Commuter Benefits Program

SCOE participates in the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program. This is an initiative designed to reward employees who help reduce air pollution and traffic congestion by decreasing single-occupant commute trips. The program provides financial incentives for employees who help reduce air pollution and traffic congestion by carpooling or bicycling to work.

Thank you for taking part in this program. By choosing to carpool, use public transit or trains, and bike to work, you’re helping ease traffic congestion and make a positive impact on the environment.

Who can participate?

All SCOE employees are eligible for this voluntary program.

What are the financial incentives?

Employees who commute by carpool, public transit, or train are currently eligible to receive a $3 daily incentive for each day they use these methods.  Effective July 1, 2025, this $3 daily incentive will also apply to employees who bike to work.  

How do I sign up?

To participate, employees should follow these steps.

• Register on the SCOE Commute Reward, which is part of the 511 system. Look for the Register To Join button to create your profile and password..
• Your Sonoma Commute Rewards account will provide a Trip Diary for recording your commuting trips. Log into your account to record your trips in the Trip Diary no later than the last working day of the month. It is recommended that you record your trips weekly. You must complete your monthly Trip Diary to receive the incentives paid by SCOE.

How do I receive my commute reward?

At the end of each month, SCOE will verify the information in your Trip Diary and issue a supplemental paycheck for the reward amount you are due. Note that it may take up to 60 days for your reward to be processed. The supplemental paycheck that includes your commute reward will be taxed. Please check with your tax advisor for any potential tax benefit for these commuter subsidies.