MASS TRANSIT SUBSIDY
Sections
2.10.05 Participation Requirements
2.10.01
PURPOSE
This subchapter states NIST policy for compliance with Executive Order
13150 with respect to transportation subsidies for mass transit commuters.
2.10.02
SCOPE
The provisions of this subchapter apply to employees at NIST-Gaithersburg.
At NIST-Boulder, employees can obtain guidance about participating in the
program by accessing the web site
http://tac.bldrdoc.gov/ecopass.html.
2.10.03
POLICY
It is NIST policy to comply with the provisions of Executive Order
13150 and all Amendments in regard to mass transit subsidies.
2.10.04
RESPONSIBILITIES
a. The Facilities Services Division is responsible for program development,
recordkeeping, distribution, and maintenance under the provisions of Executive
Order 13150, Title 26, U.S.C., Section 132(f); Energy Policy Act of 1992;
Federal Employees Clean Air Incentives Act of 1993; Transportation Equity
Act for the 21st Century (1998); OMB Circular A-11, Transmittal Memorandum
#73, dated July 19, 2000, Part 1 - Preparation and Submission of Budget
Estimates, Part 2 - Preparation and Submission of Strategic Plans and Annual
Performance Plans and Annual Program Performance Reports, Part 3 - Planning,
Budgeting, and Acquisition of Capital Assets Supplement to Part 3, Capital
Programming Guide; OPM Decision Letter S001842 dated August 11, 1998; and
IRS Notice of Proposed Rule making January 27, 2000. Responsibilities include:
(1) Form NIST-1295, Federal Workforce Transportation Application, participation request application and approval authority;
(2) Maintenance of a recordkeeping database;
(3) Purchase and distribution of fare media;
(4) Billing to participating Operating Units;
(5) Reporting as required by the Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, and other government entities;
(6) Arrangements for investigation of alleged misuse, abuse or fraud, and initiation of appropriate corrective action; and
(7) Guidance and assistance to program participants.
b. Participating employees are responsibile for:
(1) Filing Form NIST-1295, Federal Workforce Transportation Application, for participation;
(2) Pickup of approved subsidy not later than the fifth workday of each participating month. Workdays are defined as Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Participants are required to produce a valid Form NIST-458, NIST ID Card/Pass, prior to receipt of subsidy benefits;
(3) Immediately reporting to the program administrator any change in mode of transportation, residence, commuting cost, or employment status which renders participant ineligible;
(4) Immediately reporting any absences from work which result in a reduction in commuting cost where the subsidy issued for the month exceeds the participant's actual expenses for the month;
(5) Fare media upon receipt. Lost, stolen, or misplaced transit benefits are not replaced;
(6) Any exchange of fare media that is necessary; and
(7) Ensuring that subsidy is used only for commuting to and/or from work by participant to which it was issued.
c. Senior Management Advisors (SMAs) are responsible for providing,
upon request, cost center and authorization for payment to the Facilities
Services Division for participants in their Operating Unit.
2.10.05
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
For the purpose of this subchapter, a NIST employee is defined as an
individual who is: (1) employed by NIST; and (2) paid through the National
Finance Center (NFC).
a. Participants must be NIST employees with a valid NIST Identification Card and Building Pass (Form NIST-458, NIST ID Card/Pass).
b. Participants must use approved public transportation at least three days per week in lieu of a single occupancy vehicle (SOV) to commute between work and home. Approved public transportation includes:
RAIL - Metrorail
BUS - Metrobus, Eyre Bus Service, Fairfax Connector, DASH, OMNI Ride,
and Montgomery County Division of Transit Services
TRAIN
MARC
OTHER -Vanpool (Commuter Highway Vehicle) defined as having a seating
capacity of six plus a driver, the number of occupants being transported
must be at least 50 percent of the seating capacity excluding the driver,
and 80 percent of vehicle mileage must be accumulated between the residence
and the work station.
2.10.06
BENEFIT DESCRIPTION
a. Approved participants receive a subsidy in the form of a MetroChek
pass which will be approximately equal to but not exceeding the employee's
commuting cost excluding parking fees not to exceed $100.00 per month (Executive
Order 13150). Approximately equal to is defined as to the nearest $1.00.
b. MetroCheks will be available in denominations of $1.00, $5.00, $10.00, $15.00, $20.00, $21.00, and $30.00.
c. MetroCheks may be used as received on the Metrorail system (just
like a farecard); however, MetroCheks will need to be exchanged for acceptable
media with other mass transit providers. For a complete list of mass transit
service providers who accept/exchange MetroCheks, access http://www.wmata.com/bus2bus/smartbenefits/index.html