We’re pleased that you are considering the Super Fare Share transit fare matching program! Super Fare Share will encourage your staff to take transit to work. You will be providing a valuable benefit to your employees who help reduce traffic congestion, and in turn you’ll be rewarded with improved recruiting and retention for your business. And you may be eligible for a 50% tax credit from the State of Maryland for your out-of-pocket costs!

Super Fare Share is available only to businesses located in one of Montgomery County’s four Transportation Management Districts (TMDs). These TMD's are successfully operating in North Bethesda (which includes parts of North Bethesda, Bethesda, Rockville and Kensington), Friendship Heights, Silver Spring and Downtown Bethesda.

Contact the North Bethesda Transportation Center at 301 770-8108 today to find out how your company can take advantage of Super Fare Share!

Benefits - What's In it for you?

The Benefits of Super Fare Share are many whether you are an employer, employee -- even the community as a whole benefits!

Companies	Employees	Communities
Receive tax credits Increased Productivity Higher Morale Lower turnover Improved recruitment	Gain tax-free income Stress-free commutes No parking hassles Reduced vehicle wear Lower gas expenses	Reduced congestion Improved air quality Stronger local economies More vibrant downtowns A better quality of life

How it Works

The Super Fare Share Program will match an employer’s monthly contribution toward employee transit or vanpool costs for nine years, with the first year virtually free (employer pays $1 per employee for up to $115 in transit passes each month). During subsequent years the County will match the employer contribution on a sliding percentage basis.

Year 1	$1 deal	County provides up to $115.00 per month per employee
Years 2 – 5	50 – 50 match	County provides up to $57.50 per month per employee
Year 6	60 – 40 match	County provides up to $46.00 per month per employee
Year 7	70 – 30 match	County provides up to $34.50 per month per employee
Year 8	80 – 20 match	County provides up to $23.00 per month per employee
Year 9	90 – 10 match	County provides up to $11.50 per month per employee

The purpose of Super Fare Share is to encourage employers to continue to offer a transit benefit to their employees once the County’s contribution has ended.

Things to Remember

Your organization’s yearly subsidy limit is $30,000. If your company orders large quantities of fare media and hits the $30,000 limit, you must wait until the anniversary date of the following year to receive more subsidies. You may want to limit your monthly Metrochek order to an amount that will allow for 12 months’ worth of subsidies for all participating employees.
Your anniversary/effective date will be the date on the pink copy of the “Montgomery County Super Fare Share Employer Application” which is returned to you.
If your organization is a current or past participant in Montgomery County's regular Fare Share program, the time you participated is deducted from your eligibility for Super Fare Share (i.e., one year in regular Fare Share reduces your participation in Super Fare Share to eight years). Your organization's 'lifetime' participation in any fare subsidy program is nine years, or up to $270,000.
Metrocheks, Ride On fare passes and Ride On tokens are all available under this program. Metrocheks can be exchanged for all other types of fare media at exchange outlets listed in this packet. Metrocheks may be exchanged for MARC tickets at MARC stations that have ticket agents; or you may order MARC tickets by mail by calling 888-226-5515.
The total available benefit is $115/month per employee. This is currently the maximum tax free benefit that an employer can provide to an employee under Federal law.
Under Federal law, each employee may receive no more than their actual transit cost per month, for their own commute. Your organization should monitor the program internally for appropriate use of the fare passes by using the “Employer-Paid Benefit Program Certification of Fringe Benefits” form included below under 'Resources/Downloads'.

Getting Started

You need the forms listed below to get started with Super Fare Share. For a quick start please contact Mirza Donegan at 301-770-8108 or mdonegan@nbtmd.org.

After obtaining a paper copy, please complete the Employer Application. In the box labeled “Monthly Transit Subsidy Amount for Years 2 through 9,” enter the total amount per month that each employee will receive as a transit benefit (company plus County contribution). Please send the Employer Application and any questions to your TMD Representative listed on the previous page.
Use the enclosed sample Commitment Letter to produce a letter on your organization’s letterhead. This document is available electronically here. Please copy the complete text of the letter, and have it signed by the appropriate company officer or designee. You may email the letter to your TMD Representative, along with your other documents.
The Year 1 Order Form will get you started with your first order. Your permanent Customer Number will be assigned after your initial order. All subsequent order forms must have this number to ensure timely processing. Be sure to include your company check with each order. The order form and check should be sent to your TMD representative; please make the check payable to “Montgomery County, Maryland.

Resources/Downloads

Metrochek Exchange / Information Resources – a list of sites in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia where employees may exchange Metrocheks for other fare media.
Employer-Paid Benefit Program Certification of Fringe Benefits - for your company records.
Maryland’s Commuter Tax Credit Program
Order Forms
Years 2 – 5 Order Form
Year 6 Order Form
Year 7 Order Form
Year 8 Order Form
Year 9 Order Form

Fare Media Delivery Rules

Fare media orders are sent within 2 weeks of receipt. Orders of less than $100 are mailed. Orders of more than $100 are delivered by courier on the following schedule:

Monday & Thursday – Bethesda / Rock Spring Park / Friendship Heights
Tuesday – Silver Spring
Wednesday – North Bethesda / Rockville / Kensington
Friday – No Deliveries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “fare media” mean?
Fare Media are tickets, tokens and passes used to ride transit. This is what your company buys through the program.
What if I hire additional employees who want to participate?
If you hire new employees after your first order, you can add them at a pro-rated amount. For example, if you have been in the program for two months, you can order 10 months of fare media and pay $10 for that employee to participate for the rest of the first year.
What if a participating employee leaves?
You would adjust your subsequent order by ordering less fare media.
Do all my employees have to participate?
No, you can join with just one employee.
Who already participates in the SFS program?
Click here for a list of companies already enrolled in the SFS program.
Can we use email?
Yes, all of the forms (except the Employer Application) can be emailed to mdonegan@nbtmd.org. The Commitment Letter should have an electronic signature if you decide on the email option.
How can my company take advantage of the 50% State tax credit?
Enrolling in the program is simple and should be discussed with your tax advisor. Click here for more information.
Who are the SFS Super Heroes?
Every member of the Super Fare Share program is a Hero, that could include you! Don't worry, spandex leotards are not required.

Still Not Sure? Have Questions? Feel free to call your NBTMD SFS Representative
Mirza Donegan at 301-770-8108 or mdonegan@nbtmd.org

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