OAKLAND, Calif., August 19, 2002
The popular Commuter Check® transit benefit program, which has enrolled over 3600 Bay Area employers, announced that it has signed an agreement with the Bay Area’s TransLink® smart card program to offer an integrated service. Through this, employers will be able to provide tax-free transit fares for their employees in an automated fashion, with credits being added directly to employee TransLink cards. The service will work for both the employer-provided subsidy option, which many Commuter Check employers have offered since 1991, as well as the employee-paid pre-tax payroll deduction option that became available in 1998.

Stuart Baker, Western Regional Manager for Commuter Check, announced that the City of Palo Alto has agreed to be the first employer to enroll in the Commuter Check-TransLink pilot program, and that Palo Alto’s use of the system will begin in September. Palo Alto employees using CalTrain will receive direct credit to their TransLink card, making it a valid monthly pass for the appropriate zone fares for the month of October. Amanda Jones, the Commute Coordinator for the City of Palo Alto, said, “We have used Commuter Checks for our employees since 1993, and are pleased to help Commuter Check pioneer a new approach with TransLink. The integrated service will save time for our employees and make transit use that much more attractive. It will make my job easier as well.”

Baker also announced that San Francisco-based NetTempo will be the second employer to participate in the new service. Their employees use BART and Muni, which are also participating in the TransLink service. Baker added, “As the TransLink system expands and serves more stations and transit operators, we expect to find many more employers interested in the integrated Commuter Check – TransLink service. The combined programs will help to further institutionalize employer-provided transit fares as a common workplace benefit, which has been Commuter Check's goal since the company was formed in 1990.”

For information on Commuter Check, call (800) 559-7909.

About Commuter Check
Commuter Check Services Corp., based in Englewood, New Jersey, is committed to making employer-provided transit fare subsidies a widespread employee benefit by providing cost-effective services, working in close partnership with local public agencies, and providing a high level of service to employers who purchase Commuter Checks. Commuter Checks are vouchers redeemed for public transit fares, and are sold to employers for use as a tax-free employee benefit, bonus or substitute for taxable salary. Commuter Check was formed in 1990 to operate transit discount programs in coordination with local public transit operators, metropolitan planning agencies and State transportation departments. In addition to the Bay Area, Commuter Check also serves Philadelphia, Boston, Minneapolis, Denver and other regions across the U.S.