Step-by-Step Transit Benefit Application Guide

Follow the instructions below to apply for the Transit Benefit Program!

1. Log in: https://transitapp.ost.dot.gov/index.cfm?method=passport.showLogin

2. Select:

• Transit Benefit Application button or Transit Application tab, then
• Certify/Enroll

3. Choose "Continue"

4. Read the "Warning!" certification screen and then select "I Agree" to continue

5. Select from each of the following drop-down menus:

• Reason for Certification: Annual Certification/Recertification
• You must check the box for "I have completed the required Transit Benefit Integrity training for my Agency"
• Employment Type: Permanent or Seasonal only
• Work Status: Full Time or Part Time

6. Select all applicable transportation modes/methods to be included in your Transit benefits applications

• Bus; Other Bus, Rail, Other Method, and/or Vanpool

7. Each method selected, will populate two additional fields to be completed:

• Method to Work and Method from Work: 
• Name of Company: Enter the name of the transit company, for example- MARTA
• Station Name: Enter the name of the station or stop for to/from work, unless using a vanpool, then enter the address
• Daily Expense: Enter the daily cost to commute on that mode of transportation
• Days per Month: Enter the number of days per month you’ll be using this
• Monthly Expense: This field will automatically calculate based off the information entered in the previous three fields

Note: If you purchase a monthly pass, you may need to adjust the Daily Expense Amount and Days per month to calculate correctly

If you have Mailing/Shipping Costs: Use "Other Method" to add your mailing/shipping costs, For example: If your shipping cost is $1.00 per month

• Other Method to Work & Other Method from Work: Enter "Mailing/Shipping Cost"
• Name of Company: Enter name of the transit company
• Daily Expense: Enter $.50 cents
• Days per Month: Enter 1 day
• Monthly Expense: Will auto-calculate

Participant Information Section

1. Profile will be created during registration

Agency Information Section

1. Using the drop-down menus, please provide additional agency specific information  

Work Information Section

• Complete: Address, City, State, and Zip
• Please provide suite number on second line if applicable

Residence Information Section

• Complete: Address, City, State, and Zip
• Please provide apartment or suite number on second line if applicable

Approver Information Section

• First Approver: Search and select. Example, supervisor
• Second Approver: Search and select. Example, Local Coordinator, Regional Coordinator, Point of Contact
• Manager Phone: Enter your direct supervisor's phone number

SmartTrip Card Number:

SmartTrip cards are limited to WMATA commuters in the NCR (Washington, DC-Virginia-Maryland)

• If you DO NOT commute on WMATA in these areas, Enter: "NA"
• If you DO commute on WMATA in these areas, Enter: SmartTrip Card number without dashes or spaces

See the example below, then insert the numbers on the application in the same format that follow;

• Example: GD1137 0167 0693 4564 7992 9601 = 01670693456479929601

Note: If you do not already have a SmartTrip card, purchase one first to provide the number on this application and help speed up the process

Comment for Agency Approvers:

Enter any comments/details that are applicable to your application, for example; "I telework and only need transit benefits 4 days per month"