Bill would increase transit subsidy for some employees

More federal employees living in the Washington area will be able to pocket up to $105 each month toward transportation costs if legislation approved by Congress on Friday is signed into law.

A provision in a six-year highway and mass transit bill would allow thousands of additional workers to receive a tax-free financial incentive toward the costs of transit commuting. These popular "Metrocheks" would be paid for by agencies.

"Guaranteed benefits will give these employees more choice in their commuting options and provide an additional incentive to move off our congested roadways and onto public transit," said Sen. Paul Sarbanes, D-Md., who served as a negotiator on the bill.

The provisions would codify an executive order issued in 2000 by President Clinton that required federal agencies in the region to offer transit benefits to their employees, and would also extend the order to employees in the legislative and judicial branches.

According to Sarbanes' office, 110,000 employees had joined the federal transit benefit program by 2001.

However, thousands of employees in the legislative and judicial branches, and many independent agencies located in the area, were not part of the program. Some individual agencies chose to provide similar benefits to employees, but now such assistance would be required.

The bill also contains a provision removing a restriction that prohibits federal agencies from operating a shuttle service to a public transit facility. Agencies would now be able to offer shuttle services between their offices and transit centers such as Metro and Maryland Rail Commuter Service stations.

On the House side, Rep. James Moran, D-Va., headed the effort to include the provisions.

"As the region's largest employer, the federal government needs to be setting an example that will help reduce traffic congestion and offer an affordable alternative to the daily driving commute," Moran said.