ACCS History

Arlington’s Department of Public Works began receiving State sponsored Ridesharing grants in 1986 and provided some limited rideshare matching services until June, 1989 when the Ballston Transit Store opened.

1989: Ballston Transit Store Developed. Opened in June, 1989, the store was the brainchild of a number of groups spearheaded by the local business community through the Ballston Partnership. Arlington County, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and private consultants were also brought on board for the project. With funding received from a federal grant, the store was opened in donated retail space in an office building near the Ballston Metrorail Station. The store sold tokens and passes for Metrorail and Metrobus, stocked local Metrobus schedules and provided Council of Government’s Ridefinders ridematching services. About a year-and-a-half later, the store moved to the Ballston Common Mall where they shared space with Mall staff at the Mall’s Information Desk.

1990: BATA Incorporates. As an outgrowth of the Ballston Partnership’s Transportation Committee, a transportation management association (TMA) was born in 1990 called the Ballston Area Transportation Association (BATA). BATA staff were responsible for operating the Ballston Transit Store as well as providing staff support to the Board and a limited amount of TMA outreach activities.

1990: CAP Created. In 1990, the Arlington Department of Public Works, formally instituted a “Commuter Assistance Program” (CAP), which had responsibility for coordinating and directing TDM/rideshare/transit promotional activities in the County. The CAP provided the bulk of BATA’s funding through a contract to provide transit store, outreach and other TDM services.

1992: Crystal City Commuter Center Opens. In May 1992, the CAP opened its second store, the Crystal City Commuter Center in the Crystal City Underground Mall with a 532 square foot retail location very close to the Virginia Railway Express Station. A private consultant was contracted by CAP to operate the Center. The Commuter Center expanded upon the Ballston Transit Store concept by providing the fare media for every transit provider in the region and provided some extra services for VRE, who in turn contributed to the Center.

1993: Ballston Store Moves To Retail Space. In May, 1993 the Ballston Transit Store moved from the Mall’s Information Desk into its own 416 square foot store-front retail space in the Mall. This moved provided the store with expanded space to display more information, sell more types of fares and begin selling retail merchandise, such as hats and T-shirts.

1993: BATA Expands To Rosslyn. In the summer of 1993, BATA expanded up the Orange Line Corridor to Rosslyn and included the areas in-between (Virginia Square, Clarendon and Court House) in the expanded TMA service area. Their name was changed to the Ballston-Rosslyn Area Transportation Association, although keeping the acronym BATA.

1994: Rosslyn Transit Store Opens. Using a FY94 State TEIF grant, CAP opened its third Store in Rosslyn in the Rosslyn Center Mall on December 6, 1994. At 744 square feet of retail space on the Mall’s second level, CAP expanded upon the information included at the other stores to include new Ride Finders, bicycling, and telecommuting information and Chesapeake Bay Foundation sponsored displays about how sharing the ride helps the environment.

1995: Formal Employer Services Program Started. Studies indicating that employer support for commute options is crucial in switching employees from an SOV to an HOV mode led to this effort. Previous to this program, employer services and community outreach activities were carried out by transit store and commuter center staff and volunteers of the BATA Board of Directors on an ad-hoc basis. Using a FY95 TEIF grant CAP was able to provide funding to BATA to hire a full-time professional to market and implement employer based transportation programs to employers.

1995: JDC TMA Developed. As part of the FY95 TEIF grant, CAP hired a consultant to incorporate a formal non-profit TMA in the Jefferson Davis Corridor, serving the Pentagon, Pentagon City, Crystal City and National Airport. The newly formed TMA was charged with coordinating TDM activities in the JD Corridor in the same way BATA worked in the R-B Corridor. The TMA opened for business in the spring of 1995.

1995: Telecommuting Training Program Developed. As part of the FY95 TEIF grant, BATA was provided funding for a telecommuting pilot project that developed a Telecommuting Program and Training Manual and curriculum (workshops) for teaching company managers and new practitioners about telecommuting. The program has become a regular part of BATA’s services to employers.

1996: New Resources Provided For BATA and JDC TMA To Expand Employer Effort. As part of a FY96 TEIF grant, CAP provided funding to the TMAs to hire an administrative assistance and promotions coordinator. The additional staff was crucial in providing the two (one at each TMA) Employer Services Managers to devote more time to working with employers.

