Ride all year
for a lot less.
It's the reliable
alternative
to driving.

1. Can I purchase the Eco Pass for myself or family members?
   - The Eco Pass can only be purchased by employers for their employees as a group employee benefit package. Family members are not eligible.
   
   
2. Can Eco Passes be purchased only for employees who ride the bus?
   - No, employers must purchase one pass for every full-time employee at a given worksite.
   
   
3. Is an Eco Pass cheaper than a monthly pass?
   - Considerably. Your employer may, at their option, charge you one low cost per month for usage of the Eco Pass.
   
   
4. What if I terminate my employment?
   - Your Eco Pass is only good as long as you are an employee of an Eco Pass employer. All passes must be returned to your employer upon termination or employees/employers may be assessed a fee for non-return.
   
   
5. What if I lose my pass?
   - Report your lost pass to your employer. Lost passes cost $25 for a first-time replacement, $50 the second time. Payment for lost/stolen passes is made to RTD at the time you obtain your replacement pass. If your pass is stolen and you present a police report to RTD, it will only cost you $5 the first time. You will be required to pay a fee to your employer if your pass is lost upon termination.
   
   
6. What is "pre-tax income"?
   - Pre-tax income is the employee's gross salary prior to calculating FICA and federal withholding taxes. Transit passes purchased by the employee with pre-tax income is deducted from their salary prior to payroll tax calculations. Pre-tax income applies only when the employee pays for all or a portion of a qualified transit benefit.
   
   

7. What are the tax implications allowing employees to use pre-tax dollars to buy transit passes?
   - For the employer, there is a decrease in FICA taxes. For the employee, there is a decrease in FICA taxes and federal income tax.
   
   
8. What is a "tax-free fringe benefit"?
   - Employers are allowed to provide up to $115 per month as a tax-free transit fringe benefit to employees. A tax-free fringe benefit applies only when the employer pays all or a portion of a qualified transit benefit. Transit subsidies are business expenses for the employer, which are deductible for tax purposes. Any amount over the $115 per month per employee limit allowed by the IRS is considered taxable employee income.