QUESTION

ANSWER

Am I eligible for the transit, carpool, bike   & walk incentive program, known as TRIP, Trip Reduction Incentive   Program?

Yes- If you are a City of Portland Employee who is eligible for   benefits

No- If you work for a temporary agency, private contractor, or you   are a seasonal employee not eligible for benefits.  Contact your   bureau’s timekeeper with benefit eligibility questions. 

How do I sign up, change, or cancel my Bike   & Walk Bucks?

 In SAP Employee Self Service.  Look for the tab called   Employees Programs.  This is where you can find the link to the Bike   & Walk Bucks online form and get information on the "Trip Reduction   Incentive Program (TRIP) incentives.

How does the City calculate the $50 monthly   incentive?

The language from the 2013 City of Portland T.R.I.P Ordinance states:   PBOT and OMF shall maintain an incentive   contribution rate for all city bureaus that is roughly equivalent to 50% of   the cost of a TriMet pass, rounded to the nearest dollar.  The incentive   contribution rate shall be reviewed annually and set no later than January 1   to be in the budget the subsequent fiscal year.  

When can I submit Bike & Walk   Bucks?  

You can submit your Bike & Walk Bucks incentive at any time   before the last work day of each quarter. Not necessary to wait until you   finished certain month. If you would like an email reminder, send an email to maria.xiong@portlandoregon.gov and you will be added to a reminder list that goes out at the end  of each quarter.

How do I know, or double check, if I received   the Bike & Walk Bucks incentives?

The Bike & Walk Bucks incentives are paid out quarterly with the   2^nd paycheck of January, April, July, and October. Review your pay   statement or paystub to confirm you received the incentives on time.

What if I can’t remember if I already turned   in my Bike & Walk Bucks?

In SAP Employee Self Service. Look for the tab called Employees   Programs. Select the Bike & Walk Bucks link to be taken to the   online form that has an overview of your submissions.

Instead of submitting Bike   & Walk Bucks in SAP Employee Self Service for each quarter, can I fill in   a paper form and send it to payroll office?

NO – Employee whoever wants to have the Bike & Walk Bucks   incentive must make the submission through SAP Employee Self Service. The   paper form is granted conditionally for approved exemptions only.

Can I submit Bike & Walk Bucks if part of   my commute is riding the bus or MAX, or if some days I just walk to the   bus/Max and don’t ride my bike at all?

Yes - You can use combinations of walking, biking, and transit and   still be eligible for Bike & walk Bucks; however, if you participated the   Bike & Walk Bucks, you cannot sign up for any TriMet/CTRAN/Columbia   County Rider transit pass at the same time.  

Can I submit Bike & Walk   Bucks while at the same time, sign up for a TriMet/CTRAN Benefit Plan?

No - You cannot have Bike & Walk Bucks and any   TriMet/CTRAN/Columbia County Rider transit pass at the same time. Once you   submit Bike & Walk Bucks, you are not eligible for any   TriMet/CTRAN/Columbia County Rider annual or monthly transit pass.

What if I want to bike or walk to work in the   nicer months and take the bus in the Fall/Winter? 

You can sign up for the monthly transit pass deduction for the rainy   season. Please make sure your TriMet/CTRAN monthly pass is stopped   approximately 8 weeks in advance of switching over to Bike & Walk Bucks.   When you want to get the pass again enroll in SAP for a TriMet Monthly Pass 8   weeks ahead of wanting your next pass.

What are the rules for the Bike & Walk   Bucks Program? 

Please refer to Bike & Walk Bucks Section, HR Administrative Rule   10.03. A link to "Human Resources Administrative Rule 10.03" is show   up on the top of this webpage. They are also available in the City of   Portland, Bureau of Human Resources Website. Launch into City of Portland   Home page, find “Bureaus” section, scroll down to Letter “H” and click “Human   Resources, Bureau of” to launch to BHR website. Find the "Administrative   Rules" section, and scroll down to “10.03 Trip Reduction Incentive   Program (TRIP)"

 QUESTION

ANSWER 

How does the City calculate the $50 monthly   incentive?

The language from the 2013 City of Portland T.R.I.P Ordinance states:   PBOT and OMF shall maintain an incentive   contribution rate for all city bureaus that is roughly equivalent to 50% of   the cost of a TriMet pass, rounded to the nearest dollar.  The incentive   contribution rate shall be reviewed annually and set no later than January 1   to be in the budget the subsequent fiscal year.  

How do I get Carpool checks?  

Complete a carpool application form and send it to maria.xiong@portlandoregon.gov

Where can I park and use Carpool checks to   pay for parking?

Private parking lot and garage operators in the downtown area will   accept carpool checks towards your monthly payment. In addition, you can   use carpool checks towards a carpool permit at a City-owned Smartpark garages   and on-street meters. Contact the Bureau of Transportation Parking Permit  program in at x3-2777.

Can I carpool with my friend   or family but still be qualified for this program?

Yes – Your carpool partner is not necessary to be a City employee.   But all carpool members must work or go to school within the boundary area   indicated on the Carpool Zone Map, HR Administrative Rule 10.03. The map is   also available in the Carpool Application Form. Please contact maria.xiong@portlandoregon.gov for a copy.

Can I use Carpool check if my carpool vehicle   parks in a free parking lot outside of Downtown, such as Water Bureau   Interstate or the Wastewater Treatment Plant?

No – Carpool check is only available to City carpoolers who pay for   monthly parking.

What if my parking lot do not   want to accept carpool checks and insist me to pay in full? Can I pay my monthly   parking fee in full amount and get reimbursed for $50.00 every month?

No – The City cannot reimburse carpooler directly. Carpooler should   let the parking management understand that they need to send separate  invoices to the carpooler and to the City.

What if my carpool partner is   going to have a medical leave or on vacation? Can I drive alone but still be   qualified for this program?

Yes – You can drive alone and still be qualified for this program if   your carpool partner takes a leave of absence for a period less than 4 weeks.   If the absence is greater than 4 weeks, it is the remaining carpooler(s)’   responsibility to find another qualified partner and complete a new   application form.

What are the rules for the Carpool Program? 

Please refer to Carpool Section, HR Administrative Rule 10.03. A link   to "Human Resources Administrative Rule 10.03" is show up on the   top of this webpage. They are also available in the City of Portland, Bureau   of Human Resources Website. Launch into City of Portland Home page, find   “Bureaus” section, scroll down to Letter “H” and click “Human Resources,   Bureau of” to launch to BHR website. Find the "Administrative Rules"   section, scroll down to “10.03 Trip Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP)".

 QUESTION

 ANSWER

Rules of the Emergency Ride Home (from HR   10.03) 

For employees who carpool, use transit, walk, skateboard, skate or   bike to work, Tri-Met will pay for a taxi to take them home if they need to   leave work unexpectedly due to an emergency.  When the emergency occurs   contact your bureau’s designated transportation coordinator for a voucher and   to call a taxi cab company specified on the voucher.

Authorized reasons for using Emergency Ride Home Program are:

1. The   employee cannot take transit, walk or bike home because they are ill; or
2. A   close family member is seriously ill, has been in an accident, or died.    A close family member is a parent, sibling, spouse, domestic partner, child,   or guardian; or
3. A   serious problem or crisis arises such as damage to home or property, or a   problem at school or daycare that requires immediate attention; or
4. The   driver of the carpool or vanpool has to leave early to address an emergency   and other riders are stranded.

If you do not know who is your transportation coordinator, please contact maria.xiong@portlandoregon.gov