TRANServe Frequently Asked Questions
Withdraw from the Transit Benefit Program using your Agency's established process. If you are unsure of this process consult your Agency’s policy or consult your Transit Benefit Program Point of Contact.
Participants already using the TRANServe Electronic Application System may go to https://transitapp.ost.dot.gov then click “Transit Benefit Application”, then Click “Withdraw” and click “Proceed”
Once paper fare media is distributed to you, you are responsible for its safekeeping. Lost or stolen fare media will not be replaced by your employer. Some transit authorities have methods to exchange damaged fare media. Your agency Point of Contact may also be able to advise you in the handling of damaged fare media. For more information from your transit authority, click here.
Eligible employees may receive a transit benefit from their employers. The amount of the benefit is limited to their actual commuting costs, up to the current statutory limit, which is currently $315.00 per month. Refer to agency for max amount. When your costs exceed $300.00 per month you are required to cover the additional costs with personal funds.
Use your current Agency designated process for completing changes to your transit benefit record. If you are not sure what to do, review the Applicant Guide or contact your Agency's Transit Benefit Program Office.
If your Agency uses the TRANServe’s Electronic Application
- Log in to TRANServe’s Electronic Application at https://transitapp.ost.dot.gov
- Select “My Account” to update your name, email address or phone number.
- Submit an updated Application
If your Agency does not use TRANServe’s Electronic Application yet, inform your Assigned Agency Point of Contact. Ask them to contact their TRANServe Transit Benefit Manager to request correction. Once your POC confirms your transit benefit record is correct, you may request a card replacement by calling US Bank Customer Service at 1-888-994-6722 or 711 for the hearing impaired.
No. You may apply for a Transit Benefit that equals, but never exceeds the amount you spend when using mass transit for your home-to-work-to-home commute.
No The Transit Benefit Application Worksheet, sometimes referred to as the Commuting Cost Worksheet, is only required during initial application, annual recertification and whenever changes are made to your application.
Any time the amount of your Transit Benefit exceeds the amount you need, you must adjust. When your routine commute changes, you are expected to submit a change application to update your Transit Benefit Application Worksheet. When a change is temporary, simply reduce the amount you accept. by purchasing only what you expect to need for that month. (i.e. On leave for one week? Purchase tickets for 3 weeks). You may make additional purchases if your plans change within the monthly cycle. Since most transit benefit participants are already using electronic fare media the balance will automatically sweep back to your Agency at the end of the monthly cycle.
Remember, when using the Transit Benefit to pay your home-to-work-to-home commuting costs, you must adjust the amount of your Transit Benefit to reflect any times when you do not commute. You are not to authorized to claim a Transit Benefit on days on which you telework, take annual or sick leave, are off for a holiday, during an office closure, are on official travel or your area experiences a Code Red day.
To apply for the Transit Benefit you must use the process approved by the federal agency for whom you work. Contact your Human Resources Representative or the Point of Contact for your agency’s Transit Benefit program. The application and contact at your agency may be listed on this website in the Participants section. For instance, if you are a Department of Transportation employee, scroll down and click DOT and Transit Benefit Program Application System.
These transit authority websites will assist you to accurately estimate the cost of your commute.
You are eligible to receive dollar-for-dollar of your actual commuting expense up to the statutory limit. The amount currently permitted by the Internal Revenue Service is $300.00 per month.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requires all Transit Benefit Program participants to recertify annually to verify their information is correct and up-to-date.
The Transit Benefit is an employer provided benefit designed to encourage employees to leave their personal vehicles at home and choose to use vanpools, commuter rail, commuter bus or other forms of mass transit for their home-to-work-to-home commute.
You must present a photo identification that proves you are a current employee of the federal agency providing the Transit Benefit to you.
When you purchase a reloadable electronic fare media card, be sure to register it with the Transit Authority Provider, if this option is available. Registration prevents a permanent loss of irreplaceable Transit Benefit funds. The electronic fare media on a lost, stolen or damaged card can be transferred to the new card. Please note you may not use your Transit Benefit to purchase a reloadable electronic fare media card from the Transit Authority. You must pay for the new card with personal funds. You can learn more information about your transit authority, here.
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 before their 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.