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Try carpool, Metro for earth-friendly travel

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Carpooling is a way to decrease traffic, save money on gas and even help with unnecessary air pollution. Why fit one person into a car when you can seat four or five? Scott now has parking dedicated to carpoolers at various locations on base making it an easy way to travel. Parking spaces are marked with carpool only signs.

Another avenue is RideFinders, located on the web at www.ridefinders.org. RideFinders is a free ride matching service that enables commuters to find a ride to work or college in a carpool or vanpool. Users save on commuting costs while eliminating traffic and pollution in the region. RideFinders works with more than 1,200 participating employers and colleges to help their employees and students rideshare at no cost. RideFinders also has a SchoolPool program that helps parents form carpools to take their K-12 students to and from school.

If neither of these works for you, there is the Metro Transit system. The Air Force and the Department of Transportation have a memorandum of agreement to offer fringe benefits to users of the Metro system. The program is open to all military and civilian employees and must be used for transportation to and from work only.

The Air Force purchases transportation vouchers for employees using direct transportation fringe benefits up to $60 per month. Individuals interested in the program need to complete the U.S. Department of Defense Transportation Incentive Program application form and submit the completed form to the finance office, then use the Metro as the primary means of commuting. Individuals are required to sign a certification statement as part of the transit benefit application process.

Once approved the individual will be notified by e-mail of the distribution dates of the Metro checks and will be able to pick up the passes Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the finance customer service lobby on the established dates.

For more information about the Metro fringe benefits call the 375th Comptroller Squadron customer service section at 256-1851 e-mail finance@scott.af.mil.