Commuter Choice Is a Win-Win Situation

It's good for business and the environment!

It's called Commuter Choice because it gives employees an attractive incentive to driving to work alone and choose transit or vanpools. Commuter Choice refers to the Internal Revenue Code [(26 USC 132(f)] which permits employers to offer employees a tax-free benefit to commute to work by bus or vanpool. Employers select which one of the program options to implement.

Employers know that driving to work alone contributes to more traffic, air pollution, energy consumption, and lost time for employees. Traffic congestion can lead to lost productivity, road rage, unnecessary stress, waste of energy resources, and unhealthy air quality for everyone.

Benefits of Commuter Choice:

• Tax Savings. Lower FICA and Federal income tax costs and reduced payroll taxes for participating employers. Employees save on federal income and payroll taxes.
• Competitive Edge. Low-cost employee morale boost and excellent recruiting and retention tool.
• Corporate Stewardship. Help reduce the number of drive alone cars on the road by promoting smart transportation choices.

RideFinders was recognized by the EPA in Washington D.C. as a Commuter Choice Initiative Champion in 2002.

Commuter Choice Offers a Program for Every Budget.

Offer your employees a smarter way to get to work with the Commuter Choice Program.

Employer-Paid Benefit
The employer picks up the entire cost of the employee's public transit or vanpool commute trip up to the current maximum allowed. This represents a business expense for the employer and a tax-free benefit to the employee.

Employee-Paid Pre-Tax Benefit
Employees exchange part of their gross income for employer-provided transit passes or vanpool vouchers. The employees fund the benefit with pre-tax dollars and the employer saves on federal payroll and income taxes. This special commuter pre-tax benefit is exempt from the restrictions common to cafeteria plans and flexible-spending accounts. It can be started at any time of the year.

Share-the-Fare Benefit
This benefit is a combination of Options 1 & 2. The employer purchases the passes/vouchers using the contributions from employer funds and employees' pretax income.

How Do I Get Started?

Contact RideFinders at 804- 643-7433 or click here to contact us online. RideFinders is prepared to assist you in setting up the Commuter Choice Program that is just right for you and your employees.

Participating Commuter Choice Organizations

Join Them Today! Contact RideFinders for more information!