Cash Out Program Benefits the Campus, Community and Environment.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Last month, I wrote about how University of Kentucky Transportation Services has been working to meet our community’s mobility needs, through a collaborative partnership with the city of Lexington.

Our various mobility options align with the goals set forth in the UK Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Not only are we expanding the number of options offered and aimed at improving access to, from, and around campus, but these options are also benefiting the campus, community, and environment.

The University of Kentucky is now offering a financial incentive to forgo bringing a car to campus. Transportation Services has just begun accepting applications for its cash out incentive program this year. It had a successful pilot last year and will be continuing again in 2018.

The program offers up to 200 qualified employees who elect to participate in the cash out program $200 over a one-year period, which will be divided evenly on each pay check over the course of the year. This is a way to financially reward employees who choose to forgo bringing a motor vehicle to campus for one year. Participants will have the opportunity to renew for another year, if they desire to continue.

The financial rewards of the cash out program extend well beyond $200. Over the enrollment period, participants would also benefit from substantial cost savings associated with not purchasing a parking permit, as well as reduced fuel and maintenance expenditures.

This cash out program is aimed at employees who have access to commuting alternatives, such as BluPass, bicycling, or carpooling, or who live within walking distance from campus. We hope to reduce the number of single-occupancy motor vehicle trips to, from, and around campus and to promote modes of transportation that save money (for individuals and the University), foster healthier lifestyles, and have lower environmental impacts—again, aligning with the UK Transportation Master Plan.

To reduce the number of vehicles on campus, priority will be given to employees who have had a parking permit for the past fiscal year. However, new employees will also be given consideration.

If you are interested in applying for this program, the application is available here. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 15, 2018. Transportation Services will begin reviewing applications in mid-May and will notify recipients on a rolling basis. Interested employees are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Qualified and selected faculty and staff members will be notified by email that they are eligible and will need to attend a short program orientation in order to begin receiving cash back. Eligibility requirements can be found here.

If you have any questions about the cash out program, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page or email UKTransportation@lsv.uky.edu.

To help students and employees more easily navigate the wide variety of transportation modes available, Transportation Services is now also offering free personalized commute planning assistance. This initiative showcases our commitment to the UK family—continuous improvement and innovative thinking to serve the campus’ mobility needs and to promote sustainability. Employees interested in the cash out program my find this commute planning assistance helpful.

Visit www.uky.edu/transportation/commuteplanning to sign up for personalized commute planning assistance.

University of Kentucky Transportation Services will continue to explore new partnerships and additional ways to reduce single-occupancy motor vehicle use on campus. Thank you for your participation and continuous feedback.

Have a great week.

Eric N. Monday

@UKYMonday

#seeblue