Long-awaited benefit becomes reality
NYC members flock to enroll in NYS-Ride



ALL ABOARD — PEF Director of Contract Administration Robert Carrothers explains the details of the NYS-Ride pre-tax transportation program to members in the New York City area in February. More than 1,700 members have enrolled. — Photo by Richard Dillard 

By DEBORAH A. MILES

The turnout was phenomenal. 

Hundreds of PEF members showed up at more than a dozen PEF meetings in New York City to learn the details of the pre-tax transportation program dubbed ‘NYS-Ride.’

More than 1,700 PEF members have already signed-up for the program, according to Robert Carrothers, PEF director of contract administration. 

“PEF has long understood the importance of this benefit to members in the downstate region,” Carrothers said. “That popularity was proven by the overwhelming enrollment. Once word of the program and its benefits spreads, I suspect enrollment will climb.”

NYS-Ride is designed to help members who work in any of the city’s five boroughs reduce monthly commuting expenses by allowing them to pay those costs with pre-tax dollars, up to a $105 monthly limit.

The program also provides flexibility in terms of vendors and various fare options.
Carrothers said during the last round of contract negotiations, PEF made this benefit a priority and succeeded in getting the state to make it available to all of its employees who work in New York City. The original plan limited participation to employees working in four agencies.

More pocket money 
One of the first to enroll was Heather Spencer, a policyholder services representative at the state Insurance Fund. Spencer lives in Brooklyn and has a half-hour commute to lower Manhattan for her job.

“I signed-up for the program the first day it was available,” Spencer said. “I use public transportation every day. My monthly MTA pass was $70 and increased to $76 in February. Now, I’ll be able to save 40 percent.”

Frank Hernandez, a tax auditor, estimates he will save $504 a year. With a 40-mile commute to Manhattan that takes 1 hour and 45 minutes, Hernandez now spends $319 per month on transportation costs. By enrolling in the NYS-Ride program, he will save $42 a month.

Ken Bailey, a disability analyst, endures an hour commute to work from his home just outside Newark, New Jersey. Like the other members who attended the informational meeting, Bailey was thrilled the program finally became a reality.

“It’s long overdue. We’ve been asking for this benefit for quite a while. Everyone is enthusiastic. It’s like a dream come true.”

Plans to expand program
Carrothers said the first phase of the program is limited to mass transit and vanpool services for New York City employees, with plans to have it made available to all employees throughout the state. And on the horizon, the union hopes the program will expand to provide payment for qualified parking expenses with pre-tax dollars.

“This is possible, but probably some time away from implementation,” Carrothers said.
“The immediate popularity of the NYS-Ride program proves how valuable these pre-tax benefits can be for our members,” he said. “PEF will continue to work on making these benefits fully available to all our members.”