Accor Services USA Transit Benefit Letter to Speaker Pelosi
4.20.2010
Today Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) were joined by 31 of Congress in writing a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking that a provision in the ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’ which temporarily increased the transit and vanpool portion of the commute benefit be made permanent.
WASHINGTON– Today Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) were joined by 31 of Congress in writing a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking that a provision in the ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’ which temporarily increased the transit and vanpool portion of the commute benefit be made permanent. That letter was accompanied by a similar letter which included 20 national associations and organizations that support the effort.
Accor Services USA, the nation’s leading provider of transportation benefits, wants to thank Congressman McGovern and Congressman Blumenauer for their tireless efforts to support providing commuters with practical and cost effective transportation options. They, along with Senator Schumer (D-NY) and many others, were fundamental in adding the provision in the ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’ that increased the transit portion of the commute benefit from $120/month to $230/month--equal to parking.
The continuation of this increase is necessary because so many Americans commuting by transit and vanpool have seen their monthly transit costs soar as transit agencies have been forced to increase fares over the past several years. The increase provided has been a tangible relief for millions of Americans. Commuters who take advantage of this provision on a pre-tax basis have been able to save up to 40% of their commuting costs. Employers have also taken advantage of this program--by offering it to their employees, an employer can save up to 10% on average in payroll tax savings.
The provision included in the ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’ expires at the end of this year. If action is not taken to extend or make the provision permanent, the effect will be similar to a tax or fare increase of 20% on millions of commuting Americans. Accor Services USA supports the efforts taken by Congressman McGovern and Blumenauer and is working with their offices to see that this provision is made permanent.
Read the Letter to Speaker Pelosi: Transit Benefits Letter to Speaker Pelosi