UMD GREEN COMMUTER CHEATSHEET

 

WE MAKE SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE.

DOTS offers a variety of discounts and programs that make sustainable commutes feasible for different lifestyles and budgets:

PRE-TAX TRANSIT BENEFITS PROGRAM

Save an average of $560 a year on your public transit expenses with the Pre-Tax Transit Benefits program. This program is available to all UMD employees, including graduate assistants and teaching assistants, who use transit for commuting purposes.


We work with Benefit Resource, Inc. (BRI) to administer the Pre-Tax Transit Benefits program. BRI issues participants a Mastercard  that is accepted only at transit agencies. Set aside any dollar amount, up to $325 per month,  to beloaded pre-tax directly onto your assigned Mastercard. Use this card on your Mobile Wallet or at the ticket kiosk to purchase tickets on WMATA Metrorail, Metrobus, MARC train, and other regional transit providers.  Transit benefits are for the exclusive use of the employee.
 

TO ENROLL IN THE PRE-TAX TRANSIT BENEFITS PROGRAM
  1. Complete the Pre-Tax Transit Benefits Initiation Form. DOTS will then verify that you are an eligible employee and submit your information to BRI.
  2. Activate your account and select your deduction amount following the instructions sent to you by smartcommute@umd.edu. You can increase or decrease your pre-tax deduction every two pay periods using your BRI account.
  3. A BRI Mastercard will be sent to your mailing address.  DOTS processes payroll deduction and transfers funds to BRI every two pay periods.
  4. DOTS processes payroll deduction and transfers funds to BRI.
  5. BRI loads deducted funds onto your Mastercard.
  6. Use your BRI Mastercard to purchase transit fare with your mobile wallet or at the ticket kiosk.
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS ARE TAKEN ONLY 20 PAY PERIODS PER YEAR (PAY PERIODS 5 THROUGH 24)

There are no deductions taken from your paycheck for pay periods 25, 26 and 1 through 4 (summer months) and therefore no benefit is provided for non-deducted pay periods. If you are in need of transit benefits year-round, then you should increase your deduction during the 20 pay periods to accumulate funds during the year for use during summer months.

If you are dropped from payroll deduction for any reason (including no pay), which results in your benefits not being deducted, you are responsible for any missed payments. 
 

THE GUARANTEED RIDE HOME PROGRAM (GRH)

The Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) provides
commuters who regularly (twice a week)
choose sustainable transportation with a free
and reliable ride home when one of life's
unexpected emergencies arise. This service is
provided through Commuter Connections.

Commuters may take advantage of GRH up to
four times per year for unexpected emergencies such as a personal illness or a sickchild. GRH can also be used for unscheduled overtime when your employer mandates that you must stay late. Knowing there's a guaranteed ride home allows one to use sustainable transportation options with peace of mind and confidence. Best of all, the Guaranteed Ride Home service is free!

Sign Up For Guaranteed Ride Home.

Some restrictions apply. Please read the participation guidelines. 
 

PARKING PERMIT DISCOUNT

CARPOOL PERMITS*

Get a 50 percent discount on your annual or semester parking permit and complimentary day passes with the DOTS Carpool Permit! Use CarpoolNow and Pool Rewards to find commuters to join your carpool, and earn cash rewards as a carpool driver through Commuter Connections.
 

BIKE COMMUTER INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The Bike Commuter Incentive Program provides free and  secure swipe-access to bike parking, personal lockers, and shower facilities inside Regents Drive Garage. This program is open to UMD students, faculty and staff.

Sign-up for the Bike Commuter Incentive Program in three easy steps:

  1. Register your bike.
  2. Fill out the Bike Commuter Incentive form.

After submitting the form, you will receive an email confirming that your University ID card is enabled for swipe access to the bike parking facility and the shower facilities at Regents Drive Garage. Lockers can be rented separately on a semesterly basis. You’ll also receive instructions on how to access these facilities. Learn more.