MacDill's Transportation Incentive Program

  • Published
  • By Airman First Class José G. Colón
  • 6th Comptroller Squadron
Have you heard your friends and co-workers talk about going to Finance to get their free bus passes and not known what they're talking about? If you are a DoD employee and have not signed up for MacDill's Transportation Incentive Program, you are missing out on a benefit that could save you hundreds of dollars a month in gas and tolls. Currently, MacDill has about 1,450 personnel who take advantage of a daily, hassle-free express bus ride or van pool, which is 100 percent paid for by Uncle Sam. Do I have your attention?

The TIP has its origins from Executive Order 13150, which seeks to reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption and emissions by military members and federal employees by mandating a public transportation program that offers assistance with commuting costs. The TIP provides free monthly express HARTline bus passes to commuters who live in the Brandon, Valrico, Riverview and Fishawk areas east of Tampa. For express bus schedules within Hillsborough county, visit www.gohart.org and click on "Maps/Schedules," and then "Commuter Express." For those who live in other places in the greater Tampa area, TIP also offers a vanpool program. The van pool program provides commuters, in groups of five or more, funding to secure a passenger van for their daily commute. For information on the van pool program visit www.tampabayrideshare.org/vanpool.

There are a few stipulations to the TIP program. Participants may not seek personal financial gain through the trade or sale of bus passes or van pool transportation vouchers. And TIP applications shall be based solely on costs associated with the use of a qualified mode of transportation to and from MacDill in conjunction with employment by the Department of Defense. The following are eligible for TIP benefits:

1) DoD active duty military members
2) DoD Reserve Military members (including both Reservists and National Guard Members) on active duty status
3) DoD Federal civilian employees
4) DoD NAF personnel

The TIP program is managed by the 6th Comptroller Squadron, Financial Services Office in bldg. 149 on Hillsborough Loop. After identifying the service or bus route that will best serve you, please e-mail finance.services@macdill.af.mil to get a copy of the application. Applications must be returned in person so eligibility requirements can be verified using the members DoD issued ID card. Applications can be dropped off any duty day and are processed at the end of each month. Riders typically are able to pick up their bus pass/van pool vouchers by the third week of the month after they apply.