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Frequently Asked Questions

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  • expand-collapse question categoryApplication Questions
    • QuestionHow do I apply to receive the monthly transit subsidy?

      • ​NIH Transhare​ applications can be submitted online, by email, or via fax at (301) 480-0854. 

        Please note, if you require a SmarTrip® card, ETSO will provide you with a SmarTrip card; however, you will receive the card to the mailing address listed in CAPS through the U.S. Postal Service in 5-10 business days. If you prefer, you can purchase a SmarTrip card from Metro or another retailer.​

    • QuestionHow do I determine my monthly commuting costs?

      • ​Depending on the transit provider, you may have to calculate your monthly costs. A good tool for this is WMATA’s trip planner which calculates one-way trip cost for a majority of the Washington, DC area. Then just multiply your one-way costs by 2 to get your daily cost. Once you have your daily cost, multiply it by the total number of work days in an average month to obtain your monthly costs. Any days you regularly telework should be subtracted from your total monthly commuting days.

        Work Schedule

        Typical Commuting Days in a Month

        8 hour days

        20

        AWS, 5/4/9

        18

        AWS, 4/10

        16

        Part time

        Varies


        Example: 8 hour days

        One-Way costs: $3.20 x 2 = $6.40 Daily x 20 work days = $128 monthly costs​

    • QuestionHow do I check to see if my application has been approved and processed?

      • If you submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirmation, stating that your application is being processed. Once your application has been approved, you will receive another e​​mail to complete your process and some further information. Our system will also generate automatic emails for modifications, renewals, and terminations. Please do not reply to these emails. Contact the NIH Parking Office if necessary at 301-496-5050.

        If you submit your application in person, you will receive confirmation before you leave the Parking Office.

    • QuestionI just found out about the program, but I have been taking mass transportation for some time. Can I be reimbursed for these expenses?

      • No, unfortunately we cannot provide reimbursements for personal funds ​previously spent on mass transportation prior to an employee enrolling in the NIH program.

    • QuestionDo I need a SmarTrip® Card if I ride in a Vanpool, MARC, VRE, Commuter Bus, Metro Access etc.?

      • Yes, the card is the mechanism that enables NIH to provide your monthly subsidy.  For these modes of transit you must use either CommuterDirect.com (VRE & MARC) or WMATA's allocation system (vanpools, commuter buses and all other non-SmarTrip,® enabled modes of transit). For more information please visit our page,  full listing is provided Using Your SmarTrip,® Card.

    • QuestionI don't seem able to apply for Transhare online (through CAPS). Why?

      • ​If you have parking privileges (a parking hanger), you will not be able to apply online until you turn in your NIH parking hanger. You can receive a temporary parking permit for your dashboard for the day you plan to drive in and return your permit to the Parking Office. While at the office to return the permit, it is recommended you apply for the NIH Transhare (or other susbidy program). Please email the NIH Parking Office, nihparkingoffice@ors.od.nih.gov to receive your temporary permit.

    • QuestionHow is the Transit benefit amount determined?
  • expand-collapse question categoryMember Questions
    • QuestionCan I use transit benefits to pay for parking?

      • No. Parking costs have never been allowed as part of the NIH Transhare Program.  This rule is outlined in our Transhare Policy, as well as in numerous other federal agencies. Program participants must certify annually to not use the benefits to pay for parking or receive parking benefits.

        The subsidy that NIH issues on SmarTrip cards will not be permitted to pay for parking at Metro facilities. Personal funds can be loaded in the stored value purse on the SmarTrip card to pay for parking. Even if you have $280 in your transit benefit purse, you cannot pay for parking with transit benefit funds!
    • QuestionWhat if I change positions at NIH? What if I change from a fellow to an employee?

      • As long as your NED record (or your NIH ID) remains active, you will continue to receive your transit subsidy.

         

    • QuestionHow can I update or change information in my NIH Enterprise Directory “NED” account?

