Why offer Commuter Bonus to employees?
The Commuter Bonus program provides a non-taxable transportation subsidy for employees who commute by bus, vanpool, or ferry. Employees use the vouchers toward the purchase of transit or ferry passes or ticket books at one of over 200 customer service or retail pass sales outlets in the Puget Sound. Vouchers can also be used to pay for vanpool fares and by commuters in Island, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston counties.
Participation in the Commuter Bonus programs has grown steadily since its introduction in 1995. Hundreds of Puget Sound area employers participate. A comprehensive program analysis showed that the Commuter Bonus program was "primarily responsible" for encouraging a significant number of commuters to shift from driving alone to work to commuting by bus or vanpool instead.
What are the benefits of Commuter Bonus?
To Employers:
- easy program administration
- a tax-deductible business expense
- "one-stop shopping" to subsidize transit fares for all Puget Sound transit agencies
- equitable transportation benefits for all employees
- eliminates pass purchase reimbursement
- guarantees that money spent will directly support alternative commute modes
- offers an attractive benefit to recruit and/or retain employees
- offers ability to buy a years' supply for monthly distribution
- allows innovative company incentives or contest prizes
- incentive for all employees who use bus and/or vanpool less frequently
To Employees:
- reduces commuting cost for transit, vanpool and ferry fares
- offers a tax-free benefit (if bonus value is under $105 per month)
- supports cross-county, multi-mode commutes
- flexibility to purchase passes or ticket books based level of use
- can be used toward vanpool fare
How does Commuter Bonus help employers meet CTR goals?
Commuter Bonus encourages the use of transit, vanpool and ferry commuting. Employees may leave their cars at home more often, reducing the number of single-occupancy vehicles (SOV) traveling to the worksite daily.
How much does Commuter Bonus cost?
Vouchers are available in any whole dollar denominations--$5 minimum--and are valid for 96 months for the date issue. Employers choose the denominations and quantity of vouchers to buy. There is no limit as to the number of vouchers that can be ordered at one time. Vouchers can be ordered through Metro by mail along with a check for payment. Vouchers cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
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