School Services provides complimentary consultations to DC public, private, and charter schools to implement and enhance commuter benefit programs for staff, and encourage students and families to use sustainable transportation.
From transit benefits to secure bike parking and carpooling, we make it easy for your teachers, staff, and students to choose sustainable, affordable, and healthy ways to get to school.
As a free service, we work with you to customize, create, administer, and increase access to transportation benefits and programs. We also provides resources and support to your teachers, staff, and students.
Complimentary assistance and resources to help you develop an effective Sustainable Transportation Plan for your school. Download the template to get started.
Complimentary consultation and resources every step of the way to help your school become compliant with the law. Download the toolkit to get started.
Get Around Guides mapping your nearby transportation options, commuter benefit templates, and brochure ordering services.
Assistance with discounted Capital Bikeshare Corporate Memberships to encourage teachers and staff to bike to school.
Custom online or on‐site education about sustainable transportation choices and commute options, available upon request.
Solutions to all of your school’s bicycling needs, from secure bike storage to employee bike benefit implementation. Watch our webinar to get started.
Assistance creating parking management policies that encourage staff to take sustainable transportation, available upon request.
Solutions to your school’s carpool and vanpool needs, from policy establishment to finding the right technology, available upon request.
Unique commuter surveys polling your staff and students’ travel patterns to uncover results and identify transportation program recommendations, available upon request.
TRANSPORTATION ALL-STAR PROGRAM
Get the recognition you deserve and gain award winning status by becoming a goDCgo Transportation All-Star! This program recognizes DC organizations (Employers, Hotels, Residential Properties, and K-12 Schools) for their commitment to sustainable transportation. Based on the sustainable programs you have in place, like employee commuter benefits/subsidies and educating families about their travel options, you can earn a designation ranging from bronze to platinum and receive special perks and honors.
Commuter benefits are transportation fringe benefits regulated under Section 132(f) of the IRS Tax Code, allowing employees to reduce their monthly commuting expenses for transit, vanpool, and parking. Employers can offer employees a range of pre‐tax or subsidized transit benefits, as well as a host of related perks such as secure bike parking and assistance finding a carpool.
This law requires organizations and businesses (including public, private, and charter schools) with 20 or more employees who work in the District to offer commuter transit benefits—pre‐tax or subsidized—for use on Metrorail, local and express buses, commuter trains and vanpools. Employer‐provided transportation also complies with the Law.
Fines for Non‐Compliance
Effective November 14, 2019, businesses operating in Washington, DC that are not in compliance with the DC Commuter Benefits Law, will be subject to fines. For the first offense, each month that an employer is not in compliance could result in a fine of $100 per covered employee. Repeat offenders would see fines of $200 per employee for the second offense, $400 per employee for the third offense, and $800 per employee for subsequent offenses. The Department of Employment Services (DOES) can answer questions regarding compliance and enforcement. Please contact DOES, Office of Wage‐Hour at 202‐671‐1880 or OWH.ask@dc.gov.
Learn more and find your path to compliance by downloading our Commuter Benefit Toolkit
What They Are
Pre‐tax: Employees can deduct up to $315 per month from their paycheck before taxes and use it towards Metrorail, bus, commuter rail and vanpool fares.
Subsidized: Employers may offer financial support in the form of a fringe benefit (employee is not taxed) specifically to fund an employee’s daily commute. For information on the treatment of certain fringe benefits, including qualified fringe benefits, review the IRS 2019 Publication 15‐B, the Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits.
How to Provide
Transit benefits can be administered in‐house at no cost through WMATA’s SmartBenefits®
program. On a monthly basis, pre‐tax or subsidized funds are auto‐loaded onto an employee’s SmarTrip® card for use on most regional transportation. If your employee(s) do not currently have a WMATA SmarTrip® card, they can conveniently purchase one online. Set up your organization’s SmartBenefits® account online at wmata.com/smartbenefits. Collect and enter employees’ SmarTrip® serial numbers and requested contribution amounts online by the 15th of the month. Funds appear on employees’ cards on the 1st of the following month. Watch the FICA and payroll tax savings roll in with praise from your satisfied employees!
