Federal employees eligible for commuter benefit Published Feb. 9, 2018 By Scott Sheehan 66th Civil Engineering Division HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Mass Transit Benefits Program provides federal employees, including civilians, active duty military and non-appropriated fund employees, financial assistance with their commuting costs. Employees using mass transportation, such as bus, train, subway or vanpools for their home-to-work-to-home commute are eligible to receive the benefit to offset commuting costs. Beginning last month, the monthly benefit increased to $260 per month. However, there are restrictions, such as the benefit may not exceed the actual cost incurred by the employee. In addition, the employee must use mass transit service at least 50 percent of the days they commute to work. Funds are available via a debit card issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Benefits are loaded onto the card on the tenth day of each month and must be used by the end of the month. These debit cards are accepted by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and by Enterprise-Rideshare, the vanpool provider that services Hanscom AFB. Participation includes enrollment in the free Emergency Ride Home program. This program reimburses employees for up to four taxi rides per year to get home in case of unexpected illness of the participant or family member or unscheduled overtime. Costs must not exceed $100 per use. While contractors are not eligible, some employers may offer similar incentive programs. Contractors are able to participate in the Hanscom AFB vanpool program regardless of their eligibility for transit subsidies. To learn about Hanscom commuter options, visit https://cs2.eis.af.mil/sites/22388/commuter/pages/travel%20options.aspx. Employees interested in the benefit program should contact John Tamvaklis, Hanscom Commuter Program coordinator, at 781-225-6151 for more information.