OAR 125-090-0138: Alternative Transportation Modes Incentive Programs

(1) DAS may provide incentive programs to encourage the use of Alternative Transportation Modes. The goals of these programs are to reduce traffic volume and Parking demand, improve air quality, and reward the efforts of State Employees who leave their cars at home. (a) DAS may provide these incentives from Parking Facility receipts. The program incentives are subject to available funding. DAS may increase or reduce incentives provided and the number of program Participants. (b) To receive the incentives, an Applicant must meet the applicable program requirements, complete the application process, and pay any applicable charge. (2) DAS administers the following incentive program for State Employees: The Smart Commuter Program is available to State Employees. Smart Commuter Program Participants receive Smart Commuter Parking Permit and other incentives as DAS may provide. (a) To be eligible to participate in the Smart Commuter Program, an Applicant must meet all of the following requirements each year: (A) Be a State Employee whose Work Location is in the Capitol Mall Parking Area or the Portland State Office Building. (B) Use an Alternative Transportation Mode to commute to the State Employee’s Work Location more than half of the Applicant’s working days each month. Any one or combination of the following Alternative Transportation Modes qualifies (Motorcycle and Carpool transportation is not an Alternative Transportation Mode): public transit, rail, van pool, commuter bus, Bicycle, or walk from home or from a Park and ride lot; and (C) Complete the certification in the application form and recertify annually thereafter; and (D) Agree to abide by the Smart Commuter Program rules. (b) State Employees who Lease Parking in a private, public lot or who are Participants in a Carpool or participate in a Carpool with assigned Parking in a City of Salem or City of Portland Carpool Area are not eligible for the Smart Commuter Program. (c) All of the following apply to the incentive given to Smart Commuter Program Participants: (A) Program incentives include Smart Commuter Parking Permits for use on not more than two business days per month when validated. (B) A Participant in the Smart Commuter Program may use each Permit to Park a Motor Vehicle for a workday in unreserved Parking Facilities and at two-hour or greater metered areas in the Capitol Mall Parking Structure, and as otherwise specified by DAS on the Permit. (C) A Participant in the Smart Commuter Program may use each Permit to Park a Motor Vehicle for a workday in unreserved Parking spaces, at pay and Park spaces at Portland State Office Building, and as otherwise specified by DAS on the Permit. At Portland State Office Building, Smart Commuter Permits may not be used at two hour or less pay and Park spaces. (D) The Permit must be validated by marking the date it is used. There is no carryover of unused days from one month to the next. (E) A Smart Commuter Permit is not transferable and is not replaceable if lost or stolen. (F) A Smart Commuter Program Participant must notify DAS in Writing when the individual changes State Agency employment or is no longer eligible for the Smart Commuter Program. Permits expire when the State Employee ceases to be eligible to participate. Expired Permits are invalid, and users may be cited. Unused Permits must be returned to DAS. (G) Smart Commuter Program Participants must recertify eligibility each June, or as specified by DAS, for renewed participation for the next 12 months.