What It Is
Employers may provide a benefit to cover bicycle‐related expenses. It is an optional taxable benefit that does not make an employer compliant with the DC Commuter Benefits Law.
How to Provide
The benefit can be managed internally by reimbursing faculty and staff for bicycle‐related expenses or by providing a monthly voucher, redeemable at local bike shops. The Bicycle Benefit is only available as an employer‐paid benefit. Faculty and staff can receive both the transit benefit and bicycle benefit in the same month. Access to a transit benefit and a bike benefit will have the most impact on an employee’s decision to travel to work sustainably.
Effective January 1, 2018, individuals who participate in an Employer‐Provided Bicycle Benefit must report the benefit as taxable income.
Eager to go the extra mile?
Employers may also offer shuttles, carsharing services, and extra
monetary incentives like walking benefits.
The DC Parking Cashout Law requires DC employers with 20 or more covered employees that offer a parking benefit (free or subsidized parking) to their employees to either offer a Clean Air Fringe Benefit to employees receiving the parking benefit, develop a transportation demand management plan, or pay a Clean Air Compliance fee.
Sustainable Transportation Plan
Stressful commutes can put a damper on staff and students before they even arrive at school. Having a Sustainable Transportation Plan in place is a great way to help teachers, staff, and students discover transportation options between their home and school. Find inspiration for what yours could look like by downloading our template and proposed plan.
Encouraging your teachers, staff, and students to bike is a great way to promote a healthy school and an environmentally friendly travel mode. Develop a bike culture by hosting monthly bike commuter breakfasts, participating in the region’s Bike to School/Bike to Work Day celebrations and starting a Bike Buddy program to help novice cyclists learn from the veterans. From bike rack installation to employee bike benefits, contact goDCgo for complimentary support as you improve your school’s bike appeal!
Schools may provide a bicycle benefit to cover their employees’ bicycle‐related expenses. Teachers and staff who participate in any employer‐provided bicycle benefits program will have to report the benefit as taxable income.
Private and Charter schools can make it easy for teachers and staff to bike to work, around town for lunch, or just for fun. Each one‐year employee membership includes unlimited 45‐minute rides and is a low‐cost benefit to add to your wellness initiatives and commute program.
DC government employees, including DCPS teachers, are eligible for a FREE annual Capital Bikeshare membership. This makes it easy and affordable for teachers and staff to bike to work, around town for lunch, or just for fun. Download and distribute the informational flyer below to your DCPS employees.
Prominently display helpful, informational materials to show your commitment to bike commuting. Request free DC Bike Maps, Capital Bikeshare brochures and bike safety guides for your lobby and new employee/student orientation packets.
SchoolPool by Commuter Connections helps families within the same neighborhood connect with each other to form carpools, walking groups, or biking groups to and from school.
Having a convenient place to shower and change clothes removes one barrier to biking. Schools can work with their building management to add or adapt existing facilities and policies to allow free access to showers and locker rooms for bike commuters.
Secure bike parking for employees and students inside your building gives a rider peace of mind when they bike to school. Under DC’s Bike Parking Regulations, bike parking is required in all buildings with car parking. Submit a request to your building management team.
Placing bike racks in front of your school can reduces the demand for teacher and staff parking. Standard bike racks are provided by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) at no cost, while custom art racks can be purchased for $500‐$1,500. Request a free bike rack assessment from DDOT.
Installing a transit display in your lobby provides employees and students with real time information about Capital Bikeshare bike and dock availability around your office. Contact ActionFigure or Redmon Group to get started.
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) provides Everyday Biking Seminars* and Confident City Cycling classes. WABA can also customize a ride or class to support your organization’s unique location and culture. Private and Charter schools can work with WABA to include student biking classes in their curriculum.
*Everyday Biking Seminars are free for Capital Bikeshare Corporate Members
The goDCgo Transportation All-Star program recognizes DC organizations for their commitment to sustainable transportation. Employers, hotels, schools, and residential properties that offer robust transportation benefit programs and/or amenities can earn recognition for their efforts. Help your organization stand out in your industry by gaining an All-Star designation.