1996: Arlington Ozone Action Days Program Developed. During the summer of 1996 CAP launched an Arlington Ozone Action Days campaign to make it easy for local employers to participate in COG ENDZONE’s regional Ozone Action Days program. Using the slogan “Smart Commuting is Less Polluting” CAP customized ENDZONE’s materials for a local audience and provided them to major Arlington employers. The success of the program (25 employers participated in the first year) has led to the program becoming a permanent part of the BATA and JDC TMA Employer Services program.

1996: TMAs Move Into Joint Office Space. In November, 1996 BATA and JDC TMA moved into a new joint home at International Place in Rosslyn. The 850 square foot, first floor suite is provided to CAP rent and utility free for 10 years as part of a site-plan agreement. Previously TMA staff were working out the back of the stores or at home. This move also allowed the TMAs to share administrative staff.

1996: Metrochek Match Program Initiated. In the winter of 1996, CAP, through BATA and JDC TMA, began offering employers in Arlington money to start a Metrochek program. Metrochek is the region’s transit benefit medium (good for all transit providers and vanpool) and allows a firm to provide up to $105 in tax free benefits per month. CAP matches an employer up to 50% of the cost for up to one year, if they participate.

1997: CAP Strategic Plan Adopted. At the beginning of 1997, CAP adopted a 5-Year Strategic Plan that had been almost two years in the making. Highlights of the plan included continuing using retail outlets to provide information and services, working with employers through the TMAs, establishing a residential based information program (which became the TRDI or Arlington Metrobus marketing campaign), recommendations for implementing a web site and kiosks, and developing an ongoing monitoring program to track CAP progress. The plan is revisited at the beginning of each fiscal year, revised as needed, and adopted by CAP and its contractors as a guidance for the year and beyond.

1997: CAP Logo Unveiled. In January, 1997 CAP unveiled a new, simple graphic logo that would be used as an identifier on its programs and services. The new logo would later be incorporated into the stores and web site logos.

1997: CommuterPage.com® World Wide Web Internet Site Launched. On March 7, 1997 the CAP began providing its information and services 7-days-per-week, 24-hours-per-day via a world wide web Internet site called CommuterPage.com® at www.CommuterPage.com®. In its first year of operation the site received two national awards, acclaim in the local press and is serving thousands of customers a month. Original artwork on 10-year anniversary page.

1997: The Commuter Store Name Change For CAP’s Retail Outlets. To assist in marketing and aid in consumer recognition, in May, 1997 CAP’s three retail outlets (Ballston Transit Store, Crystal City Commuter Center, and Rosslyn Transit Store) were renamed The Commuter Store at each location. A new logo was developed and new signage provided at each store.

1997: Change In Store Operators. On June 30, 1997 BATA, which had previously operated the Ballston and Rosslyn Transit Stores under contract to the CAP, decided to concentrate on TMA matters and give up the complicated business of running two retail operations. Beginning on July 1, 1997 CAP contracted with a private firm to operate the stores.

1997: Advertising Firm Hired By CAP. Using new grant funds, in the fall of 1997, CAP began using the services of a contracted ad agency to market its three stores, two TMAs, web site and other programs as a unified effort. This was a departure from the past whereby the stores and TMAs were responsible for their own marketing. The firm hired also provides CAP’s “Arlington Metrobus” marketing program.

1997: Commuter Kiosk Unveiled. In November, 1997 BATA spearheaded a regional COG Commuter Connections kiosk effort by unveiling the pilot kiosk in the Ballston Common Mall. BATA had received State grant funding through COG and had been working on the project for a number of years. Much of the information on the kiosk was garnered from The Commuter Page and other web sites. BATA plans on placing another kiosk in the Pentagon City Fashion Centre Mall in 1998 and COG plans on placing nine other similar kiosks in Northern Virginia and Washington DC. COG will be responsible for maintaining BATA’s two kiosks as part of the regional kiosk program

1998: “Arlington Metrobus” Marketing Campaign Launched. Using FY97 and FY98 TEIF grant funds, CAP contracted with an advertising agency to develop a Transit Ridership Development Initiative (TRDI) to supplement WMATA’s regional Metrobus marketing with a grass roots campaign aimed at providing residents on targeted bus lines with an improved information system to make the bus system easier to understand. On January 14, 1998 CAP launched its “Arlington Metrobus” marketing campaign by providing over 80,000 households (through a Washington Post insert and direct mail) in the Columbia Pike and South Arlington areas with new full-color, user-friendly maps and timetables for the #16 Columbia Pike and #7 Shirley Highway Metrobus Lines. Free ride coupons were provided to the households and bus stop ride-guide information in the new format was also placed at stops along the #16 and #7 Lines.

