B-106623, DECEMBER 13, 1951, 31 COMP. GEN. 208

B-106623, DECEMBER 13, 1951, 31 COMP. GEN. 208

TRAVELING EXPENSES - TAXICAB FARES - TRAVEL BETWEEN PLACE OF LODGING AND PLACE OF DUTY UNDER PARAGRAPH 44 OF THE STANDARDIZED GOVERNMENT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN PLACES OF LODGING OR WHERE MEALS ARE TAKEN AND PLACES OF DUTY IS CONSIDERED AS INCLUDED WITHIN THE PER DIEM IN LIEU OF SUBSISTENCE, AND THEREFORE, TAXICAB FARES INCURRED BY AN EMPLOYEE FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN HIS PLACE OF LODGING AND PLACES OF TEMPORARY DUTY MAY NOT BE REIMBURSED UNDER THE SPECIAL CONVEYANCE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH 11 OF THE REGULATIONS.

COMPTROLLER GENERAL WARREN TO E. J. STIVERS, BUREAU OF THE BUDGET, DECEMBER 13, 1951:

REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER OF NOVEMBER 15, 1951, REQUESTING DECISION WHETHER YOU MAY CERTIFY FOR PAYMENT THE VOUCHER THEREWITH TRANSMITTED INSOFAR AS IT PROPOSES PAYMENT TO JOHN A. STACY FOR FOUR TAXICAB FARES INCURRED ON OCTOBER 15, AND 24, 1951, COVERING ROUND TRIPS BETWEEN HIS HOTEL AND PLACES OF TEMPORARY DUTY. YOU EXPRESS A DOUBT AS TO WHETHER THE SAID TAXICAB FARES ARE INCLUDED WITHIN THE PER DIEM IN LIEU OF SUBSISTENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 44, STANDARDIZED GOVERNMENT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, OR ARE REIMBURSABLE ITEMS UNDER PARAGRAPH 11 OF THE SAID REGULATIONS, WHICH LATTER PARAGRAPH READS AS FOLLOWS:

SPECIAL CONVEYANCE. THE HIRE OF BOAT, AUTOMOBILE, TAXICAB, AIRCRAFT, LIVERY, OR OTHER SUCH CONVEYANCE WILL BE ALLOWED IF THE USE OF SUCH FACILITIES IS AUTHORIZED OR APPROVED AS ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE GOVERNMENT WHENEVER THE EMPLOYEE OR OTHERS RENDERING SERVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT IS ENGAGED ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS WITHIN OR OUTSIDE HIS DESIGNATED POST OF DUTY. IN THE CASE OF HIRE OF TAXICABS, REIMBURSEMENT MAY BE ALLOWED FOR THE ACTUAL FARE PLUS TIPS OF 10 CENTS WHERE THE FARE IS $1 OR LESS OR 10 PERCENT OF THE FARE INCREASED TO THE NEXT MULTIPLE OF 5 WHERE THE FARE EXCEEDS $1.

WHILE BUREAU OF THE BUDGET CIRCULAR NO. A-7, REVISED, DATED OCTOBER 8, 1951, MADE SOME SLIGHT REVISION IN PARAGRAPH 44 OF THE STANDARDIZED GOVERNMENT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, IT DID NOT ELIMINATE FROM THAT PARAGRAPH THE PORTION OF THE DEFINITION OF PER DIEM IN LIEU OF SUBSISTENCE WHICH REQUIRES THAT "TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN PLACES OF LODGING OR WHERE MEALS ARE TAKEN AND PLACES OF DUTY" BE CONSIDERED AS INCLUDED WITHIN THE PER DIEM IN LIEU OF SUBSISTENCE. AS THE TAXICAB FARES IN QUESTION WERE BETWEEN PLACES OF LODGING AND PLACES OF DUTY, AND AS NO FACTUAL INFORMATION HAS BEEN FURNISHED WHICH WOULD WARRANT PAYMENT THEREOF UNDER PARAGRAPH 8 (B) OF THE TRAVEL REGULATION, THEY MUST BE CONSIDERED, UPON THE PRESENT RECORD, AS INCLUDED IN THE PER DIEM ALLOWANCE. ACCORDINGLY, THEY ARE FOR ELIMINATION FROM THE VOUCHER BEFORE IT MAY BE CERTIFIED FOR PAYMENT.