The League of American Bicyclists’ elite Bicycle‐Friendly Business designation acknowledges organizations that promote biking as a healthy, sustainable and fun form of transportation. goDCgo can help you earn points towards the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum designation through fun activities, better bike parking, customized messaging and more.
Do your students feel safe walking and biking to and from school? Safe Routes to School is a District Department of Transportation (DDOT) program that works with DC schools to improve walking and biking safety for students and encourage more students and parents to walk and bike to school. To achieve this, safe routes to school offers school planning assistance, sidewalk construction, and bicycle education. Reach out to Safe Routes to improve your school’s safety!
The Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program provides commuters who regularly (twice a week) bike to work with a FREE reliable ride home, up to four times per year, for emergencies or unscheduled overtime. Maintain productivity, increase morale and continue the flow of business by encouraging participation in GRH. goDCgo can help you promote the program by providing customized marketing materials and hosting on‐site events to answer questions regarding the service. Contact us for more information.
From commuter benefits to real‐time transit displays, transit‐friendly programs help maintain a competitive edge in today’s market while giving teachers and staff the work‐life balance they need. Contact goDCgo for complimentary support creating a transit‐friendly program that meets the unique needs of your teachers, students, and staff.
Teachers and staff can deduct up to $315 per month from their paycheck before taxes and use it towards Metrorail, bus, commuter rail and vanpool fares. Many schools choose to subsidize teacher and staff’s transit fares or mix‐and‐match subsidies and pre‐tax deductions. For more information, see Commuter Benefits.
Displays provide real‐time arrival and departure information specific to your school’s location. Make it easy for teachers and staff to catch the next bus or train by installing a real‐time transit display in your lobby. Contact ActionFigure or Redmon Group to get started.
Make the most of your transit‐friendly location by prominently displaying transportation maps for employees and students. Request free Metrorail and bus brochures for your front desk and new employee/student orientation packets.
Employees can conveniently buy a SmarTrip® card online with any major credit or debit card. SmarTrip® cards can also be purchased at any Metrorail station or at Metro sales offices, retail outlets and commuter stores.
Kids Ride Free (KRF) is a District Department of Transportation (DDOT) program that allows K‐12 students to ride for free on Metrobus, the DC Circulator, and Metrorail within the District to get to school and school‐related activities. Public, private, and charter schools would work with DDOT to make sure students and parents of students have easy access to apply for the program and collect their Kids Ride Free SmarTrip cards.
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) provides bused transportation for students with disabilities. Public, private, and charter schools should work with parents to establish the student’s individual education program (IEP) and get them enrolled for the transit program.
The Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program provides commuters who regularly (twice a week) take transit to work with a FREE reliable ride home, up to four times per year, for emergencies or unscheduled overtime. Maintain productivity, increase morale and continue the flow of business by encouraging participation in GRH. goDCgo can help you promote the program by providing customized marketing materials and hosting on‐site events to answer questions regarding the service. Contact us for more information.
Teachers and staff who share the ride arrive to work less stressed and exhibit higher productivity. If you own or lease parking facilities for employees, each employee who carpools or vanpools could also save your company up to 9% on employee payroll taxes. Contact goDCgo for educational materials and assistance setting up a rideshare program and incentives at your school.
The most common form of ridesharing, carpooling is an arrangement by a group of commuters to drive together in one commuter’s personal car to their worksite(s). Carpools usually consist of individuals who live and work near each other and have the same schedule.
Vanpool commuters pay a monthly fare and drive together in a leased van to their worksite(s). Vanpools often originate at a park‐and‐ride lot and allow commuters to get the cost savings and convenience of public transit in areas with limited transit options. Vanpools are often the fastest and most cost‐effective mode of travel for commuters traveling more than 15‐20 miles to work.
