FAQ: Access-A-Ride

How does the Access-A-Ride Plan work?

The Access-A-Ride Plan allows you to fund your Access-A-Ride trips with an OMNY-compatible Edenred Commuter Card. You are eligible for the Access-A-Ride Plan only if you are enrolled in the MTA Access-A-Ride Paratransit Service or other paratransit service. Within 7-10 days of enrolling in the Access-A-Ride Plan, you will be mailed your Edenred Commuter Card. The card is funded with your pre-tax and post-tax payroll deductions. The card's monthly administrative fee of $1.50 will be paid by the City.

To learn more about the MTA's transition to OMNY for Access-A-Ride, visit the MTA OMNY for Access-A-Ride page.

To enroll in the Access-A-Ride Plan, fill out the appropriate form below and submit to your Transit Benefit Coordinator. You will also need to show valid identification and proof of your enrollment in a paratransit service. 

• City of New York Employees
• CUNY Employees
• Department of Education Employees

Who is eligible to enroll in the Access-A-Ride Plan?

Employees who are enrolled in the MTA Access-A-Ride Paratransit Service or other paratransit services are eligible to enroll in the commuter benefits Access-A-Ride Plan. 

How do I enroll in the Access-A-Ride Plan?

Submit a completed Access-A-Ride enrollment form to your Transit Benefit Coordinator. You will also need to submit valid identification and proof of enrollment in a paratransit service. 

After you are enrolled in the AAR Plan, you will be mailed an Edenred Commuter Card within 7-10 days to the address you have on file. This card is OMNY compatible and can be used to fund your Access-A-Ride trips. To learn more, visit the MTA OMNY for Access-A-Ride page.

To enroll, fill out the appropriate form below and submit the form, along with your valid identification and proof of enrollment in a paratransit service, to your Transit Benefit Coordinator. 

City of New York Employees
CUNY Employees
Department of Education Employees

DoE employees can also enroll by obtaining an enrollment form from the DoE website and mailing it to the Department of Education, 65 Court Street, Room 1003, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Who should I contact regarding my Access-A-Ride Plan enrollment?

Please contact your agency's Transit Benefit Coordinator regarding enrollment, changes, deductions, and cancellations. For additional information or for questions, visit the Edenred website or call Edenred Customer Service at 833-584-8109 Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm EST.

Are there any service fees Access-A-Ride Plan?

The $1.50 monthly administrative fee is paid by the City.

How is my W-2 affected?

Your taxable wages in Box 1, social security and Medicare wages in Boxes 3 and 5, and state and local wages in Boxes 16 and 18 will be reduced by the deductions from your pay for the Access-A-Ride Plan. The $1.50 fee paid to Edenred on your behalf by the City will be shown in Box 14 as a fringe benefit and added to taxable earnings in Boxes 1, 3, 5, 16, and 18.

What happens if I skip a payroll deduction?

If you skip a deduction, your participation in the Access-A-Ride Plan is not affected. You will continue to be enrolled in the program until your eligibility for New York City Transit paratransit service expires or until you cancel your Access-A-Ride Plan participation.

What happens when I go on vacation?

You can change or suspend your payroll deductions with your agency's Transit Benefit Coordinator.

How do I resume my cancelled or suspended Commuter Benefits payroll deduction?

Please contact your agency's Transit Benefit Coordinator. Because of payroll timeframes, your deductions may not occur for up to two payroll periods.

Will I get a refund when my participation in the Access-A-Ride Plan ends?

No. The Internal Revenue Code does not permit any funds remaining in your account to be refunded to you. The payroll deductions taken for this program must be used to pay your qualified transit expenses.

What happens when I leave City employment?

If you are leaving City employment, you have 90 days after your separation date to spend the remaining funds in your account.

Will my enrollment carry over to a new agency?

Yes, your enrollment will carry over if you switch to another City agency. Your deductions will continue in your new agency.

In most cases, you will not need to re-enroll under your new agency. You may need to re-enroll to start payroll deductions if you switch from the Department of Education, a CUNY community college or a weekly paid agency like the Department of Sanitation to another City agency. However, your account at Edenred will stay intact.