Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 23, 2009
No changes to SmartBenefits® program in January 2010
Metro requests extension on federal mandate compliance
Metro officials have requested an extension of its January 1, 2010 deadline to comply with an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mandate that requires transit benefits and parking benefits to be disbursed and monitored separately. The scheduled SmartBenefits® program changes have been postponed.
The SmartBenefits® program will not change in January 2010 as planned and instead will remain as is until further notice. If an extension is granted, Metro may have up to another year to comply with the federal mandate.
Metro is working to accelerate the additional upgrades that will make bus and rail passes available on the SmarTrip® card and will allow customers to add value to their SmarTrip® cards online. A timetable for completion is being developed.
SmartBenefits® seminars scheduled for December 2 and 9 have been cancelled. Federal and private employers will receive formal notifications of any further changes. For general information about Metro’s SmartBenefits® program, visit http://www.wmata.com/business/employer_fare_program/.
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Media contact for this news release: Bessy Guevara or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.
News release issued at 1:09 pm, November 23, 2009.