The IRS allows vanpool commuters in minivans and full‐size vans (seven to 15 passengers) to use commuter transit benefits toward vanpool fares. Employers may offer a pre‐tax deduction or subsidy of up to $270 per month. Most regional vanpool providers accept SmartBenefits® as payment. For more information on setting up a vanpool program, see Commuter Benefits.
Employers may offer an additional, taxable incentive to employees who carpool and do not qualify for existing transit or vanpool benefits programs.
Carpool and vanpool commuters can earn cash incentives through the Commuter Connections ‘Pool Rewards program for each day they share the ride. New carpools and vanpools can earn up to $150 per month for choosing to share a ride to work.
Conduct a survey or use employee and student zip codes to identify teacher, staff, or students who live near each other and would be willing to share the ride to school. Commuter Connections’ Ridematching service can also help find matches outside of your school.
Encourage teachers and staff to share the ride by reserving prime parking spaces or offering discounted parking to those who carpool or vanpool.
Show off your commitment to ridesharing by prominently displaying helpful informational materials in your reception area and in teacher/student orientation packets. Request free Commuter Connections and vanpool provider brochures.
SchoolPool by Commuter Connections helps families within the same neighborhood connect with each other to form carpools, walking groups, or biking groups to and from school.
goDCgo Transportation All-Stars
The goDCgo Transportation All-Star program recognizes DC organizations for their commitment to sustainable transportation. Employers, hotels, schools, and residential properties that offer robust transportation benefit programs and/or amenities can earn recognition for their efforts. Help your organization stand out in your industry by gaining an All-Star designation.
The Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program provides commuters who regularly (twice a week) carpool/vanpool to work with a FREE reliable ride home, up to four times per year, for emergencies or unscheduled overtime. Maintain productivity, increase morale and continue the flow of business by encouraging participation in GRH. goDCgo can help you promote the program by providing customized marketing materials and hosting on‐site events to answer questions regarding the service. Contact us for more information.
Walking programs are a great way to energize and motivate your teachers, staff, and students while cutting down on employee insurance and health care costs. Help your teachers, staff, and students choose the healthiest, most sustainable mode of transportation there is—their own two feet! After all, the District has been designated a Gold‐level Walk‐Friendly Community. From supplemental commuter benefits to walking meetings and school‐wide walk challenges, there’s a lot your organization can do to encourage walking to or during school. Contact goDCgo for complimentary resources, information and services to build a custom walking program at your school.
Safe Routes to School is a District Department of Transportation (DDOT) program that works with DC schools to improve facilities for walking and biking for students and encourage more students and parents to walk and bike to school. To achieve this, Safe Routes to School offers school planning assistance, sidewalk construction, and bicycle education. Reach out to Safe Routes.
The District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) School Crossing Guard Program helps students safely cross hazardous intersections en route to school. If you’d like to improve your school’s safety, request a School Crossing Guard today!
Prominently display helpful, informational materials to encourage walking to or during school. Request free walking brochures and pedestrian safety guides for your lobby and new employee/student orientation packets.
Having a convenient place to shower and change clothes encourages employees to walk or run to the office. Schools can work with their building management to add or adapt existing facilities and policies to allow free access to showers and locker rooms for walkers.
Health and transportation fairs are the perfect opportunity to distribute information about walking initiatives, groups and meetups. Request goDCgo attendance for help answering questions at your event.
SchoolPool by Commuter Connections helps families within the same neighborhood connect with each other to form carpools, walking groups, or biking groups to and from school.
These national workplace and school walking programs offer ready‐made resources to help establish your school as a walk‐friendly organization.
Established by BlueCross BlueShield, WalkingWorks provides guidelines, resources and tips to help motivate employees to integrate walking into their everyday routine.
Every Body Walk focuses on working walking into all aspects of daily life. This site provides resources to promote walking at your workplace, including a walking pledge, helpful maps and health information.
Start! The American Heart Association’s workplace walking program helps companies encourage employees to walk by setting up walking routes and routines.
Held annually on the first Friday in April, National Walk to Work Day encourages participants to walk for all or part of their commute.
