For more information, contact Peg Anthony at (608) 266-6545 or panthony@cityofmadison.com.
What is the Metro Commute Card?
The Metro Commute Card is an annual unlimited ride pass similar to what is currently in place with larger Madison entities such as the University of Wisconsin, Edgewood College, Madison Area Technical College, City of Madison, Meriter Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital and UW Hospital. The Commute Card allows an organization to provide mass transit transportation costs to its employees, members, or students on an easily billable average fare rate.
Who can participate in the Metro Commute Card program?
Businesses, non-profit organizations, schools, colleges, and technical campuses can all participate.
What is the rate?
The rate is $1.15 per ride. Each time the Commute Card is swiped through a Metro Transit fare box, one ride is recorded at $1.15.
Can people request a transfer when using the Commute Card?
No. Metro’s policy is that transfers are only issued when using cash fare or 10-ride cards. Metro’s $1.15 rate takes into consideration all discounts in Metro’s fare system including transfers, 10-ride cards, and 31-day passes.
How can my organization fund/administer the program internally?
It is up to your organization as to how you’d like to implement the Commute Card. Your organization may choose to subsidize the cost for your participants, share the cost, or have each participant fund their transportation expenses. (Federal tax law allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for transit commuting costs through employer sponsored programs, also known as Commuter Choice).
What is Commuter Choice and what are the tax benefits?
Commuter Choice refers to Internal Revenue Code [(26 USC 132(f)] which permits employers to offer a tax-free benefit to commute to work by methods other than driving alone.
Federal law allows employees to receive up to $125 a month in employer-paid tax-free transit costs, or to take up to $125 a month in tax-sheltered payroll deductions for transit costs. Whether an organization subsidizes the transit cost, shares the cost, or offers the pre-tax payroll deduction, both employers and employees can save money by participating. Please contact your tax advisor for specific tax guidance.
What happens if a Metro Commute Card is lost or stolen?
Is there a replacement fee? Lost or stolen Commute Cards can be deactivated. Metro Transit will not charge a fee for a replacement.
How is the program invoiced?
Your organization will receive an invoice each month and you’ll forward one payment. Each Commute Card is tracked by a serial number and your invoice will show total rides/cost for each card.
How does my organization get started?
- Let your Metro representative know that you’d like to begin the program.
- Metro Transit will prepare a Commute Card agreement for a signature from an authorized agent of your organization.
- Your Metro representative will schedule a meeting to deliver your Commute Cards and answer any questions.
- Your organization will distribute the Commute Card to employees, members or students and will be responsible for tracking the Commute Cards with participants via the serial number on the card.
- Your organization will be invoiced on a monthly basis.
Will the cost of the Metro Commute Card go up year to year?
The 2012 is $1.15 per ride. (Fares are subject to change thereafter but Commute Card contractors who sign an agreement with an established rate will remain at that rate for the remainder of their contract).
Are there any other choices for our organization other than the Commute Card?
Businesses are more than welcome to utilize 10-ride cards and 31-day passes. These can be purchased online or at various Metro sales outlet. The Commute Card is the only annual pass available with monthly invoicing.
What happens if I need to get home quickly due to an emergency or something else unexpected?
The Guaranteed Ride Home service provides commuters who regularly vanpool, carpool, bicycle, walk, or take transit with a reliable ride home when one of life’s unexpected emergencies arises.
This is an OPTIONAL service provided through Rideshare, which is separate from Metro Transit. You’ll need to register for this service directly with Rideshare.
What are the benefits of the Metro Commute Card Program?
- Attractive benefit for employees
- Tax savings
- Promotes greener living
- Alleviates on-site parking issues
- Reduces employee commuting costs
For more information about the Metro Commute Card contact:
Peg Anthony
608-266-6545
Email: panthony@cityofmadison.com
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Due to the cancellation of the full marathon, detours due to the Madison Marathon event have been updated for Sunday, May 27. Read more.