      • ​Please check your NED (https://ned.nih.gov) record to confirm your work and personal contact information is up to date and ready to receive messages from NIH. To access and/or update your NED profile, please follow these steps:

        1. Click on the NED link (https://ned.nih.gov)
        2. Click on the link "Update Your Information"
        3. Log into NED
        4. Under the Self Service tab on the left side, select "Update My Record"
        5. Under the Personal Information section, confirm all personal contact information is up to date
        6. If changes need to be made, select the "Edit" button and update the information
        7. When finished, scroll to the bottom, check the "I Agree" box and select "Continue"
        8. Next, scroll to the bottom of the page and under the section titled, "AlertNIH Notifications," click on the "Edit" tab
        9. Confirm the personal contact information you want to receive emergency notifications to is included in the "Send AlertNIH Notifications" box by highlighting it and moving it using the arrow button
        10. Once complete, select the "Continue" button to return to the main screen
        11. Click on the "Submit" button to complete the update and exit your record
        12. On the main screen, logout of NED using the drop down box under your name.
    • QuestionMy monthly transportation cost is $60 per month. Can I take advantage of the new maximum subsidy amount?

      • ​No. You are only allowed to receive your actual commuter costs (e.g., $60) – that is, the costs for commuting between your home and worksite.

    • QuestionWith the new IRS Transit benefit increase will I have to make any changes in your CAPS system to my account?

      • ​No. The NIH Parking Office staff will automatically adjust subsidy benefits for those with a SmartBenefits account to reflect each individual’s transit cost based on their Transhare Application of record.

    • QuestionWhat if I do not have a SmarTrip account and I want to purchase a monthly pass? Will I have to take any action because of this?

      • ​Yes, if you ride MARC, VRE, MTA Commuter Bus, or in a vanpool and have an allocation assignment of benefits established with WMATA, there are additional steps you need to take.  

        Purchase of a Monthly Pass from 3rd-party. Follow the steps below to establish the monthly allocation by the 15th to purchase a commuting pass:

        IMPORTANT NOTE:
        All purchases are made through a 3rd-party (example: CommuterDirect.com); passes are not purchased through the NIH. Once you have established allocation, benefits will be transferred automatically to CommuterDirect each month until you cancel. The deadline to make or change allocations is the 15th of each month.  All approved benefits requested by the 15th of the month will be available to you on the first day of the following month.  The NIH Transhare Program does not reimburse for charges incurred, employees must allocate benefits correctly and timely.

        As an example, requests made October 1st through 15th, approved benefits will be available on November 1st. You can buy a monthly pass for November.  Requests made after the deadline of the 15th, between the 16th through 31st of the month will be available to you on the first day of the “month after next”; e.g., a request made on October 16 will be available on December 1, not November 1.  Although, MARC Train, Commuter Bus, or VRE commuting costs won’t be covered because the deadline has already passed to set up the allocation, Metrorail costs will still be covered.


        STEP 1: Set-up Allocation with SmartBenefit.com
        To set up a new allocation and transfer benefits to CommuterDirect, follow the instructions below: 

        1. Log in to your SmarTrip account (click here if you forgot your username or password);
        2. Click on the card number you use to enroll in the NIH Transhare Program ;
        3. Click "Manage SmartBenefits" (bottom right);
        4. Click on “Add Transit Provider” (bottom right);
        5. Enter the dollar amount, select provider “Commuter Direct (or your the provider),” and click Save.

        For assistance contact SmartBenefits customer support at 1-888-SMARTRIP or smartrip@wmata.com. Click here to learn the Transit Allocation process.


        STEP 2: Purchase Monthly Pass
        Once establish the allocation from WMATA's SmarTripcard to CommuterDirect.com, to purchase the monthly pass for MARC/VRE/MTA Commuter Bus transit systems, follow the instructions below. 

        1. Login or create an account at CommuterDirect.com;
        2. Select "My Account" and follow the on-screen instructions.
        3. After establishing your recurring order online, we strongly encourage you to contact Customer Service at 703-228-7433 or questions@commuterdirect.com and confirm your order is set up correctly.

