Posted on 08/17/2008 5:20:09 AM PDT by MrPiper
I was not sure where to post this, but I thought some here would like to see more Government Welfare, for Government employees, FBI,COE, etc.
A friend drives a large commuter bus part time and he says this is how most of the government employees pay for their bus fare. Some bring in $170 dollars worth at a time.
Does anyone know the details?
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It comes with a free hair dryer too? :O)
Is this state, federal or local?
It looks like a pen cap to me.
Oh yeah, that would make more sense. Doh!
It is federal I suppose since the majority of the checks come from COE employees. (Corps of Engineers)
Yes that is a pen cap. I was trying to cover up the check number. Then I learned to use photo edit in Photobucket.
Does the commuter bus give change back in the form of cash?
How nice that the check is so anonymous; almost like it was designed so that you could sell your check at a discount to someone else for cash.
I don't think this is what you think it is. I think Tranben provides checks from employers to employees in a way that allows them to avoid having that taxed as a benefit.
From Tranben's site.
I get a $65 tax free subsidy from my company for riding public transit to work. I don’t know the details but I’d bet it’s a write-off for them.
Guys who drive van pools get the same subsidy plus free bridge toll, free parking and access to the HOV lanes.
While we are on the topic, I’d just like to thank you all for helping to subsidize my trip to work every morning. And no, I don’t think it makes sense but I’ll keep the money. :o)
If the federal government doesn't control spending, some day it will actually spend more than it takes in. What is this world coming to?
No, no cash back. He said they buy these little cards that have punchouts on them. No cash back. They have to turn in the used cards. Thats the good news. However, knowing the FBI,COE pay scale, this is indeed upper middle class welfare!
Having thought about it, I'm sure its also viewed by the government as a way to slip more money to the public transportation system, un-seen by the public, increase ridership on empty buses, include business suits and dresses on buses, and would probable not be traded for crack or guns.
You are funny, hahahaha! Love it!
My workplace is not government and they pay the bus company for transporting their employees from outlying parking and ride lots around the city. We just have to show our company ID. I don’t know how well the driver tracks numbers though the company may just have a set amount they pay per month.
The reason they provide this is there is not enough parking for all their employees (20000+)most of whom work during the day, even though they have two outlying employee lots with shuttles (running from about 5am-8pm, provided by the same company) and allot of employees lots and ramps on campus, thus they encourage employees to park at park and rides and take the bus.
They also encourage employees to use buses coming in from towns further out. For those buses they employee pays some of the expense. my understanding is the commuter buses are getting really full. One line just added an earlier bus and riders from another community are trying to get another bus added to their route since the current one is now standing room only. If the price of gas stays high the number riding the buses will probably only increase, these buses are already having standing room only as they get closer to the city. Will be interesting to see how much bus service increases now.
The company I have also has a guaranteed ride home, if you miss your ride because of work reasons and there are no more buses they will take you to your car if in an outer area or actually give you a ride home. Haven’t heard of anyone who has used it, I think that may be something used more by nursing.
My brother works for the state of California and used to commute about 45 minutes to Sacramento. The state paid his bus fare.
Thats wonderful for its employees, and is not a handout because the cost for the fringe benefit is figured in to the bottom line. They still have to turn a profit or go broke.
The US government is STEALING this money AT GUN POINT from me to pay for these so called "fringe bennies". They are broke but keep stealing!
You see the difference?
I guess folks here have never heard of van pools. Used by both public and private sector. Take the van home and drive it to work. Pick up others. I think the employer provides a gas card also.
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