Employee MBTA Benefits

Regular Boston University employees can enjoy 50% subsidized monthly MBTA passes and a dollar-for-dollar match for pre-tax dollars set aside for parking at transit stations.

MBTA Pass Benefit

Boston University will cover half the cost of monthly MBTA passes ordered through BU by regular faculty and staff.

 

Am I eligible to participate?

All regular BU faculty and staff who order a monthly MBTA pass through the University are eligible for the subsidy. Eligible employees may only purchase an MBTA pass for their personal use, and may not simultaneously hold a BU-provided MBTA pass and a BU-provided parking permit (except the Flex Permit).

 

How do I enroll?

Employees must submit new pass orders on or before the 10th of the preceding month. After this date our office is not able to stop or modify a payroll deduction. For example, October pass orders must be submitted on or before midnight (ET) September 10.

Follow these steps to enroll in and manage your Employee MBTA Pass Benefit:

  1. Log in to BUworks
  2. Click the Employee Self Service tab
  3. Select Campus Services
  4. Click “Apply/Manage MBTA Pass and MBTA Parking Benefits” from the appropriate campus services section

How do I get the pass?

  • MBTA Passes are mailed via USPS First-Class Mail to the home mailing address you have provided Boston University.
  • Employees with Bus, Express Bus, and Link Passes will be mailed one pass that will function month-after-month.
  • Employees with Commuter Rail, Senior, and Ferry Passes will be mailed a new pass each month. These passes cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
  • To verify or change your home mailing address, please follow these instructions.
  • Passes are mailed on or around the 24th of the previous month and should be delivered before the 1st of the month for which they are active.

Note to All New MBTA Pass Holders: Do NOT use your Charlie Card before the first day of the benefit month. Otherwise Doing so will cause an additional month to be charged to you at the regular (non-subsidized) rate.

Transit Station Parking Benefit

Regular BU faculty and staff members who order a monthly MBTA pass through Boston University are eligible for the following benefit:

  • Set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to pay for your work-related parking costs at MBTA transit stations (up to $150 per month); AND

  • BU will match your election dollar-for-dollar

Note: Those already enrolled in this benefit do not need to do anything further. Your previously selected amount to be set aside will be reduced to half and BU will then match this new amount dollar-for-dollar.

 

Am I eligible to participate?

Enrollment is open to any regular employee enrolled in the Employee MBTA Pass Benefit (see Employee MBTA Pass Benefit eligibility requirements above).

 

How Do I Enroll?

Follow these steps to enroll in and manage your Transit Station Parking Benefit:

  1. Log in to BUworks
  2. Click the Employee Self Service tab
  3. Select Campus Services,
  4. Click “Apply/Manage MBTA Pass and MBTA Parking Benefits” from the appropriate campus services section
  5. Select the type of MBTA pass you wish to order if you have not done so already
  6. Calculate the cost of monthly parking at your chosen transit station (MBTA Parking Monthly Rates)
  7. Enter half that cost (your contribution) and BU will contribute the other half (up to $150)

The money you elect to be withheld pre-tax as well as a matching dollar amount from the University will be credited to an account in your name to be used to pay for your work-related parking expenses at MBTA transit stations.

Weekly paid employees will pay a prorated weekly amount during the first 4 weeks of every month.

You may change the amount of your contribution at any time.

 

How Do I Use Money in My Pre-Tax Transit Station Parking Account?

P&A Group administers the program and will provide you with a debit card that can be used to pay for your MBTA transit station parking expenses right at the point of service. When you incur a work-related parking expense at a transit station, simply swipe your Benefits Card at the point-of-service and the funds will automatically be deducted from your pre-tax parking account.

If you are enrolled in both the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Health or Dependent Care and the Transit Station Parking Beneift, your contributions will be automatically added to the appropriate account for use with your current debit card as they are withheld from your pay.

Any unused balance remaining in your Transit Station Parking account at the end of the calendar year will roll over to the next year. This is not a use-it-or-lose-it account like the FSA

If you terminate employment with Boston University, the remaining balance in your Transit Station Parking account will be forfeited. You can continue to pay for parking expenses through the end of the month in which you terminate employment.