Benefit Overview

Commuter Choice refers to provisions in the Internal Revenue Code [(26USC 132(f)] that permit employers to offer tax-free benefits to employees who commute to work by methods other than driving alone.

This benefit can be realized by an employer providing the following Metro Ride fare options to its employees:

• Adult Bus Pass - $42 per month - good for unlimited rides during the calendar month.
• Senior/Disabled Bus Pass - $21 per month - good for unlimited rides during the calendar month.
• Bus Tokens - 10 token for $11 - good for 10 one-way rides.

Benefit Methods

Employer Paid Benefits - Employers can pay up to $260 per month for their employees to commute by transit. With this arrangement, employees receive up to $260 monthly in tax-free transit benefit. Employers have found that providing transit benefits offers significant savings over offering the equivalent dollar value to employees in the form of salary increases.

Employee Paid Benefits - Employers can allow employees to elect to exchange up to $260 per month in taxable salary for a tax-free transit benefit.

Shared Cost Benefits - Employers can provide a portion of the cost of taking transit as a tax-free transit benefit.

Additional Information

The pertinent law of the Internal Revenue Service can be found in Section 132 in the Internal Revenue Code, Tile 26 of the U.S. Code.

For more information on obtaining Metro Ride passes and tokens, e-mail Metro Ride at metroride@ci.wausau.wi.us.