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Transit Providers without SmarTrip Card Readers

​The following transit authorities accept SmartBenefits, but do not have SmarTrip card readers installed for direct use. An allocation must be established with WMATA (Metro) to send your benefits to your desired provider.


After the allocation has been established, all future months subsidies will continue to be directed from your card to your assigned 3rd party transit provider. Allocations must be set in the month prior to benefit dilvery  Allocations for MARC, VRE, MTA Commuter Buses, Martz, and Quick's, must be set up by the 15th of the month prior to the desired benefit month. Riders of a Vanpool or MetroAccess must establish an allocation by the 25th of the preceding month.  For example, if a participant desired to ride a MTA Commuter Bus beginning on November 1st, the allocation must be established through WMATA by the October 15th.

MARC, VRE, & DASH Riders

  1. Create an account with CommuterDirect.com to move your benefit, or a portion of your benefit from your card to Commuter Direct each month (you do this step only once). Deadline is the 15th of the month prior to benefit delivery.
  2. Select the light bulb icon "SmartBenefits" and followthe on screen instructions.
  3. At CommuterDirect, you can receive either MARC, VRE, & DASH ticekts.
  4. Receive your pass in the mail each month or arrange to pick it up at a commuter store location.
  5. CommuterDirect operates a very helpful call center. Please direct any questions to them.
Contact: CommuterDirect.com, (703) 228-7433 or questions@commuterdirect.com

Vanpool Riders

  1. Follow instructions at WMATA's (Metro) website for Vanpool and Transit Services Passengers. For detailed instructions, see WMATA'guide in step one.
  2. Create a SmartBenefit account with WMATA (Metro) to establish your benefit from your card to your vanpool provider each month. (you only have to do this step once)
    • Ask your Vanpool Coordinator for specific information regarding their provider and account number.
    • Allocation must be set up by the 25th of month prior to desired starting month.
  3. Benefits will be delivered directly to the Vanpool's account on the first of the month.
Questions? Contact the NIH Parking Office (301) 496-5050.

Riders of MTA Commuter Buses: Dillon's, Keller, and Eyre Buses

  1. Establish a Passenger Allocation account with Metro to move your benefit, or a portion of your benefit from your card to the MTA Commuter Bus each month. This allocation only has to be established once. The deadline is the 20th of month prior to benefit delivery. Instructions are availible in the MTA SmartBenefits Reference Guide.
  2. Buy a pass using your benefits on the MTA pass store.  (This step must be performed by the participant each month, by the 25th)
    • Find the pass you need for your commute and add it to the shopping cart.
    • When complete adding passes, proceed to checkout where a box "Add SmartBenefits to your Order," is displayed
    • Enter your SmarTrip card number and the amount you have allocated through Metro's website and click add to order.
    • If the price of pass equals the amount you allocated, you should see a zero balance in the subtotal. If your allocation is less than the full ticket price, you should see the diference in the cost listed in the subtotal. Click "Checkout."
    • Passes will be mailed via USPS at no cost.  Remember to complete these steps by the 25th of each month.
Contact MTA Web Store at (410) 454-7973 or transitstore@mta.maryland.gov or the NIH Parking Office at (301) 495-5050.

Riders of Martz Group / National Coach / Quick's

  1. Establish a Passenger Allocation account with Metro to move your benefit, or a portion of your benefit from your card to Martz Group, National Coach or Quick's Bus each month. (You only do this step once)

  2. Visit Vanpool and Transit Services Passengers.

    • Follow instructions for "Vanpool & Transit Services Passengers."

    • Select your Transit Provider (Martz, National Coach, Quick's, D&B, etc.)

    • Pick up your pass from the conductor on the first of every month.

Contact Martz Group (866) 466-2789, Quick's Bus: (800) 786-4192).

Riders of MetroAccess

  1. Read the SmartBenefits Metro Access Customer Allocation Reference Guide.
  2. Set-up or login to your SmartBenefits Passenger Allocation Account.
  3. Manage your account by utilizing MetroAccess EZ-Pay.

Questions? Contact the NIH Parking Office at (301) 496-5050.

Questions?

Call or email the  NIH Parking Office at (301) 496-5050.