Through the Metro Advantage Program, employers are able to offer their employees the benefit of purchasing monthly Metro Transit Passes utilizing pre-tax dollars. Money spent on pre-tax transit expenditures reduces employer obligations to federal and state income tax, some unemployment taxes, and FICA. Metro Advantage can be offered to full and part-time employees.

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

Let Metro Advantage work for you and your employees. The benefits of the program include: tax savings, reduced automobile expenses, reduced parking burdens and parking costs, as well as reliable transportation to and from work.

Passes sold through Metro Advantage are valid for the full month for which they are issued. Monthly Passes can be used on an unlimited basis in Erie & Niagara Counties, Monday-Sunday, on bus or rail, for work, shopping, entertainment, etc.

Good for business and good for the community. Every full Metro bus means 40 fewer cars on the road. Every full railcar means 150 fewer cars on the road. Transit use increases air quality and reduces traffic congestion.

1. Determine how many employees would like to participate in the program and have each individual complete an Employee Participation Form. The IRS requires employers to retain these forms on file. (Employee Forms do not need to be forwarded to Metro)
2. Deduct the cost of the passes from participating employee paychecks before income tax, FICA, Social Security and other taxes are deducted.
3. Once you have received the Employee Participation Forms from your employees, list the number of passes you require for each category indicated the Employer Monthly Pass Form. You may call in or fax your order to Metro's Cash Management Office (phone: 716-855-7202 | fax: 716-855-7311) TDD / relay 711 or 800.662.1220.. Or, you can mail your Employer Monthly Pass Form to the address listed below:
   

   NFTA-Metro Cash Management Office
   Attn: Metro Advantage
   181 Ellicott Street Buffalo, NY 14203

4. Contact the Cash Management Office to arrange for pick-up, delivery and payment method (check, cash transfer or credit card) of the passes. When Monthly 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 preceding the month for which the passes will be valid.
   
   For more information on the program please call the Metro Advantage Office: 716.855.7499 | TDD / relay 711 or 800.662.1220.
   
   Note: Employers should maintain copies of the Employee Monthly Pass Forms in the respective employee’s file for tax purposes.