Train Talk Archive

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Winter Weather

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VRE is operating full service tomorrow, January 17, 2013

As you may or may not know, winter weather is expected to hit our area=
beginning tomorrow afternoon. VRE still plans operating its normal sched=
ule tomorrow, but may move the bigger trainsets to operate earlier aftern=
oon trains if we think passengers plan to leave work early tomorrow.

We will make a decision about Friday’s service closer to that time, bu=
t will make an announcement no later than 4:30am that morning if we decid=
e to alter service.

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News You Can Use

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News You Can Use

New Transit Benefit Limit

As
many of you are aware, the transit benefit amount has the potential now t=
o be
raised to $240/month. The information below is from the DOD Washington
Headquarters Services website and explains the process for VRE passengers=
to
obtain their benefits. As we receive information from other
agencies/employers, we will also forward it on.

Increase to Maximu=
m Monthly Limit

Please read the following =
notification in its entirety.
This information may affect your mass transit benefits.

What?

The American Taxpayer Reli=
ef Act of 2012 increases the
maximum monthly statutory limit for mass transit benefits to $240* for ca=
lendar
year 2013. Participants are now eligible to submit claims for their certi=
fied
commuting expenses up to the new maximum limit. (* amount subject to chan=
ge
based on IRS guidance)

What do you Need to do?=

Submit your claim for bene=
fits as usual up to your
certified commuting expenses. Your most recently approved commuting expen=
ses
are on file. There is no need to submit a change application for this inc=
rease
unless you need to update your commuting expenses. To view your most rece=
ntly
approved application that includes your expenses, please visit Participant S=
tatus.

Please submit your
claim for February benefits.

Important Note: Riders of =
third party transit providers
may need to take additional actions. Third party transit providers are th=
ose
modes of transportation that DO NOT have a SmarTrip card reader on board.=

Please see important additional instructions below.

What if I already Submi=
tted a Claim for Next Month’s
Benefit?

Please submit a NEW claim =
for your certified commuting
expenses up to the maximum monthly limit of $240. By entering a new claim=
, your
previous claim for February will be overwritten. Please submit your revised claim.

Attention riders of third =
party transit providers – you
may need to adjust your allocation. Depending on your mode of Transit, yo=
u must
notify Commuter Direct or WMATA (Metro) of the adjustment you wish to mak=
e to
your allocation amount. Otherwise, your previously specified amount will =
be
sent to your transit provider. Any unallocated benefits will remain on yo=
ur
SmarTrip card for Metrorail or Metrobus use.

MARC and VRE riders

By January 16, 2013, you m=
ust log into your
CommuterDirect account and adjust the total amount you wish to allocate t=
o
purchase your monthly pass.

Follow the detailed guide for
updating your CommuterDirect allocation at How to
Change your SmartBenefits Allocation. CommuterDirect =
may be
reached at 703-228-7433 for assistance.

Vanpools, MTA Buses, MA=
RTZ, Quicks Bus,
Metro Access and all other third party allocations

By January 20, 2013, you m=
ust update your allocation with
WMATA (Metro).

Login to your WMATA
(Metro) allocation accountClick on =
“Bill Payments”
then “Make Payments”Click “MOD” to modify
your allocationEnter your new allocation amountClick Update

A detailed guide for updat=
ing your allocation on WMATA’s
website is available at Van Pools &
Transit Services

 

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