SUBJECT:

Pretax Transit/Coaster Passes by Payroll Deduction

UCSD's Transportation and Parking Services Department will begin selling San Diego Transit, North County Transit, and Coaster train passes on a pretax basis via payroll deduction beginning in March 2005.

The passes will be available from Rideshare Operations located in the Parking Office at the Gilman Parking Structure, and from the Arbor Parking Office located in the Arbor Parking Structure at the UCSD Medical Center - Hillcrest. These parking offices offer one-stop access to alternative transportation information and benefits.

To purchase a transit pass via payroll deduction:

1. Complete the Transit Payroll Program Authorization & Cancellation form: http://multnomah.ucsd.edu/TPS/Forms/Authorization.dot (Word)

2. Return the signed and dated form to Rideshare Operations by the 15th of the month. The deduction from that month's check will pay for the following month's transit pass.

3. Pick up your pass from Rideshare Operations after the 27th of the month. You will be asked for photo ID, and you must sign in person for the pass.

4. Use your pass as of the first day of the following month. For example, if you pick up a pass on March 28, the pass will be valid starting April 1.

If you have questions regarding this new Rideshare benefit, please contact Rideshare Operations at (858) 534-7433 or, for the UCSD Medical Center - Hillcrest, call (619) 543-6524.

Rogers Davis Assistant Vice Chancellor - Human Resources

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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

The following questions and answers address the pretax payroll deductions for San Diego and North County Transit District bus and Coaster passes authorized under the University's Pretax Transportation Program.

Q1.	What are the Parking Office hours?
A1.	Gilman: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Arbor: Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Note: Over-the-counter sales of passes (see Question 3) close at 5:00 p.m. at Gilman.
Q2.	Who is eligible?
A2.	Any staff or faculty member paid by UCSD.
Q3.	Do I have to purchase a pass through payroll deduction?
A3.	No. Anyone may purchase a pass from Rideshare Operations; however, these passes are sold without the pretax deduction.
Q4.	Which passes will be available for purchase through payroll deduction?
A4.	Bus Passes (all passes are monthly passes) $64 (Express) $58 (Ready pass) $50 (North County) $14.50 (Senior/Disabled) - must provide proof to purchase Coaster Passes (all passes are monthly passes) $116 (within 2 zones) $132 (within 3 zones) $144 (within 4 zones) $36 (all zones Senior/Disabled) - must provide proof to purchase

Tax Limits:

Q5.	Is there a limit on the pretax deduction amount for transit passes?
A5.	Yes. Under IRS regulations, the amount of transit pass expenses employees may exclude from their income is limited to up to $105 per month.
Q6.	If the value of an employee's pretax deduction for bus and Coaster passes does not exceed the limit in any month, may the unused portion of the exclusion be carried over to subsequent months?
A6.	No. The limit is applied monthly.