Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Inspector General: Transportation management districts suffer poor employer compliance and very low survey response rates
Summary
An Inspector General review found DOT did not enforce employer plan and survey requirements for transportation management districts; employer survey response rates were far below code targets and OIG recommended stronger enforcement and improved data collection ahead of related legislation.
The Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General told the Audit Committee that the county's Transportation Management District (TMD) program is hampered by weak enforcement and very low employer survey response rates, undermining the county's ability to evaluate whether the program reduces single‑occupancy vehicle trips.
Inspector General staff said the audit reviewed FY22–FY24 program data, noted TMD funding of roughly $1.8–1.9 million in one year and identified two findings and three recommendations. "We found a 4% response rate for those larger employers and a 27 response rate for those with less than 100 employees," Megan Lamarrzy said, contrasting those results with code targets of 40% and 50% respectively for employers above and below 100 employees.
Why it matters: program funding is intended to reduce single‑occupancy driving; without reliable employer plan submissions and survey data, elected officials and planners lack evidence to judge program effectiveness or justify continued investments.
OIG recommendations and evidence: OIG recommended that DOT implement a strategy to increase compliance—including stepped notifications, increased collection efforts and seeking penalties when warranted—improve data‑collection approaches and publish the biannual reports required by code so planners and decision makers can assess program value. The report noted that DOT had not been enforcing plan and survey submissions and that survey response rates have declined.
DOT response and next steps: DOT Director Joshua Conklin acknowledged outreach and community engagement work and said the commuter services team focuses largely on employer outreach rather than strict compliance. Conklin said DOT plans to begin enforcement activity in December unless the council or future code changes direct otherwise, and added that staff are investigating alternative and "big‑data" sources to supplement the survey methodology.
Council reaction and legislative context: Several council members raised concerns about implementing fines in December while a bill that could change TMD rules is pending before the Transportation & Environment committee. Members emphasized the distinction between code requirements and actual implementation, and several requested further review in committee before enforcement steps proceed.
What happens next: OIG recommendations remain open and in progress; DOT reported an update to OIG in September and a next update due in December. The Transportation & Environment Committee is scheduled to consider related legislation in October, and council members said they will discuss timing for any enforcement actions pending legislative decisions.