Organized by BlueCross BlueShield and held on the last Wednesday in April, National Walk at Lunch Day aims to establish new workplace walking routines, helping employees improve their health step‐by‐step.
Held annually on the first Wednesday in October, National Walk to School Day encourages students and teachers to walk for all or part of their commute.
The Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program provides commuters who regularly (twice a week) walk to work with a FREE reliable ride home, up to four times per year, for emergencies or unscheduled overtime. Maintain productivity, increase morale and continue the flow of business by encouraging participation in GRH. goDCgo can help you promote the program by providing customized marketing materials and hosting on‐site events to answer questions regarding the service. Contact us for more information.
Schools who provide free or subsidized parking may offer teachers and staff a taxable cash payment in lieu of a parking space. This flexible commuter benefit, often referred to as a parking cash‐out, encourages teachers and staff to use alternative commute modes and helps reduce a company’s parking costs. For charters and private schools, offering daily parking rates, as opposed to weekly or monthly passes, also allows teachers and staff flexibility to adjust their daily travel choices to work. Contact goDCgo for complimentary support establishing and administering parking management strategies at your office.
goDCgo Transportation All-Stars
The goDCgo Transportation All-Star program recognizes DC organizations for their commitment to sustainable transportation. Employers, hotels, schools, and residential properties that offer robust transportation benefit programs and/or amenities can earn recognition for their efforts. Help your organization stand out in your industry by gaining an All-Star designation.
The District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) School Crossing Guard Program helps students safely cross hazardous intersections en route to school. If you’d like to improve your school’s safety, request a School Crossing Guard today!
Safe Routes to School is a District Department of Transportation (DDOT) program that works with DC schools to improve facilities for walking and biking to encourage more students and parents to walk and bike to school. To achieve this, Safe Routes to School offers school planning assistance, sidewalk construction, and bicycle education.
Priscilla manages the goDCgo Transportation Demand Management (TDM) for schools program. She works with DC public, charter, and private school students and staff to shift travel behavior from driving alone. Our goal is to develop a long-lasting culture of walking, biking, taking transit, and sharing a ride to get to and from DC schools.
priscilla.ranjitkar@godcgo.com
School Outreach Coordinator
Plan your commute using goDCgo’s robust, interactive map that shows metropolitan DC’s complete transit network.
The DC Government provides a monthly subsidy to eligible DC Government employees, including some DCPS staff. Contact DCPS HR for more information.
Cut your commute costs by enrolling in pre-tax commuter benefits. Download the infographic to learn more. ENGLISH |SPANISH
Get FREE unlimited 30‐minute scooter trips when you qualify for the low‐income customer program. Must be 16yrs or older to ride.
Metro DC’s bikeshare system available for use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. DC government employees, including DCPS teachers, are eligible for a FREE membership.
Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) provides bike and commuting education to those that work or live in the District.
Create a profile in the regional ride‐matching database to find other carpoolers near you. Don’t forget to sign‐up for POOL rewards to receive cash for participating in a carpool.
Discover slugging, a unique form of casual carpooling. Find locations near you and request a slug pick‐up in this app.
DC government employees can enjoy all of the benefits of ZipCar at a fraction of the cost of a normal membership. Learn more.
Subscribe to goDCgo’s School Services newsletter to receive the latest news and resources.
The Kids Ride Free (KRF) program allows K‐12 students that live in DC to ride free on Metrobus, DC Circulator, and Metrorail within the District.
Information on the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s (OSSE) transportation program for students with disabilities.
Get FREE unlimited 30‐minute scooter trips when you qualify for the low‐income customer program. Must be 16 years or older to ride.
Metro DC’s bikeshare system available for use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. CaBi for all Low‐Income Program available for $5. Must be 16yrs or older old to ride.
SchoolPool by Commuter Connections
helps families within the same neighborhood connect with each other
to form carpools, walking groups, or biking groups to and from school.
New in 2021, this program provides dedicated shuttles to 25 elementary, middle, and high schools in the District. Learn more.
Use DME Safe Passage Map to view crossing guard and public transportation locations to plan the safest route to your school.
Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) provides educational biking classes and seminars to those that work, live, or go to school in the District.
Follow these rules and tips for scooting safety in the District.
Subscribe to goDCgo’s School Services newsletter to receive the latest news and resources.
We’ve put together all the essentials to help you succeed as an STC with our one-of-a-kind toolkit. This one-stop resource provides guidance on learning the role of an STC, promoting commuter programs, discovering how transportation programs can support your school’s sustainability goals, easing student commutes, and much more.
CARPOOL
Thinking about carpooling but not sure where to start? You’re in luck! With a rideshare database and guaranteed ride home, Commuter Connections can help make carpooling easy.
Do you drive your child to and from school every day? Are you tired of waiting in long lines for pickup/dropoff? Now that students have settled into the hustle and bustle of the new school year, it’s the perfect time to explore a new way to get your kids to school: Carpooling.
As an initiative of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), goDCgo's top priority is to encourage the use of sustainable transportation among DC commuters, residents, and visitors by providing complimentary resources and consulting services that help raise awareness and educate the public about the many ways to get around the city besides driving alone. Our goal serves to decrease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create a better quality of life for everyone in the DC area.
Now that students have recently returned to school, we want to make sure you know about all the ways they can get there -- for FREE! The Kids Ride Free (KRF) transit subsidy program allows students to ride the Metrobus, Metrorail, and DC Circulator to school and school-related events and activities within the District at NO COST. Have questions? goDCgo has the answers! Review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below for more information.
When students walk to school, they're setting good habits and a positive tone for the day. Although distance, weather, and infrastructure can make walking challenging for some, those that do live within walking distance (typically 1 mile or less) can reap some amazing benefits from getting their stride on each day. Here are five ways walking to school can benefit your children and family.
1. Improve Test Scores
Adding just 20 minutes of physical activity (approximately the time it takes to walk a mile) into a child's day can increase test scores. In a 2015 study, researchers found that after just 20 minutes of physical activity students tested better in reading, spelling, and math and were more likely to read above their grade level. By having your child walk to and from school you can help them perform better.
2. Fewer Sick Days
Walking just 30 minutes a day can boost your child's immune system and cut their risk of catching a cold in half. Walking to school could mean fewer sick days for your child and fewer missed work days for you.
3. Improve Mental Health
With mental health issues rising in children throughout the past decade, it's important to find small ways to combat these issues and improve mental health on a daily basis. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, children have been sheltered from their normal interactions with peers such as playing during recess and the overall social aspect of being in person. Walking can help to reduce the severity of mental health issues. Just an hour of physical activity a day can help reduce stress and reduce depression and anxiety.
4. Improve Sleep
Sleep is crucial for children and teens who are developing both mentally and physically, but unfortunately students, especially teenagers, can have issues with sleep and often don't get a good night's rest. Walking to school can help children and teens sleep more soundly and improve their sleep quality. Getting an adequate amount of sleep in turn can contribute to higher test scores, better moods and behavior, and improved mental and physical health.
5. It's Good For You, Too!
It's advised that children under ten are walked to school by a parent, trusted adult, or as a part of a walkpool (similar to carpools but walking instead of driving). By walking your child to school, you can reap the health benefits that walking brings as well. Walking just 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, depression, certain cancers, Alzheimer's and dementia, osteoporosis while improving fatigue, blood pressure, strength, and boosting endorphins and the immune system. Walking your child to school can make you healthier and happier!
Worried About Safety?
Safety can be a big concern for many parents when it comes to walking to school. Parents can ensure their child is safe by helping them understand and obey traffic signs and signals. Walking in groups and adopting a buddy system can also increase safety. Walkers should also avoid using electronics that could distract them during their route.
In addition, the District's Safe Routes to Schools program works year-round to advance safe walking and biking to and from schools and address problem areas. DC's Safe Passage initiative has also identified safe spot locations that are local stores and businesses known to welcome students who encounter safety issues on their way to and from school. Find safe spot locations along your route to school.