        If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the NIH Parking Office at 301-496-5050 or by email at nihparkingoffice@mail.nih.gov.


    • QuestionCan I use Transit benefits on Amtrak, Uber or Lyft?

      • No. The transit subsidy cannot be utilized to cover commuting costs on Amtrak, Uber or Lyft.  Benefits can only be used to cover travel costs on the WMATA Metrorail, Metrobus, Montgomery County Ride-On buses, VRE, MARC Train or MTA Commuter Bus.​

        ​

    • QuestionMy SmarTrip card has been lost/stolen or it has stopped working. What should I do?

      • Lost/Stolen SmarTrip Cards, employee must purchase a new card. Submit modification to your NIH Transhare membership online at https://commuter.ors.od.nih.gov/. Once your request has been processed you will receive modification email from CAPS Admin.

        SmarTrip Card not working, if you have not used your card for 2 or more weeks OR your benefit balance is not showing, contact WMATA customer service at 1-888-SMARTRIP, request to have your card refreshed and benefits should download.

        For more information, please visit our page, Replacing Lost or Broken SmarTrip® Cards.

    • QuestionI have recently moved or my method of commuting has changed. How can I adjust my monthly commuting costs?

      • This can be done 24 hours a day online through our CAPS system. For more information or other options to change your information please see our Modification page.​

         

    • QuestionI need to drive to work today because I have a doctor’s appointment, or I need to take my child to school. How can I get a temporary parking permit?

      • NIH Transhare​ members are authorized up to six (6) temporary parking permits per calendar quarter (e.g. Jan.-Mar). Each day will be counted as one of the authorized six per quarter. Members cannot carry over unused permits from quarter to quarter. 

        Members who work on campus are authorized to print their temporary permits off online through the CAPS system. After logging in to the system, please choose “Print Temporary Permit,” and your permit will be generated to print at your computer. Please note that every time the submit button is pressed, another permit is charged against your six per quarter. It is strongly recommended that you ensure there are no problems with your printer before printing.
        Permit requests can be made up to 14 days in advance of the requested date.
        Satellite Permit requests for Rockledge I/II and White Flint 3 employees worksites may be made via email, or over the phone, 301-496-5050.  
    • QuestionMy address in CAPS is incorrect, what should I do?

      • ​The account information CAPS displays after you choose to perform an action is the information the system recieves directly from NED. You can either contact your AO for assistance to update it, or you perfrom a self-service NED update by following these instructions: Self-Service Update. Addtionally our system also allows your home address to be updated locally in CAPS through your requested transaction.

    • QuestionHow do I use transit benefits on a mode of transit that is not SmarTrip® enabled (e.g., vanpool, MARC, VRE)?

      • Instructions vary by provider, but generally an allocation to your desired transit provider must be established with WMATA. 

        IMPORTANT NOTE:
        All purchases are made through a 3rd-party (example: CommuterDirect.com); passes are not purchased through the NIH. Once you have established allocation from your SmarTrip Account, benefits will be transferred automatically to CommuterDirect each month until you cancel. The deadline to make or change allocations is the 15th of each month.  All approved benefits requested by the 15th of the month will be available to you on the first day of the following month.  The NIH Transhare Program does not reimburse for charges incurred, employees must allocate benefits correctly and timely.

        As an example, requests made October 1st through 15th, approved benefits will be available on November 1st. You can buy a monthly pass for November.  Requests made after the deadline of the 15th, between the 16th through 31st of the month will be available to you on the first day of the “month after next”; e.g., a request made on October 16 will be available on December 1, not November 1.  Although, MARC Train, Commuter Bus, or VRE commuting costs won’t be covered because the deadline has already passed to set up the allocation, Metrorail costs will still be covered.

        For more details and specific instructions for your transit provider, please see, Using your SmarTrip® card.​​

        ​

    • QuestionHow do I use my transit benefits?
    • QuestionWhy does the NIH Transhare Program make me recertify annually?

