As you return to the physical workplace, we want to ensure employees have a valid NIH Parking Permit and that NIH Transhare members either enroll or modify their transit benefits for their new work schedules.
Prior to returning to the office, it is recommended that all employees check their NED profile for accuracy. Please ensure the work site, building, and room are up to date. Any corrections should be referred to the Administrative Officer. After this, employees will be eligible to apply for transportation programs.Please note that modifications can take up to 24 hours. Once the system is updated, employees will see the available options to enroll.PARKING
All employees are required to have a valid parking permit. If you have not renewed or applied for a permit, you may apply for one on the Commuting and Parking Services (CAPS) https://commuter.ors.od.nih.gov/.
Can't find your NIH Permit or it's lost? simply submit a “Report Lost Hanger” through the CAPS system. A new
permit will be mailed to your home address, and a temporary 2-week permit will
be emailed to you for immediate use.
Transhare members with duty location of NIH Bethesda Campus or Rockledge I/II and need a 1-day parking permit. You can conveniently print a temporary permit from your computer by logging into CAPS.
Permits will be mailed to your home address, and a temporary 2-week permit will be emailed to you for immediate use. If you don't have access to the website or can't find what you are looking for, email nihparkingoffice@nih.gov. Have your vehicle registration handy to apply online or by email to the parking office.
TRANSHARE
Due to a substantial number of construction projects and changes to the garages around Bldg. 10 on the NIH Campus, we encourage employees to take advantage of the NIH Transhare Program, a commuter subsidy program that allows qualified employees to receive up to $325 per month. Log in to CAPS https://commuter.ors.od.nih.gov/, to enroll in Transhare.
Transhare members are permitted to receive up to six (6) permits per calendar quarter, while vanpool members can receive up to twelve (12) permits per calendar quarter.Current Transhare members should log into the CAPS system to ensure their declaration cost is correct. A great tool to use is the WMATA Trip Planner https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/ which will help determine costs.
**IMPORTANT**: Modifications to transit benefits will be unavailable from the 21st of the month until the end of the month, and modification requests will receive a pop-up notice. The WMATA SmartBenefits system locks for reconciliation, NIH Admin Staff cannot make any changes until the 1st of the following month**
If you have not used your SmarTrip card in more than 30 days, please see the important information below, provided by WMATA, before using your SmarTrip cards to commute to work.- Many employees in the region have not tapped or used a SmarTrip card at a metro fare gate, a fare/pass vending machine, or a Metrobus SmarTrip target in over two years. As a result, SmarTrip cards may be inoperable due to inactivity.
- We recommend that employees tap their SmarTrip cards on a metro fare gate, a fare/pass vending machine, or a Metrobus SmarTrip target before they begin traveling. This will refresh their cards for the auto-load process of SmartBenefits.
- Employees who cannot tap their SmarTrip card before they start traveling should ensure there is stored value on their SmarTrip cards for initial travel needs. They will gain access to SmartBenefits typically 24-48 hours after their first travel tap.
- WMATA is doing everything possible on the backend to make your reentry to the system as smooth as possible. Employees with issues or concerns should contact SmarTrip Customer Service at 1-888-762-7874. The customer service team will assess your SmarTrip cards and provide the next steps. The customer service telephone number is also available on the back of SmarTrip cards. As our workforce transitions back to the office, we want to remind employees about the process for obtaining parking permits and Transhare benefits.
TRANSIT ALLOCATIONS – Third-Party Purchases
If employees stopped their transit allocations to service providers to purchase monthly passes for MARC, VRE, MTA, or MetroAccess, they would need to restart these allocations. The deadline is the 15th of the month; prior to the month, a ticket is needed.
Once the transit allocation is reset in the SmarTrip account, employees must log in to CommuterDirect.com or call 703-228-7433 for the next steps to place their order.
MTA Commuter Passes (Mobile APP) - Now, you can conveniently and securely access transit options from your smartphone. New CharmFlex passes are available (3- and 10-day passes) for non-consecutive workdays onsite. Click here to learn how to reallocate your benefits to CharmPass.
RIDESHARE – CARPOOL/VANPOOL
NIH offers a “free" Carpool and Vanpool Matching Service through the CAPS system. The NIH Rideshare program allows NIH employees, contractors, fellows, guests, and volunteers to find other people interested in carpooling and establishing vanpools who live and work near them. The program will search at certain distances from the home addresses of employees who work in similar locations. For those to join a vanpool, members can receive up to twelve (12) permits per calendar quarter. Other benefits of vanpool and carpool include:
- Designated carpool parking spaces that are easily accessible until 11:00 a.m.
- A reserved parking space for registered vanpools in a lot or garage of their choice
- Access to HOV traffic lanes for carpools and vanpools
- Qualification for the "Guaranteed Ride Home Program" sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
- Monetary savings on gas, auto insurance, and vehicle wear and tear!
Anyone interested in establishing a vanpool can contact nihparkingoffice@nih.gov for assistance.
BICYCLING
Cycling is a healthy, quiet, clean, economical, and fun way to get to work. Join the NIH Bicycle Commuter Club, which is sponsored by NIH R&W and has over 400 members.
Bikes can be taken on NIH Shuttles, Metro Rail, or most buses in the area. For more information, see Metro Bike-on-rail guidelines.
Enjoy bike facilities, such as bike lockers, showers, and emergency tool stations.
Suggested routes and route mentors are available to help you plan your commute to NIH. Take advantage of the excellent cycle paths in the local area where possible.
Get news regarding NIH bike commuter info by e-mail; join the NIH BCC listserv.
SHUTTLE OPERATIONS
The NIH Shuttles are a great option for traveling between the NIH on-campus buildings and the off-campus locations in the Rockledge, Fishers Lane, and the White Flint Tower.
Please note that changes have been made to the shuttles so check for new names, routes, and times. Visit the NIH Shuttle web page for ongoing updates and information at https://ors.od.nih.gov/pes/dats/nihshuttleservices/Pages/shuttle.aspx.
Additionally, an app can be downloaded to your phone and provides live tracking of each shuttle. Click on the above link and scroll to Download the "AMC Shuttle for NIH" app using the links below on your mobile device" for the iOS or Android version.
Apple App Store: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amc-shuttle-for-nih/id6736950828
Google Play: Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bishoppeaktech.android.amcnih
A new shuttle was created, the Building 10 Express Shuttle. This shuttle operated between the open parking lots 41 and 42 to the Building 10 South Entrance.