1998: Ballston Store Moves Into New and Improved Space. In February of 1998 the Ballston Common Mall asked The Commuter Store to relocate from its first floor location to a permanent, free and larger space on the second floor as a result of some Mall construction and tenant restructuring. In June of 1998 The Commuter Store moved to its new and improved space. The new space was designed and constructed with a new concept of commuter retailing in mind that eventually will be duplicated to CAP’s other two stores. The new store features warm lighting, natural woods and tiles and a coordinated/stimulating signage system that reduces visual clutter while focusing the consumer on distinct commuter choices. In the words of CAP’s advertising agency, which designed the new space, The Commuter Store goes from looking like a Kinkos to a Starbucks thereby providing more likelihood a potential customer will spend some time in the store to learn about transportation alternatives.

1998: Change In Employer Services Contractors – Arlington Transportation Partners is Born. On July 1, 1998 beginning with the new fiscal year, CAP hired a private firm as its new Employer Services contractor. The new firm operates as part of the Commuter Assistance Program team under the moniker Arlington Transportation Partners. Arlington Transportation Partners took over the Employer Services functions previously provided by BATA and JDC TMA under contracts that ended June 30, 1998. Both the BATA and JDC TMA Boards dissolved at the end of FY98. Arlington Transportation Partners took over the office space previously occupied by BATA and JDC TMA and kept some staff.

1999: CAP Volunteer Honored By County. BATA Chair Karen Phaup was instrumental in the creation of CAP’s Commuter Stores and Employer Services Programs and was recognized by the County Board for her efforts over the past decade. Each year the County holds a volunteer recognition reception as a small way to express its appreciation for their time, talent, and energy, and selects for special recognition 10 Outstanding Volunteers. Ms. Phaup was the first such volunteer honored for work in the transportation field. Read more.

1999: Arlington Metrobus Goes County-Wide. Following on the successful launch of Arlington Metrobus on the 16 and 7 Lines, CAP launched a county-wide promotion of Metrobus sending more than 100,000 Ride Guide Inserts to every Arlington Household via the Washington Post Plus program. Persons with home delivery of the Washington Post received the Inserts in their home delivered copy of the Washington Post and non-subscribers received the Insert via direct mail. A companion cable TV advertising campaign prompted people to look in the Post or mail for their copy. The Ride Guide Insert featured a County-wide Metrobus map, information on how to ride and free ride coupons to try the bus. Persons using the coupon were entered into a sweepstakes contest.

1999: New Improved CommuterDirect.com. In September, 1999 a new and improved version of CommuterDirect.com was introduced to the public. The new Commuter Direct™ included an updated, color-coded, user-friendly design, more functions and new navigation tools making ticket and pass ordering easier, more convenient and secure. Persons familiar with the big online retail merchants will find the new Commuter Direct.com payment, shipping and personal accounting works very similarly.

1999: ATP Introduces Quarterly Solutions Newsletter. In October, 1999 Arlington Transportation Partners introduced the quarterly Solutions newsletter. The newsletter was aimed at assisting Commuter Benefits Administrators maintain and enhance their programs. Solutions is mailed to nearly 300 companies as part of a quarterly mailing that includes other timely materials of interest.

1999: CAP Receives Ozone Action Days Award. CAP’s special efforts to promote the regional Ozone Action Days program were rewarded at the annual meeting for Clean Air Partners, held November 8, 1999. CAP’s efforts included promotion of Ozone Actions Days to numerous Arlington employers, including a special mailing with materials, sign up sheets, posters and promotional items. CAP’s web page posted Ozone Alerts and information was provided via The Commuter Stores.

1999: CommuterPage.com/CommuterDirect.com Receive VTA Innovative Program Award. Each year the Virginia Transit Association presents one Innovative Program Award that “gives recognition to significant, innovative activities that improves the honoree’s organization, management and services.” In 1999 CommuterPage.com® was selected for the breadth and depth of information as the stop of choice for DC area commuters, as its the only site with access to all the information and services a local commuter may need. CommuterDirect.com™ was recognized as a national model in online transit ticket and pass sales ($500,000 in sales this past fiscal year) that provides customer conveniences and functions like larger commercial e-commerce sites. Together, the sites are honored for continuing to excel in customer service innovations and offering efficiency and savings in backend operations.

