Palo Alto transportation nonprofit says programs freed 482 parking spaces, boosted transit use

Justine Burt, executive director of the Palo Alto Transportation Management Association, told commissioners that the nonprofit's 2025 programs helped low‑wage service sector workers get to work without a car and produced measurable benefits for downtown parking and emissions. "Our work resulted in 482 parking spaces around town being freed up, 2,900,000 fewer vehicle miles traveled, and 1,152 fewer tons of greenhouse gas emissions," Burt said during her presentation.

Burt said PAPTMA is funded primarily from the city's parking permit fund, supplemented by general‑fund support, grants (she cited VTA and the Palo Alto Community Foundation) and membership fees from local businesses that enroll in the program. Key programs include distribution of Caltrain and VTA passes, refurbished bicycles (provided through a partnership with Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange), a pilot e‑scooter program and a $5‑a‑day incentive to encourage biking; Burt said the $5 daily incentive is capped at $600 a year because of IRS reporting thresholds.

Why it matters: Burt framed the programs as workforce support for lower‑wage employees who staff downtown restaurants and shops, and as a way to reduce local parking pressure. She described case studies — workers who saved commuting time or shifted away from driving — as core outreach tools for convincing managers to promote the programs to employees.

Commissioners asked follow‑up questions. Commissioner Barr requested data on Waymo use in Palo Alto and whether PAPTMA had cost comparisons with Uber or Lyft; Burt said, "I'll look into it, and I'll get back to you." Commissioners also asked how PAPTMA secures and replaces e‑scooters and whether safety training is provided; Burt said the pilot originally leased high‑end scooters but found it was cheaper to buy replacements and that the organization now requires a 10‑question bike‑safety quiz before issuing refurbished bikes.

Burt said PAPTMA will target outreach to workers who commute into Palo Alto from nearby cities (Mountain View, Redwood City, Fremont, San Jose and East Palo Alto) and will accept a portion of budget previously allocated to the Palo Alto Link program to extend passes and bikes to seniors and low‑income residents.

The presentation closed with Burt offering contact information and a request that commissioners share employer contacts to expand program reach. The commission did not take formal action on PAPTMA proposals during the meeting.