Commuter Benefits Program Automates University’s Transit System, Boosts Participation

SAN MATEO, CA – February 20, 2008 – WageWorks today announced that UC Berkeley, the oldest of the University of California campuses and the flagship of California's public university system, implemented WageWorks’ Commuter Benefits program to revitalize the University’s Parking & Transportation unit and help more than 6,000 UC Berkeley faculty and staff save money and time on commuting costs and paper work.

UC Berkeley offers comprehensive parking and transit services to its entire campus. The University manages more than 7,000 parking spaces across its facilities, and it ensures that employees can easily access the campus via the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) commuter train system and other transit agencies.

“Ensuring a smooth and consistent transportation system is critical to the campus’ ability to function effectively,” said says Noel Pinto, Director of Parking & Transportation, UC Berkeley. “The University was spending $100,000 per month to invest and resell thousands of BART tickets for participants as well as manage the inventory.”

WageWorks’ Commuter Benefits enabled the University’s Parking & Transportation unit to save a significant amount of time and investment by taking on the management, distribution and reimbursement tasks related to its public transit program. The new system also decreased internal bureaucracy, participant call volume, and troubleshooting inquiries.

“The strength of UC Berkeley’s WageWorks deployment is a testament to our world class commuter platform,” said Joe Jackson, CEO, WageWorks. “Our philosophy is to do what it takes to ensure we reach the highest customer and participant satisfaction levels. We consider ourselves true partners in UC Berkeley’s success and look forward to working with the University as its participant base grows and requirements evolve over time.”

In addition to delivering flexibility, account service and implementation expertise, WageWorks allowed the University to easily manage its pre-tax parking program, encompassing campus-based parking lots and off-campus lots, which means the University can extend pre-tax benefits to staff who buy permits for both.

“WageWorks ability to go beyond pre-tax benefits and direct facility parking support made a significant difference in selecting the company,” said Pinto. “We also love the fact that WageWorks supports AC Transit, Amtrak, and a wide variety of transit systems across the Bay Area. These were elements that competitors did not have in their programs.”

Prior to implementing WageWorks’ Benefits Commuter program, the University staff had to use manual, paper-based renewal processes, and then transfer that information to payroll staff. Further, the payroll staff had to manually implement the deductions.

WageWorks technology infrastructure and Web site provide participants self-service, Web-based and telephone account access and free home delivery of commuter passes. The online platform eliminates paperwork and office visits by allowing UC Berkeley participants to activate or suspend their accounts through the WageWorks platform. It also grants easy access to funds via electronic, direct-to-provider parking payment.

The new commuter program enabled UC Berkeley to redirect staff to other services instead of renewals and reimbursements, which helped reduce call volume relating to missing tickets, ineffective accounts and general inquiries.

About WageWorks
Founded in 2000, WageWorks helps employers support consumer directed pre-tax benefit programs, including health care (FSA, HSA, HRA), wellness programs, child and elder care, commuting services, education benefits, and employee sponsored programs, such as gym reimbursement. Wage Works also offers retiree health care and COBRA Services. More than 100 of America's Fortune 500 employers and millions of their benefits-eligible employees use WageWorks' programs. As the cost of living continues to rise and more health care costs are pushed to employees, WageWorks seeks to eliminate barriers to benefit participation so working families can save money and improve their overall well-being.

WageWorks provides easy-to-use benefits programs that help save time, and educational tools and resources to increase employees' knowledge and understanding of their family's health care and financial needs.

WageWorks is headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with offices in New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Tempe, Ariz., Mequon, WI., and Troy, MI. For more information, please visit www.wageworks.com.