VANPOOL TAX BENEFIT GUARANTEED RIDE HOME IT IS THE PERFECT RIDE FOR YOUR MORNING COMMUTE AND IT'S THE SAFE RIDE HOME. IT'S TO YOUR ADVANTAGE EVERY TIME. Vanpooling has been highly popular with suburban commuters. These can commuters even get a tax advantage. Now the program comes to rural North Central Pennsylvania where a commute can often exceed 20 miles and last an hour or more each day. A new vanpool network for the rest of us. Convenience - Each van in the network has its own unique "route." The schedule is set cooperatively by the riders. Pick up locations are arranged at convenient "park and ride" locations and other readily accessible places. The vanpool Advantage Network takes care of routine maintenance for your vehicle. Cost Savings - Driving alone to and from work can cost more than $5,000 per year if your round trip is 50 miles per day. The same ride can cost substantially less in a network vanpool. Your car "stays home" with far less wear and tear. Everyone can appreciate this advantage. Contribution - While your commuting costs drop substantially you pay only a small amount each week which takes care of the vehicle, fuel, insurance, and maintenance. The exact amount of your vanpool will be determined by several factors including the total round trip miles. Vanpool Advantage will help you and your group determine the amount of your contribution. Contingencies - The Vanpool Advantage network offers a Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) service to cover those times when it is necessary to return home sooner than the vanpool departure. Comfort - Relax on the way to work. Relax on the way home. The new vanpool sprinter fleet offers comfortable seating, tinted windows, zoned heating and air conditioning, and customized lighting. You'll arrive at work ready to get things done and return home "stress free." Network Support - The vanpool Advantage Network is backed by one of the most experienced and dedicated rural transportation systems in the U.S. and it's based right here in North Central Pennsylvania. Since 1976 the ATA system has created a multi-county network of transit services coupled with innovative transview scheduling and smart technologies that serve hundreds of thousands of riders each year. See the Flyer for details. [return to top] GRH IS DESIGNED TO REASSURE COMMUTERS WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT HOW THEY WILL GET HOME WHEN AN EMERGENCY ARISES. KNOWING THERE IS A GUARANTEED RIDE HOME PROVIDES PEACE OF MIND AND CONFIDENCE. A guaranteed ride home from ATA Commuters sharing the ride to work in a vanpool can save thousands of dollars each year. If you are a member of the Vanpool Advantage Network, you automatically qualify for ATA's Guaranteed Ride Home Program (GRH). Who's Eligible to Participate in the GRH Program? - To be eligible for the GRH program you must use one of the following alternative commute modes at least twice a week, and you must us an alternate commute mode on the day you request a ride home. Alternate commute modes are: Vanpools Mass Transit (bus) Also, you must work and live in ATA's six county area of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter. Getting Started - To participate in the GRH program, please call our toll free Customer Service line 866-282-4968. When you call you will be asked a series of questions to enroll you in the program. You will then be asked to make a payment electronically by using your debit or credit card. How the Program Works - When an emergency arises call ATA's Call Center, Monday through Fridays (except holidays) from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The hours of dispatching service have been designed to best serve employees with a change in their schedule due to unexpected overtime or personal emergencies. ATA has created a network of providers who offer several transportation options to get commuters home quickly and safely. See the GRH Flyer [return to top] "COMMUTER TAX BENEFITS"...LIKE MONEY IN THE BANK. JOIN A VANPOOL ADVANTAGE NETWORK AND BENEFIT FROM SECTION 132(F) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. Vanpooling has been highly popular with suburban commuters. These van commuters even get a tax advantage. Now the program comes to rural North Central Pennsylvania where a commute can often exceed 20 miles and last hour or more each day. Now rural vanpoolers can get the benefit. The commuter tax benefit is a vanpool advantage. Commuters sharing the ride to work in a vanpool can save thousands of dollars each year. If you are a member of the Vanpool Advantage Network, you may qualify for a genuine IRS commuter tax benefit. Qualified transportation fringe benefits (Section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code) or “Commuter Tax Benefits” is like money in the bank. Employers save on payroll related taxes. Employees save on federal income taxes. Everybody benefits. Employers may provide workers with up to $245 per month in tax-free transit and vanpool benefits. The monthly limitation under Section 132(f)(2)(A) Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits regarding the aggregate fringe benefit exclusion amount for vanpools (commuter highway vehicles) and transit passes is $245. The monthly limitation under Section 132(f)(2)(B) regarding the fringe benefit exclusion amount for qualified parking is $245. Commuters can receive both the transit and parking benefits (i.e., up to $490 per month). Employers can allow employees to use pretax dollars to pay for vanpool fares. See the Flyer for details and tax benefits. [return to top]