Programs in Pennsylvania
TransitChek
TransitChek® is an employer-offered commuter benefit program. It saves employers and commuters money by taking advantage of federal legislation (Section 132f of IRS code) that allows tax-free dollars to pay for transit fares. Using TransitChek, commuters can save more than $900 a year in federal income taxes. And employers benefit by cutting payroll taxes, boosting their benefits package, increasing employee morale and helping to improve air quality and congestion in the region.
TransitChek vouchers can be redeemed to purchase fare materials on all regional public transit and vanpool providers, including SEPTA, PATCO, NJ Transit, DART-First State, Amtrak (monthly commuter tickets only), Capital Area Transit (Harrisburg), Red Rose Transit Authority, rabbittransit, COLT, BARTA, and VPSI Commuter Vanpools. Vouchers are available in $15, $20, $30, $35, $60, and $65 denominations and can be combined to reach the IRS maximum of $230 per month.
Employees/commuters must receive the vouchers through their employer, either as a benefit (in addition to compensation) or through a pre-tax payroll deduction (as stipulated in TEA-21 legislation) or employer and employees can share the cost of TransitChek. Staff are available to meet with employers about implementation or to speak to employees about how to use their vouchers.
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission administers the TransitChek program for the major transit agencies and state departments of transportation in the greater-Philadelphia (tri-state) metropolitan region.
Find more information on the TransitChek website.
Job Perks
Job Perks is a pre-tax commuter benefit program provided by the Port Authority of Allegheny County. Offered via employers, employees can use the benefit to purchase and receive Port Authority monthly passes at work through payroll deduction. Passes are valid on all Port Authority transit buses, the "T," and the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines. A minimum participation level of 10 employees is required.
Passes are provided to the employer by certified mail at least one week prior to the preceding month. Monthly passes cost as follows: $80 for Zone 1; $105 for Zone 2. A GO Pass, a combination of a Zone 2 pass and a South Hills Village Parking Garage pass, is available for $127. Customers can also choose the Annual Pass program, which is not pre-tax, and pay for 11 months and receive one month free. A Zone 1 annual pass is $880 and a Zone 2 annual pass is $1,155.