Why offer Commuter Bonus Plus to employees?

Commuter Bonus Plus is a way to provide a transportation benefit to employees who carpool, walk or bicycle to work. Employers purchase Commuter Bonus Plus vouchers through Metro and distribute them to eligible employees. Vouchers may also be used for telecommuters. Most companies require employees to use the alternative way to get to work for at least 50% of their commute trips and commute miles.

Employees use the vouchers toward the cost of items related to their alternative commute such as gasoline, automotive services, walking shoes, bicycle equipment, locker room facilities, or roadside service. Vouchers are redeemable at AAA, Brown Bear Car Wash, Flexcar, REI, Union 76 and the YMCA.

The Commuter Bonus Plus program is the only known voucher program of its kind in the country. Participation in the program has grown steadily since its introduction in 1995. Hundreds of Puget Sound area employers participate.

What are the benefits of Commuter Bonus Plus?

To Employers:

  • promotes the alternative commute mode best suited to the worksite
  • increases the number of employees interested in alternative commuting
  • offers an attractive employee recruitment and/or retention benefit
  • allows innovative company bonuses, incentives or company contest prizes
  • permits transportation benefits for commuters often not recognized in traditional transit subsidy programs

To Employees:

  • rewards commuters who bicycle, walk or carpool to work

How much does Commuter Bonus Plus cost?

Vouchers are available in any whole dollar denominations-$5 minimum-and are valid for 96 months from the date issued. Employers choose the denominations and quantity of vouchers to buy, and which commute modes to subsidize (walk, bicycle, carpool, telecommute). Refer to Metro's Tax Laws and Commute Related Expenses for more details about taxable benefits.


Get Commuter Bonus Plus!

Want to add Commuter Bonus Plus to your commute program?

Have more questions on details or pricing?

Contact your ETR!