      • The annual recertification process allows NIH to comply with all regulations, policies, and guidance set for by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. The recertification allows the NIH to know each employee has understood their responsibilities under the program at least once a year.​​

    • QuestionI am leaving NIH, or I want to drive to work. How do I withdraw from the program?

      • You can be removed from the program at any time. Please visit our Termination page for more information or log into our CAPS system. If you know you are leaving in a few weeks, you can elect to have your termination take effect on a certain date. Once you are removed from the prog​ram, you will be eligible to receive other benefits, such as a parking permit, or a bike subsidy.​​

  • expand-collapse question categorySmarTrip Cards
    • QuestionDo I have to buy my own SmarTrip® Card?

      • Eligible employees are offered SmarTrip® cards when joining the NIH Transhare​ Program. Employees may elect to use their own personal card, or they may be issued one card by NIH. The NIH will not replace any card that is lost, stolen, or damaged; the employee must replace the card at his or her own expense.​​

    • QuestionWhere can I get a SmarTrip® Card?

      • SmarTrip® cards can be purchased at Metrorail stations with parking facilities, Commuter Stores, CVS stores, Metro online purchases, or at over 400 retail locations across the Washington, DC Metro area. Please view the WMATA Sales Locations page for a full listing.

        If you already own a SmarTrip® card, you will need to register it correctly with WMATA in order for the NIH Parking Office to be able to make your transit benefit available on your card.

        ​

    • QuestionHow do I use transit benefits on a mode of transit that is not SmarTrip® enabled (i.e vanpool, MARC, VRE, etc.)?

      • Instructions vary by provider, but generally an allocation to your desired transit provider must be established with WMATA.  For more details and specific instructions for your transit provider, please see, Using your SmarTrip® card on Transit Providers without SmarTrip® card readers.

        ​

         

    • QuestionWhy does my card display $0 balance at the farecard & pass machine?

      • All WMATA SmarTrip cards have multiple “purses” or accounts that store various funds or money.

        Transit Benefit Purse: The transit benefit purse is loaded on the first of the month by funds made available by NIH. It will hold as much as your certified monthly commuting cost (not to exceed $325). Funds from this purse are spent first, before personal funds, when commuting until the entire benefit allotment has been depleted.  Any unused funds do not rollover at the end of the month. These funds cannot be used for parking expenses (compliant with IRS regulations). Funds cannot be transferred into the personal stored value purse. You may view the balance at faregate, farebox, or online through a SmarTrip® Online Account, but not at farecard & pass machines.

        Personal Stored Value Purse: The personal stored value purse contains your personal funds for parking or transit and holds up to $300. Funds may be added at Metrostation kiosks or online. Funds on this purse do roll over from month to month. You may view the balance at farecard & pass machines, parking lot SmarTrip® targets, faregates (only after you have spent all transit benefit purse funds for the month), or online through a SmarTrip® Online Account.
        *Important Note: You must have personal funds in the personal stored value purse in order to leave a Metro parking facility. Even if you have $325 in your transit benefit purse, you cannot pay for parking with transit benefit funds!​

         

    • QuestionCan I use my iPhone and Apple Watch to pay for Metro rail, Buses, parking garages?

      • Yes, riders can now add a SmarTrip card to iPhone and Apple Watch, and simply hold their device near the card reader to pay anywhere SmarTrip is accepted: all 91 Metrorail stations in DC, Maryland and Virginia; all Metro parking garages and lots; all Metrobus routes; and all regional bus providers, including ART, DASH, Fairfax Connector, Cue, Ride On, The Bus, Circulator, Loudoun County Transit, and Potomac and Rappahannock Transit/PRTC.

        SmarTrip on iPhone and Apple Watch provides riders a "touch-free" experience and a safer way to pay. Riders do not need to touch card readers or vending machines, and with Express Transit, they can move quickly through stations and fare gates without the need to use Face ID, Touch ID, or wake their device.

