Faculty and Staff MTA Benefits

Maryland Transit Administration Updated Service Adjustments

Updates to MTA service enhancements and route modifications together with frequency improvements and runtime adjustments information is provided using the link. In addition, a list of bus stop modifications is provided, which includes stop additions, discontinuations, and reactivations. Two new fare products will also be introduced. Please review the MTA website for all changes.

Enrollment

The current MTA stickers expire 7/2023.  Information pertaining to program has not been received.

Free MTA Ridership Extended to All Permanent (Regular) UMB Staff and Faculty

In order to take part in this benefit, eligible employees need to click on the link below. Employees will need to choose the reason for the sticker - first time (new) sticker, yearly renewal or replacement due to lost card and choose an approval department (designated school or department). Once completed,  employees will be contacted with pick-up instructions through the designated school or department.

MTA Sticker Application

Eligibility

Eligible UMB employees include permanent (regular) faculty and staff who have a UMB OneCard.  Contingent I and II employees, postdoctoral fellows, research fellows, graduate research and teaching assistants, and students are not eligible for this benefit.

Ineligible employees (excluding students and graduate research/teaching assistants) may continue to participate in the MTA Commuter Benefit via payroll deduction.  Submit a completed application and payroll deduction card to the Cashier's Office at the SMC Campus Center, Lower Level, Room 002D. You must use payroll deduction to pay for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) pass. As of Jan 1, MTA passes are distributed through the MTA CharmPass Mobile app.

All eligible students can enroll in the All Access College pass program through a Mobile Charm pass account using the link below.

All Access College Pass - Students

Once enrolled, you will receive instructions on how to use your Mobile Charm Pass account.

What’s Included

A new Maryland law provides free ridership services for all permanent (regular) USM faculty and staff members on Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) systems.  Permanent (regular) status UMB faculty and staff can use the Light Rail, the Baltimore Metro Subway, local bus service, and the Baltimore regional commuter bus service lines (120, 150, 210, 215, 310, 320, 410, 411, and 420) at no charge by presenting their UMB OneCard with the affixed MTA sticker.

What’s Not Included

The free Mass Transit Benefit currently does not include the MARC trains, any special event buses, or non-Baltimore region commuter buses.

How to obtain a MTA sticker

MTA stickers are available to eligible (see above) UMB employees.

Lost or Replaced UMB One Cards

If a UMB One Card was lost or was replaced and had a MTA Sticker affixed to it, click on the  MTA Sticker Application link above and indicate replacement due to lost card and the approval department (designated school or department) and you will be contacted with pick up instructions through the designated school or department.

MARC Train Pass

UMB and PTS are pleased to offer a program for MARC riders. This convenient and affordable program will allow UMB employees to benefit from pre-tax savings, along with the convenience of picking up your monthly pass from the PTS cashier's office.All MARC passes must be paid for via payroll deduction and passes are ordered a month prior to ticket month. Please see the MTA payroll deduction schedule on this page for more information.

 

Check out the brochure for more information and submit a completed application to the cashier's office at the SMC Campus Center, Lower Level.

MTA Pass

If you are considered ineligible for the MTA sticker, you can receive a monthly MTA pass for the following transportation services:  Bus system in Premium Commuter zones 1 through 4 and MARC Train System. MTA passes cannot be purchased in conjunction with employee parking using a bi-weekly deduction.

As of Jan 1, MTA passes are through the MTA CharmPass Mobile app. Enrollment is through the commuter pass application form and payroll deduction.

For more information and to learn about the new fare prices, visit MTA.

 

Payroll Deduction

Your pre-tax deduction will appear on your next pay stub.

Download the MTA Payroll Deduction Schedule .

Benefits

  • Reduce gas expenses
  • Reduce driving time and wear on vehicle
  • Save on federal, state, and FICA taxes

Savings (based on 28 percent tax bracket):

 

Cost

Monthly MTA Commuter Zone 2 pass $136
 University contribution $28
 Cost before tax benefit $108
 Average 28 percent federal + 7.5 percent state + 7.65 percent FICA tax $46.60
 Savings based on pre-tax deduction  $74.60

This represents a 55 percent cost savings off the retail price of $136.

Savings (based on 15 percent tax bracket):

 

Cost

Monthly MTA Commuter Zone 2 pass $136
 University contribution $28
 Cost before tax benefit $108
 Average 15 percent federal + 7.5 percent state + 7.65 percent FICA tax $32.56
 Savings based on pre-tax deduction  $60.56

This represents a 45 percent cost savings off the retail price of $136.