Public Transportation Benefit Program Published Feb. 29, 2012 By 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Gas prices on the rise? The Public Transportation Benefit Program can help. You may be eligible to receive up to $125 a month subsidy for riding in a vanpool. Vanpooling saves you money on gas, vehicle maintenance, depreciation and insurance. With traffic getting worse and increasing fuel costs, commuting to work is getting more expensive and stressful. By joining a Vanpool, you could eliminate commute stress and dramatically reduce the cost of driving to work. Executive Order 13150 requires Federal agencies to establish transportation incentive program in order to reduce Federal employee's contribution to traffic congestion and air pollution and to expand their commuting alternatives. The purpose of the program is to encourage commuting by mass transportation and provide incentives to members/employees. Under this program, participating employees can receive, "transit vouchers" in amounts equal to their personal commuting costs, not to exceed $125 a month. Benefits are tax free and do not have to be claimed. To be eligible for this program you must be: · A civilian, military or NAF employee paid and employed by the Department of Defense · Members of the Reserve Components who are performing active duty for more than 30 consecutive days · Riding full time in an approved Vanpool · Contractors are eligible to be members of the Vanpool however, are not eligible to receive the monthly subsidy. Current Vanpools run from Tehachapi/Bear Valley, Lancaster/Palmdale, Santa Clarita and the Lower Valley. Please check the Public Announcements under Official Notices on the Edwards Portal as space availability changes monthly. For information on creating a new vanpool contact Mr. Mark Klee at 661-277-8172.