        For more information view news release:

        https://www.wmata.com/about/news/SmarTrip-now-available-on-iPhone-and-Apple-Watch.cfm 

    • QuestionCan I use android phone and watch to pay for Metro rail and buses?

      • Yes, riders can now pay with android phones using Google Pay.

        Metro announced the launch of SmarTrip® on Google Pay, providing more options and more convenience to Android™ customers wherever they go on the Metro system. SmarTrip — the way to pay for Metro and all regional transit providers in the Washington, DC area — allows the ease to tap-and-go on any Android compatible phone using the Google Pay app.  For more information and helpful videos click here.

    • QuestionWhat is a WMATA SmarTrip® Card?

      • A SmarTrip® card is a permanent, rechargeable farecard. It's plastic, like a credit card, and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card.

        Using a SmarTrip® card is fast and easy. Instead of inserting a farecard through the Metrorail faregate slot, you simply touch the SmarTrip® card to the circular targets on top of or inside station faregates. Likewise, you can tap the SmarTrip® farebox on Metrobus to pay your fare with SmarTrip®.

        SmarTrip® cards can be used directly on the following modes of transit:

        Metro Train/Metro Bus
        DC Circulator
        PRTC - OmniRide
        ART (Arlington Transit)
        DASH (Alexandria Transit Company)
        CUE Bus System
        FAIRFAX Connector
        TheBus (Prince George’s County)
        Loudoun Commuter Bus
        Montgomery County RideOn
        REX (Richmond Highway Express)
        SmarTrip® cards cannot be used directly on the following modes of transit. You must use a transit benefit allocation for service on the following transit providers (further details can be found at our website, Using your SmarTrip® Card):
         
        Vanpools
        VRE
        MARC
        MTA Commuter Buses (Dillon, Keller, Eyre Buses)
        National Coach Works/ MARTZ
        Quick's Bus
        Metro Access 
    • QuestionHow can I use my Apple iPhone/Watch or Android on the Metro and Buses?

      • To use Apple/Android products on the Metro rail and buses you must follow the below steps:

        • Step 1:  You must create a digital SmarTrip Card in Apple wallet.  Click here to see instruction and videos to obtain a digital card in order to use SmartBenefits on Apple iPhone and Watch.  For assistance with this process contract SmartBenefits customer support at 1-888-SMARTRIP or smartrip@wmata.com;
  • expand-collapse question categoryProgram Information & Policies
    • QuestionWhat is the NIH Transhare Program?

      • The NIH Transhare Program is an employer-provided mass transportation fare subsidy that is offered to eligible employees who use mass transportation for their commute to and from work.  Employees are provided their monthly subsidy benefits electronically through WMATA registered SmarTrip® cards.

    • QuestionHow did the NIH Transhare Program originate?

      • The NIH first began offering a transportation subsidy in 1992 to employees. In 2000, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13150, “Federal Workplace Transportation,” which requires Federal agencies to provide employee incentives to use mass transportation to commute to and from work.

        ​

    • QuestionDo I have to turn in my parking permit in order to receive transit benefits?

      • Yes, if you wish to receive a Transportation subsidy, you must surrender any NIH issued parking privileges (e.g. NIH Parking Hanger, Passcard, Key Fob, etc.).  Employees may not receive parking and transportation benefits at the same time.  While on the NIH Transhare program, you would be eligible for six (6) temporary passes per calendar quarter.

        ​

    • QuestionAre vanpool riders authorized to receive monthly transit benefits?

      • Yes, if the vanpool is registered with WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, aka Metro).  NIH employees riding in a valid vanpool may have their benefits electronically allocated to their vanpool operator’s account. Contractors or guests may ride in any NIH vanpool, but will not receive the subsidy from NIH (please contact your employer to see what benefits they offer).

        ​

    • QuestionAre carpool riders authorized to receive monthly transit benefits?

      • No, unfortunately carpool riders or drivers are not authorized to receive any mass transportation benefits due to IRS tax code limitations. 

        ​

    • QuestionWhat is the maximum amount of subsidy I can receive?

