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Mass Transit: Federal Participation in Transit Benefit Programs

RCED-93-163 Published: Sep 01, 1993. Publicly Released: Sep 01, 1993.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed federal participation in state and local transportation benefit programs, focusing on the: (1) extent of participation; (2) cost and funding mechanisms; and (3) effect of federal participation on commuting behavior.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter Status Comments
If Congress chooses to reauthorize federal participation in transit benefit programs, it should consider establishing a central coordinating authority to serve as a clearinghouse for federal agencies and organizations establishing or participating in transit benefit programs to obtain guidance, information, and clarification on participation requirements.
Closed – Implemented
In reauthorizing the transit benefit program (P.L. 103-172), Congress directed the President to designate an agency to be the central coordinating authority.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Transportation To improve management and administration of agency programs, the heads of the federal agencies participating in transit benefit programs should review the implementation of management control procedures at offices providing transit benefits to employees on a periodic basis to ensure that participation is limited only to eligible employees, and that assets are properly accounted for and safeguarded.
Closed – Implemented
DOT has the largest number of employees participating in an employer-provided transit benefit program. Five federal agencies, representing 55 percent of the employees participating in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, informed OMB and the appropriate congressional committees that they would implement this recommendation.
Department of Transportation To improve management and administration of agency programs, the heads of the federal agencies participating in transit benefit programs should develop plans to measure and evaluate the effect of agencies' transit benefit programs on employees' commuting behavior, including increased transit use and changes in vehicle occupancy, and provide this information to the appropriate state and metropolitan planning organizations.
Closed – Implemented
DOT has the largest number of employees participating in an employer-provided transit benefit program. Five federal agencies, representing 55 percent of the employees participating in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, informed OMB and the appropriate congressional committees that they would implement this recommendation.

Full Report

Topics

Air qualityEligibility criteriaFederal aid for transportationstate relationsFringe benefit costsInternal controlsMass transitMass transit fundingMotor vehicle pollutionState-administered programsUrban transportationTransportation policies