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Department of the Army Mass Transportation
Benefit Program (MTBP)
Guidance for Participants
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Guidance for Participants

• This guide is to assist participants with the
  following
• Determining eligibility
• How to apply
• Determining amount of benefit
• Timeline for getting started
• Retroactive benefits
• Revalidation
• Obtaining fare media
• Changes and withdrawals
• Making adjustments
• Other questions

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Guidance for Participants Who is eligible

• The Mass Transportation Benefit Program provides
  reimbursement for mass transit commuting costs
  in order to reduce Federal employees
  contribution to traffic congestion and air
  pollution and to expand their commuting
  alternatives (Executive Order 13150, April 2000)
• MTBP is available for all Army employees
  military, civilian, and NAF
• The benefit is a non-taxable personnel benefit,
  funded from the same appropriation or
  non-appropriated fund that funds the
  participant's salary
• The benefit is not to be used for any other
  purpose, and may not be given, sold, or otherwise
  transferred to any other individual
• MTBP execution and individual participation is
  closely monitored by Army, DoD, and Federal
  oversight agencies (GAO, OMB) for compliance with
  program requirements

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Who is NOT eligible?

• Army RC service members who are drilling or
  training in an Inactive Duty for Training (IADT)
  status
• Contractors
• Service members and civilian employees on TDY, or
  who have been deployed
• NAF personnel whose salary is not funded by a
  duly constituted Army NAFI under the provisions
  of AR 215-1
• Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students
  unless they are enlisted in a military branch and
  serving on active duty
• Army military retirees and Army civilian employee
  retirees
• Dependents

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Guidance for Participants

• Eligible MTBP participants receive a subsidy for
  their commuting expenses while using Qualified
  Means of Transportation
• The subsidy is provided via
• Fare media is issued which is used to pay the
  local transit provider.
• As of 1 January 2010 the maximum allowable
  benefit is 230 per month
• If your commuting costs exceed 230 per month,
  you are responsible for the amount above 230.

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Determining the Benefit Amount

• How do I determine the benefit amount that I am
  eligible to receive?
• Contact ACHD at [phone] to determine your
  benefit amount.
• Parking fees are not authorized for reimbursement
  and will not be included in calculating commuting
  costs.
• The cost for seat reservations on vanpools during
  a participants absence from the workplace is not
  authorized for reimbursement and will not be
  included in calculating commuting costs.

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Time Frame for Enrollment

• How long does it take to enroll in the Mass
  Transit Benefit Program?
• The turnaround time for the participate to
  receive benefits is approximately 30 workdays or
  six weeks from the date of submission. (this
  includes new enrollment and re-enrollment)
• If you are new to Commuteride, your first month
  is free (free month consists of 21 consecutive
  work days)
• Can I be retroactively reimbursed for the Mass
  Transit costs I have already incurred or will
  incur prior to my application being processed?
• No, The Mass Transit Benefit Program is a
  benefit, not an entitlement thus, there is no
  retroactive reimbursement for the program.

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Obtaining Your Media Fare

• How do I obtain my fare?
• The participant is notified by email by the
  Program POC that their commuter checks are
  available for pick up. It is critical that the
  employee have the correct email address and
  telephone number on their application form.
• There will be specific times and dates posted for
  the distribution of the commuter checks. If the
  employee is a new participant they will be
  notified by email and telephone about the
  disbursement of their checks.
• If the participant is unable to pick up their
  commuter checks when notified, the employee must
  contact the Mass Transit POC thru email or phone
  and the commuter checks will be held until he or
  she can pick up and sign for them.

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Needing to Make Changes?

• If my commuting circumstances change, can my
  benefit amount be changed?
• Yes. Participants are required to submit a new
  MTBP Application Form to your POC for making a
  change if there is a change to your commuting
  circumstances or cost.
• Should I submit an updated application if any of
  my personal information changes?
• Yes. Submit a new application form for making a
  change whenever changes occur (address change,
  name change, etc)
• What if I decide to withdraw from the program?
• Participants must submit an application form for
  withdrawal if they choose to withdraw from the
  program, or when they depart from their command.
  Departure includes retirement, separation,
  dismissal and transfer. The participate must
  also return all unused fare media to the Mass
  Transit POC upon departure.

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Participates Responsibility

• It is the participants responsibility to hand in
  the Transportation Benefit (commuter checks media
  fare) and out-of-pocket expenses, on time each
  month. Please ensure the monthly fare is paid to
  the commuteride each month.

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Participate Brochure
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Participate Brochure Continued
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What if I have more questions?

• Check with your installation POC they should be
  able to help you with any additional questions.
• POC for Army Guard Participants is SSgt Melissa
  Loepp at 272-3780
• POC for Air Guard Participants is MSgt Tim
  Gibbons at 422-6466