      • Effective January 1, 2025, the maximum limit is $325​ per month.  This limit is determined by IRS tax code.

        ​

    • QuestionIs the transit benefit I receive taxable?

      • No. Transit benefits are not taxable and do not have to be recorded on your tax returns.

        ​

    • QuestionIs there an expiration date on my monthly transit benefits?

      • Yes.  Your monthly subsidy can only be used during the month they are issued electronically to your SmarTrip® Card.  Unused benefits will expire at the end of the month and be returned to NIH.

    • QuestionCan I give or sell my benefits to someone?

      • NO!  Transit benefits are used for traveling to and from your work location.  They are not transferable or intended to be used for your leisure.  Selling or distributing your transit benefits violates the self-certification on your submitted application.  This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States and making a false, fictitious or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to criminal prosecution under Title 18, United States Code Section 1001, Civil Penalty Action, providing for administrative recoveries of up to $10,000 per violation, and/or agency disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal.

        ​

    • QuestionCan I use Transhare Benefits for commuting that is work related (meetings, seminars, etc)?

      • No.  Executive Order 13150 states the program must follow IRS tax code.  The tax code defines commuting as travel to and from an employee’s home to their permanent worksite.  This does not include temporary duty (conferences, meetings, etc.)  If you would like to be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred on official duty, speak with your supervisor and Administrative Officer.

        ​

    • QuestionWhy is my transhare use being audited?

      • ​A transit benefit usage audit is conducted when we noticed a members usage history is lower than the declared amount cost when enrolling to the NIH Transhare Program.

        Our authority to audit accounts is granted in the Commuter Subsidy Programs Policy, NIH Manual Chapter 1470. We perform this audit to ensure our program is fiscally sound and responsible with government funds.

        While we understand employees have different circumstances and maybe on leave, travel, etc. it is expected that the transit benefits requested are used for their daily work commute.

        We request that an email with either your usage history report from your www.smartrip.com profile to verify the declared amount is correct OR an explanation of low usage of benefits to nihparkingoffice@ors.od.nih.gov within two weeks of the audit.  If a response is not received, transit benefits will be reduced or suspended without further notice.

        To modify your commuter cost on-line, log on to the CAPS system and update declared commuting costs at https://commuter.ors.od.nih.gov. 

    • QuestionWho is eligible to receive mass transit benefits?

      • To be eligible to receive a monthly mass transportation subsidy you must meet one of the criteria below:

        • A full time employee of NIH
        • An employee of another HHS agency, whose worksite is at the NIH Main campus and is not currently receiving a transit subsidy from HHS or any other agency
        • A fellow of NIH
        • A volunteer at NIH
        • Paid interns/students hired for the summer months

        The following types of employees are NOT ELIGIBLE to receive the subsidy from NIH:

        • Contractors
        • Guests of NIH
        • Any person, regardless of status that is receiving parking benefits
        • Any employee or similiar that is receiving any other transportation or parking benefit from another agency.

The Employee Transportation Services Office hours of operation are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with walk-in service Mon-Thurs only, closed 11:00 am to 12:00 pm for lunch. For more info email nihparkingoffice@nih.gov or call 301-496-5050. The office is located in Building 31, Room 1A11, next to the NIH Federal Credit Union.

Important Notice:  
Transhare Members should use their Transhare benefits when commuting to work.  Transhare Members may print a one-day temporary parking permit, in the event you must drive to work. 

Transhare members are eligible to receive six (6) temporary permits per calendar quarter. (Q1: Jan-March, Q2: April-June, Q3: July-Sept., Q4: October-Dec.)

To print a one-day permit, log in to https://commuter.ors.od.nih.gov/. This allows the driver to park in a General parking space. Please do not park in Red, Carpool, Disability, or other Reserved spaces unless your permit authorizes you to do so. 

Contact Information

Employee Transportation Services Office

Michelle Mejia
Program Manager
Telephone:(301) 496-5050
Fax: (301) 480-0854