WELCOME TO YOUR CHEAPER HEALTHIER COMMUTE
BUFFALO NIAGARA
Whether you walk, bike, take transit, carpool, or hail a ride, we’ll help you find a better way to get to work and home again. GO Bu alo Niagara o ers tools, resources, and discounts so you can find a transportation mode that fits your lifestyle and saves you money along the way.
So many options.
A Better Way to Get to Work
Erie County has partnered with GO Bu alo Niagara to o er you special transportation benefits to travel to, from, in, and around the neighborhood!
Create an account on the Erie County Carpool Matching Portal at gobu aloniagara.org/ErieCounty to explore online tools and sign up for exclusive benefits.
METRO RAIL METRO BUS
SAVE
Bicycling and walking reduce your transportation costs to practically zero and you get fit in the process. A growing network of bike lanes, trails, and paths connect many parts of the region. Visit gobikebu alo.org for more information.
RIDE METRO BUS OR RAIL
NFTA Metro Bus and Rail provides convenient and a ordable service throughout the Bu alo Niagara region. Your employer may enable you to pay for transit costs on a pre-tax or even discounted basis, saving you 30% or more. Ask your employer about the Metro Perk and Corporate Pass Programs.
CARPOOL
SHARE THE RIDE (& COST)
Carpooling is an easy way to reduce commuting costs and stress. GO Bu alo Niagara o ers a FREE ridematching system to help you find those with whom you can share the ride. Learn more at: gobu aloniagara.org/ErieCounty
BIKE-SHARE
BIKES ON DEMAND
Biking to work is great exercise, and saves money on car payments, repairs, fuel, and parking. With Reddy Bikeshare, you don’t even need to own or maintain your own bike, with access to over 400 bikes at 90 locations in Bu alo and Niagara Falls.
RIDE-HAIL HAIL IT
Whether it’s a taxi or ride-hail service like Uber or Lyft, you can request a ride within minutes right from your phone. Use the Guaranteed Ride Home Program to call a Lyft, Uber, or local taxi in an emergency on days when you’ve taken a sustainable mode of transportation to work.
2 3 Find out more at gobuffaloniagara.org Find out more at gobuffaloniagara.org
pg. 8 Commuter Incentives.......pg. 5 Bike Programs.....pg. 6
by gobu aloniagara.org/ErieCounty info@gobu aloniagara.org
256-2430
of Exploring Transportation Options.......pg. 3
Powered
(716)
Benefits
Assistance....pg. 12 How Do You Get to Work?....pg. 10 WALK BIKE
1-on-1
MONEY
AND GET HEALTHIER
$8,500 Average annual expense to own and operate a vehicle. Annual cost of a metro pass. Annual cost of a Reddy Bikeshare pass. $120 Average annual cost to operate a bike $624$900 $55 So much saving. ANNUAL MOBILITY COSTS Average annual cost to lease a parking spot in Bu alo $744
Online Tools & Carpooling Commuter Incentives
511NY Rideshare Portal
511NY Rideshare is a free online tool customized for employees of Erie County. Use the website to:
• Find carpool partners
• Plan bike and transit trips
• Locate park & ride lots
• View live traffic conditions
• Register for Guaranteed Ride Home
Create your free 511NY Rideshare account at: gobuffaloniagara.org/ErieCounty
Commuter Rewards
Earn rewards for your commute! Commuters who use the 511 Mobility app to track at least 10 green trips per month will be automatically entered into a raffle to win one of ten available $50 gift cards to local businesses each month. Download the 511 Mobility app to start tracking your trips today.
511 Mobility App
Plan multimodal trips, with options for biking, walking, transit, driving, and combinations of all four. Filter trips by timeframe, costs, walking distance, and wheelchair accessibility. Measure the positive impacts of your commuting choices through metrics showing CO2 reduction, money saved, calories burned, trips taken, and miles traveled.
