent along with an email reminding you of when your next card should begin.

Can I participate in the Bike/Walk program if I ride my bike to the bus stop?

While CATMA encourages all modes of alternately commuting, in order to receive a gift card, you must be biking/walking from home to work and back. Depending upon your proximity to a bus stop and the safety of the roads between your home and work, however, you could take the bus twice a week and walk/bike three times a week – that way you could reap the rewards of both the discounted or free CCTA bus pass AND the Bike/Walk Rewards program.

Who is eligible for the Bike/Walk Rewards program?

All employees, faculty and staff of the CATMA member Institutions receiving salary and who are eligible for employer-paid benefits can register to join CATMA.

What is carsharing? Is it the same as carpooling?

Good question! Carsharing is a membership-based organization that provides members with the chance to consider leaving their car at home or perhaps even reducing the number of cars they own. The program allows members to reserve a car that is billable by the hour or day. We’re fortunate to have our own non-profit here in Burlington’s - CarShare Vermont. Free membership is offered to employees of both University of Vermont and Champlain College. CarShare Vermont encourages everyone to alternately commute and use CarShare Vermont cars when the need arises. Their cars are conveniently located in several spots around Burlington. For more information, check out their website: CarShare Vermont

Carpooling, on the other hand, involves two or more people riding together in one vehicle to get to their destination. It could be in their own vehicle, or if it’s just for a few hours, perhaps in a CarShare VT car. It’s a great way to share the cost of gas and perhaps some great conversation or music.

Who is eligible for CATMA’s confidential carpool matching program?

Registered members of CATMA employed at Champlain College, Fletcher Allen Health Care and University of Vermont are offered a free, confidential ride-matching service. Contact us at 656-7433 or register on our website.

How do I know if I’m a registered member of CATMA?

Have you received a CommuteSmart card in the mail? Go to our website and register – we’ll let you know if you’re already in our database. Or give us a call at 656-7433