SmarTrip

SmarTrip is a tax-free commute benefit companies can offer to employees in the Washington metropolitan area. Both programs allow a company to give up to $115 in tax-free transportation benefits to an employee each month. If the company qualifies, it can deduct the full cost of this popular benefit as a business expense.

SmarTrip is a permanent, rechargeable transit and vanpool fare card and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card.

Employers can load the value of tax-free commute benefit on to your SmarTrip card using SmartBenefits.

SmarTrip is provided only to employers by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). For more information about sales office locations and transit and vanpool providers who accept SmarTrip, check WMATA’s SmarTrip information page , or call them at (202) 962-1326.

Advantages of SmarTrip

• Employees receive an additional benefit they don’t have to declare as income
• Employers can use it as a recruiting or retention tool
• Employees have an easy way to pay transit fare without cash
• This is a simple program to administer— to eligible employees
• Employers can download tax-free commute benefit onto employee

How Commuter Connections Can Help Your Company Implement a SmarTrip Program

• Survey employees to determine transit needs and preferences
• Help implement SmarTrip program
• Provide information on possible additional commute options such as ridesharing subsidies, parking discounts, and financial incentives.

If you’re interested in receiving a SmartBenefits brochure or if you have any questions, use our easy Employer Services Request Form or call us at 1-800-745-RIDE.

Also, try our Commuter Connections Bulletin Board to participate in a discussion group on commuting issues.