As an initiative of the District Department of Transportation, goDCgo plays an integral part in serving the needs of clients, commuters, and residents in our nation’s capital. For more than 10 years, we’ve been the leading resource for transportation information in Washington, DC, and are always here to support all your commuting needs. During these unprecedented times, there is nothing we care about more than the health and safety of our community. Each day, we’ve been learning more information around the coronavirus (COVID-19), and we want to continue ensuring you that we are taking the necessary actions to protect the health and safety of the audiences we serve.
Although teachers, staff, and students no longer will be returning to school this month, it's important for school administrators to plan and prepare for safe commuting when students do return. We've compiled a list of ways your school administration can prepare to support the commutes of your teachers, staff, and students.
Promote Commuting with Care
No matter what form of transportation your teachers, staff, or students use, encourage them to commute with care. That includes wearing a face covering/mask, using hand sanitizer, and staying 6 feet away from other passengers when possible.
goDCgo is here to help schools however we can! With face-covering/mask-wearing and social distancing protocols still in place, the options outlined below are great ways goDCgo can help you promote health, wellness, and safety in your school community.
Virtual Complimentary Consultations:
We’re still here to help you virtually! Meet with School Client Services Manager Barbara Moreno one-on-one via phone or video chat to discuss how goDCgo can help you support the health and wellness of your teachers and staff while preparing for reopening. Schedule your virtual consultation today!
Telework & Distance Learning Webinars:
Since many are spending so much time working and teaching from home, it's important that your teachers and staff’s workspaces are comfortable so they can feel their best and maintain productivity. The efficiency of one’s work environment, or ergonomics, plays a major role in how employees get work done. In other words, staff should fit their workspace to meet their needs. goDCgo can help teach your teachers and staff how to set up their workspace and stay healthy and happy while distance teaching. Reach out to goDCgo to schedule a webinar for your staff.
Capital Bikeshare Memberships:
Capital Bikeshare is a great benefit to offer that can be especially helpful to your teachers and staff as they commute and run errands while practicing safe social distancing. It's also a great way to stay healthy by adding exercise into your daily routine.
Private/Charter Schools: goDCgo can help you decide if offering a Capital Bikeshare membership as a part of your commuter benefits program is right for your school's reopening plans, and help you sign up for the Capital Bikeshare’s Corporate program.
DCPS: DCPS employees automatically receive a discount on Capital Bikeshare memberships; it's $25 a year for an annual membership. goDCgo can explain how to sign up your staff and get the word out to your employees as you prepare for reopening.
In 2019, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) conducted a district-wide school transportation survey to evaluate the state of school commutes in Washington, DC. In the survey, they found that students and families are more likely to choose sustainable transportation options than teachers and staff. Results show that only 33% of elementary students are driven to school, while another 33% of parents walk their youngest child to school, and 59% of students have used Kids Ride Free cards. On the other hand, 78% of the District's school staff drive to work alone, while only 2.2% ride a bike to school. The survey also revealed that 43% of school staff commute from Maryland and Virginia.
Get a transit display at your school! Transit displays are a great way to show off all mobility options near your school, at a glance, and in real-time. These options include the bus, Capital Bikeshare, carshare, and the Metrorail. By providing a digital display with real-time transportation arrival data in lobbies, main offices, and teacher break rooms, your students and staff can plan their sustainable commutes back home more easily and efficiently.
Many schools are hesitant to use their limited budgets on transit display software, but thanks to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), schools can install a live transportation feed for at no cost to you! All you have to do is provide the television screen or monitor and use Ride DC's portal to set-up a live feed. School administrators will have the ability to create a custom dashboard specific to their school's location.
May is National Bike Month so let's celebrate the many benefits of bicycling! Even though we're staying home, it's essential that we still engage in physical activity and biking is a great way to exercise and get some fresh air while practicing safe social distancing.* Physical benefits of cycling include weight loss, better lung health, improved balance, posture, and coordination, among many other pluses. Cycling can also improve your mental wellness. Being that May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, you should know that biking can boost your brain power, your self-esteem, and your mood, among much more.
