TRANServe Frequently Asked Questions
The participant may have received a Rush Hour Promise Credit or 15 Minute Grace Period Credit in addition to their normal SmartBenefits. Participants receive their accumulated credits for the prior month on the first day of the new benefit month. The credit is displayed and used beforetheir normal SmartBenefits are displayed and used. Your participant can log in to their SmarTrip Online account to confirm that they have received both a credit and their normal SmartBenefits.
- Go to https://smartrip.wmata.com/Account/Create
- Enter the requested information and click submit.
- Then log into your SmarTrip® account and click on "Add SmarTrip® Card".
Registration takes effect 24 hours after submission.
Completed claim forms are accepted annually. They are due to the Parking and Transit Office on October 10th for the months of November - October.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington, DC 20590
Point of Contact: Parking and Transit Office
E-mail: Parking.TransitOffice@dot.gov
Yes, we encourage everyone to wear a helmet and follow all rules of the road.
No, you can learn more about the Active Bicycle Commuting Subsidy, here.
No. The Transit Benefit is not taxable and does not have to be reported as income.
For Agency specific information you may find it helpful to navigate here and scroll down to your agency page
If you still need help, please consult your Agency Transit Benefit Program Policy or contact your Agency Program Co-ordinator to obtain more information regarding the Transit Benefit Program.
No. The Transit Benefit is for the current calendar month.
You must take two actions if you lose your SmarTrip ® card.
- Call 1-888-762-7874 or email smartrip@wmata.com to cancel your card and request a new one. The Washington Metro Area Transit Authority will transfer your benefit to a new card, less the new card fee.
- Register your new SmarTrip ® card to protect both your personal funds and you transit benefit.
- Complete a Transit Benefit Application Change according to your agency’s policy and procedure so that the Transit Benefit is available to your new card.
- If your agency is already using the TRANServe Electronic Application System, that site address is https://www.transportation.gov/transerve.
You must take two steps If your SmarTrip ® card stops working.
Call 1-888-762-7874 to cancel your card and to request a new one.
If the problem is in the chip, WMATA will transfer your benefit to a new card and send the card to you.
Immediately register your new SmarTrip ® card (www.wmata.com) to protect your funds.
Complete a Transit Benefit Application change form so your transit benefit is re-assigned to the new card.
If your agency is already using the TRANServe’s Electronic Application System, that site is https://www.transportation.gov/transerve.
No. Indirect costs, such as gas, mileage, or parking cannot be included as part of the estimated commuting cost.
No. You do not take what you cannot use. Remember, when the amount you receive exceeds the amount you need, you must always adjust. If you received the benefit in advance of going on TDY, you must factor your absence into the amount you pick up at the next distribution.
Note: No Action is necessary for users of certain electronic fare media, including the TRANServe Card and the WMATA SmarTrip ® card. You are not required to return unused funds. Unused funds are automatically returned to you Agency at the end of each monthly funding cycle. If this does not occur in your region your Agency may require you to produce a check or money order to return the funds to their program.
No. This is a monthly benefit based on the actual cost of your home-to-work-to-home commute. If you are not coming to work, you are not paying to commute and are not eligible for the transit benefit. You must adjust your benefit to account for the time you are out and return the benefit amount you do not use during the month for which it was intended.
Note: Users of certain electronic fare media, including the TRANServe Card and the WMATA SmarTrip card are not required to return unused funds. Unused funds are automatically returned at the end of each monthly funding cycle. If this does not occur in your region your Agency may require you to produce a check or money order to return the funds to their program.
When you know in advance you will not need the full benefit it is best to take a lesser amount during the next regular distribution. The amount depends on how many days you plan to work. Example: You have certified that your estimated commuting cost is $5.00 per day, or $100.00 per month. You are on leave for 10 days. During the next Transit Benefit distribution cycle, you must request $50.00, having reduced the amount by the amount of media left from last time.
Note: Users of certain electronic fare media, including the TRANServe Card and the WMATA SmarTrip® card are not required to return unused funds. Unused funds are automatically returned to your Agency at the end of each monthly funding cycle. If this does not occur in your region your Agency may require you to produce a check or money order to return the funds to their program.
You must adjust your benefit the following month. When employees enroll in the Transit Benefit Program, they must certify that the benefit amount requested does not exceed their actual monthly commuting costs. To do otherwise constitutes a false statement. The statement on the agency enrollment form reads, “This certification concerns a matter with the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States. Making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to criminal prosecution under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, providing for a fine and imprisonment. Agency disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal may also be pursued.”
No! Your Transit Benefit belongs to you and to no one else.
It is against the law to sell or give your fare media to someone else. The federal Transit Benefit was designed to assist employees with public transportation costs and support initiatives that cut-down on air pollution and relieve traffic congestion. The Transit Benefit is not transferable. It is not to be loaned, given away or sold. When you retire, leave the agency, or otherwise separate, you must return all unused fare media to your employing agency. This includes accepting employment with another federal agency. Each employer funds their own program. You must withdraw from the first agency and apply with the new agency.
If you are absent from work and your actual commuting cost falls below the amount of the Transit Benefit you received, you are required to adjust. This means you must reduce the amount of the Transit Benefit you accept during the next distribution cycle. The amount you reduce depends on your actual commuting expense on the days that you actually commuted to your office. Example: You have certified that your estimated commuting cost is $5.00 per day, or $100.00 per month. You are on leave for 10 days. During the next Transit Benefit distribution cycle, you must request $50.00, to account for the amount of fare media left from last time.
Note: Users of certain electronic fare media, including the TRANServe Card and the WMATA SmarTrip ® card are not required to return unused funds. Unused funds are automatically returned to you Agency at the end of each monthly funding cycle. If this does not occur in your region your Agency may require you to produce a check or money order to return the funds to their program.
Yes. You do if your commuting costs changed when your work schedule changed. You must document this change by updating your Transit Benefit Application. To do this, follow your agency’s prescribed procedure.. If your Agency uses the TRANServe Electronic Transit Benefit System click here.
No. The Federal Transit Benefit is for federal employees who choose to commute using mass transit in a commuter highway vehicle. This includes bus, rail, light rail, or an authorized vanpool.