1999: CAP Organizes Arlington’s 20th Anniversary of the Orange Line Celebration. On December 1, 1999 Arlington celebrated 20 years of Smart Growth with the Orange Line which opened December 1, 1979. Arlington’s Commuter Assistance Program took the lead in organizing a huge celebration that included providing free oranges to morning commuters at the five Orange Line Stations in Arlington. More information and photos.

2000: Wider Is Better – CommuterPage.com® Introduces New “News” Format. On the third anniversary of its launch CommuterPage.com® introduced a new upgraded and redesigned news portal format, similar to major newspaper sites. Specifically, the site’s new Commuter News interface brings together topical transportation news gathered from other sources and combines them with the practical day-to-day commuting information already featured on the site. The news is updated daily on the site’s main top page and each of the top pages of the various topical areas (Metro, Carpool, Traffic, etc.) and provides commuters with the absolute latest up-to-date information.

2000: Commuter Stores Sales Set Record. Largely assisted by the federal government’s newly mandated participation in Metrocheck, sales as the Commuter Stores and on CommuterDirect.com™ skyrocketed for the month of October. CommuterDirect alone sold over $500,00 in transit tickets, tokens and passes, marking the first time sales went over the half million dollar mark in any single month. Individually, stores in Ballston, Rosslyn and Crystal City also set monthly records. At this rate, CAP should sell a record of more than $5.4 million dollars for the fiscal year.

2001: CAP Receives “E-Governments” Award. In 2001 CAP was one of ten agencies or jurisdictions to receive the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) first annual “E-Governments” honor award. The award recognizes programs that succeed in delivering government services through information technology.

2001: Continued CAP Growth Assisted by Transportation Grants. On January 27, 2001 the Arlington County Board appropriated $2.1 million in state and federal transportation grants for CAP’s 2001 fiscal year. The funding is to be used for CAP’s wide array of services and operations including The Commuter Stores, CommuterPage.com®, CommuterDirect.com™, Arlington Transportation Partners and Arlington Metrobus promotional efforts. The record amount grant is a direct result of CAP’s award-winning success in implementing and growing commuter services.

2001: Bike To Work Day. A regional celebration complemented by pit stop rallies throughout the metropolitan area, Bike to Work Day 2001 was a great success. The annual event, organized by the Washington Area Bicycle Association,, encourages area residents to ride one of our cleanest and cheapest transportation modes to their jobs. The Arlington Transportation Partners hosted the Arlington Gateway Park pit stop in Rosslyn for the May 4th event, offering breakfast refreshments, bike safety / registration information and entertainment.

2001: Arlington Commuter Guides Widely Distributed. To assist residents and employees in Arlington with their commuting choices CAP distributed over 180,000 “Commuter Guides” to 75,000 area workers and 105,000 households in June 2001. The guides highlight Arlington County’s commuter-friendly environment with information on using buses, rail and telecommuting. The insert was delivered through Washington Post household subscriptions and distribution to building managers. Included in the guide were Arlington transit maps and coupons for free ridership.

2001: Commuter Choice CD ROM Launched. On July 18, 2001 a new CD-ROM entitled “Commuter Choice: Where Commuting Means Business” was launched for distribution by the Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP). The CD seeks to help employers better understand the advantages of commuter assistance programs. Most importantly, it explains through interactive media how to set up the often administrative-intensive programs so that they can begin assisting their own employees with the cost of commuting while reducing their own taxes. The disc was developed over two years and funded by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and Arlington County.

2001: CommuterDirect.com Corporate Services Introduced. In co-operation with Arlington Transportation Partners, CAP’s CommuterDirect.com has begun offering online enrollment and account management of commuter benefits for area employers. For a small delivery fee, CommuterDirect will send the exact fares, tickets and passes that a company’s employees need, all from one source. By providing spreadsheet data through a secure server, participating companies have instant access to financial reports for all of its employees, making commuter management a snap.

2001: ATP and CAP Subsidize New Carsharing Service for Employers. With the arrival of private carsharing companies Zipcar™ and Flexcar™, the Commuter Assistance Program has decided to encourage employer enrollment by offering a $500 subsidy per company for introductory membership and application fees. Carsharing, a unique cross between rental car and taxicab services, is seen as a new and viable commuting option for Arlington employees and residents.

2002: CAP Program cited by City and County magazine.