Metro-PAL Advantage


Metro Advantage

The no cost benefit for employees AND employers.

Not too many benefits save money for both employees and their employers.  That’s just one of the reasons to sign up for Metro-PAL Advantage today.  It is also easy to implement, manage and use.

With Metro-PAL Advantage employees buy Metro-PAL Passes – through their employer – using pre-tax dollars.  Employees save approximately 30 percent on their public transportation costs.  Employers reduce their obligations to federal and state income tax, some unemployment taxes, and FICA.  There is no cost to participate, and no added fees or shipping charges.  Metro-PAL Advantage is an employee benefit that lowers payroll costs while saving money for each participating employee. 

Through Metro-PAL Advantage, for example, a systemwide 20 Trip All Zone Pass* is $58. Purchased with pre-tax dollars it has a real cost of about $38  Employers save more and more with each participant.  For every $1,000 deducted from taxable payroll, an employer saves approximately $76.50. Metro-PAL Passes can be used seven days a week.

The program is economical and convenient.  Let us show you . . .

* Note: The full amount of the pass will be deducted from paycheck as pre-tax.

The saving is based on the deductions being pre-taxed.


PAL Clients
If you currently use Paratransit Access Line, or are considering using PAL, the Metro-PAL Advantage is a great way for you and your employer to save.
Cost-Savings Benefit

With Metro-PAL Advantage your Metro PAL Pass is paid for with pre-tax dollars, which means that your employer deducts the cost of your pass from your paycheck prior to federal, state and FICA tax deductions.  This represents a savings to you of approximately 30 percent. 

Metro-PAL Passes are valid in Erie and Niagara Counties.  They are convenient and now, with Metro-PAL Advantage, they are even more cost-effective.

How do you sign up for the Metro-PAL Advantage Program?

You must complete a PAL Employee Participation Form and submit it to your human resources or payroll department.  The form authorizes your employer to deduct the cost of the passes from your earnings prior to the deduction of taxes.  Your employer then orders the PAL passes from the NFTA by the 15th of the month.

For more information, call 716.855.7216 | TDD / relay 711 or 800.662.1220.

Note: Lost passess are not replaced by NFTA-Metro.

PAL Employer Participation Form
PAL Employee Participation Form

Employers

Through the NFTA’s Metro Advantage Program for Paratransit Access Line, employers are able to offer their employees who are currently utilizing paratransit, the benefit of purchasing Metro PAL passes with pre-tax dollars. Money spent on pre-tax transit expenditures reduces an employer’s obligations to federal and state income tax, some unemployment taxes, and FICA.  Metro PAL Advantage can be offered to full and part-time employees.

The Metro PAL Advantage Program means tax savings to employers that quickly add up.  For example for every $1,000 deducted for taxable payroll, the employer saves approximately $76.50 in FICA.

Let Metro PAL Advantage work for you and your employees.  Passes sold through Metro PAL Advantage are valid for 10 or 20 trips, and valid throughout the system. This is a great opportunity for your employees utilizing paratransit to save.

Get Started in Four Easy Steps

  • Determine how many employees would like to participate in the program and have each individual complete an Employee Participation Form.  The Internal Revenue Service requires employers to retain these forms on file.  (Employee Forms do not need to be forwarded to Metro)
  • Deduct the cost of the passes from participating employee paychecks before income tax FICA, Social Security and other taxes are deducted.
  • Once you have received the Employee Participation Forms from your employees, list the number of passes you required for each category indicated on the Employer’s PAL Pass Form.  You may call or fax your order to Metro’s Cash Management Office (phone: 716-855-7202, Fax: 716 – 855-7311).  Or, you can mail your Employer PAL Pass Form to the address listed below:
    NFTA-Metro Cash Management Office
    Attn: Metro Advantage
    181 Ellicott Street
    Buffalo, NY 14203
  • Contact the Cash Management Office to arrange for pick-up, delivery and payment method (check, cash transfer or credit card) of the PAL passes.  When PAL passes are received, the company is responsible for distribution of the passes to their participating employees.

Orders should be placed by the 15th of the month.

For more information on the Metro PAL Advantage Program please call the Paratransit office: 716-855-7216 TDD / relay 711 or 800.662.1220..

Note: Employers should maintain copies of the Employee PAL Pass Forms in the respective employee’s file for tax purposes.

 

Compare Savings and Take Advantage

PAL PASSES ~~ EXAMPLE
Withour pre-tax deduction Withour pre-tax deduction
 
10 Trips ($29)
10 Trips ($29)

Salary

$1,000.00

$1,000.00

Pre-tax purchase

$0.00

$29

FICA (7.65%)

$76.50

$74.28

Income taxes (30%)

$277.05

$229.02

Take home pay

$646.45

$627.70

After-tax purchase

$29

$0.00

You have

$617.45

$627.70
Savings per purchase  
$10.25
 
20 Trips ($58)
20 Trips ($58)

Salary

$1,000.00

$1,000.00

Pre-tax purchase

$0.00

$58

FICA (7.65%)

$76.50

$72.06

Income taxes (30%)

$277.05

$260.98

Take home pay

$646.45

$608.96

After-tax purchase

$58

$0.00

You have

$588.45

$608.96
Savings per purchase  
$20.51