Guaranteed Ride Home
People often wonder what they would do if a sudden emergency came up and they need to get somewhere quickly, but they rode the bus or bike to work. Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) has you covered. In the event of an emergency, eligible commuters can Uber, Lyft, or taxi to get home. GO Buffalo Niagara covers the cost of the ride up to $50/ride and $200/year. For more details about eligibility and to enroll, visit: gobuffaloniagara.org/ErieCounty
Download on the App Store Download on the App Store 4 5 Find out more at gobuffaloniagara.org Find out more at gobuffaloniagara.org
Bike Programs Bike
Reddy Bikeshare
Biking to work is great exercise, and saves money on car payments, repairs, fuel, and parking. With Reddy Bikeshare, you don’t even need to own or maintain your own bike. Sign to get a 20% discount on your annual membership to Reddy Bikeshare at: gobuffaloniagara.org/ErieCounty
Indoor Bicycle Parking
Erie County employees can keep their bicycles secure and out of inclement weather with free access to secure indoor bicycle parking at the Rath Building.
To access secure bike parking, please email sustainability@erie.gov, or contact your department Green Team representative.
GObike Buffalo
Through GO Buffalo Niagara, Erie County employees receive a 20% discount to annual membership at GObike Buffalo. Members get unlimited access to the community workshop at 98 Colvin Blvd. in Buffalo, as well as discounts to GObike Buffalo events such as the annual SkyRide. Get your discount code at: gobuffaloniagara.org/ErieCounty
Bicycle Resources
Biking in Buffalo Niagara keeps getting better, as more communities invest in safer streets and bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Visit gobuffaloniagara.org/bike for tools and tips for riding in the region, including:
• Interactive map of bike facilities
• Safety tips
• Info on how to bring a bike on transit
PRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT HEALTH
6 7 Find out more at gobuffaloniagara.org Find out more at gobuffaloniagara.org
Riding Transit with NFTA
Nearby Transit Options
Erie County’s downtown Buffalo offices are conveniently located within a short walk of the Church Street Metro Rail station, and within a few blocks of more than a dozen bus stops served by 24 Metro Bus routes going in every direction. Want to avoid the hassle of driving and parking downtown, but still need a car to get to transit? Explore regional park-and-ride options at: gobuffaloniagara.org/park-n-rides
How to Ride
The days of scrounging for quarters to pay for the bus are in the past. NFTA has rolled out new fare options that make paying for transit even easier. Download the Token Transit app on your smartphone to pay for single, daily, weekly, or monthly passes with a credit or debit card, then use your phone as your ticket. Learn more about how to ride with our helpful guide: gobuffaloniagara.org/how-to-ride-guides
Plan Your Trip
Planning your commute with transit is easy with the variety of helpful digital tools available through the NFTA. Find the best routes for your trip to work, explore route schedules and maps, and even get realtime information about when your bus is going to arrive at your stop. To find the tools to maximize your transit commute visit metro.nfta.com/schedules/plan-your-trip
Give Transit a Try!
May is Clean Air Month, and to celebrate, GO Buffalo Niagara offers a $40 discount on NFTA Monthly Passes for the first 500 participants who register. The program is open to anyone, but it is a great way for new riders try transit for a month at a discount. Keep your eyes out for more information about Give Transit a Try! at: gobuffaloniagara.org/ErieCounty
8 9 Find out more at gobuffaloniagara.org Find out more at gobuffaloniagara.org
How Do You Get to Work?
Complete a brief survey about your transportation habits and preferences to help us continuously improve your transportation benefits.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY
...or scan the QR code with your smart phone!
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We’re Here to Help You Get On Board
Still have questions, or just not sure where to start? GO Buffalo Niagara is ready to give you individualized assistance exploring your transportation options.
Give us a call, send us an email, or reach out to us on social media, and together we’ll help you find the best way to get you where you need to go. Visit us online for even more resources to help you find the commute that works for you:
gobuffaloniagara.org
facebook.com/gobuffaloniagara
gobuffaloniagara
GOBuffNiagara
gobuffaloniagara.org
info@gobuffaloniagara.org
(716) 256-2430
1-on-1 Assistance
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BUFFALO NIAGARA
January 2022