APTA is encouraging its members to reach out to their riders and their congressional representatives to help extend the maximum transit commuter tax benefit at the level equal to the parking benefit. The transit commuter benefit puts transit/vanpool benefits presently at $230 per month; however, the transit/vanpool portion of the benefit will revert to $120 per month when the provision sunsets at the end of the year.

Unless Congress acts, a financial bias in the tax code against transit use will be reinstated at a time when working people are still dealing with the daily burden of an uncertain economy.

You can take two steps to help extend the transit commuter tax benefit:

* Call or write your congressional representative or senator. Mention that the average household spends 18 cents of every dollar on transportation, and that public transportation provides an affordable, and for many, a necessary alternative to driving. Remind your congressional officials that this benefit helps their working-class middle-income constituents.

* Reach out to your riders who follow you on Facebook and Twitter and ask them to write their member of Congress or senator.

Look for an e-mail from APTA that discusses nationwide outreach on this issue. APTA will provide a template release, a sample letter, and other tools. For more information, contact Mantill Williams.

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