NYS-Ride

What is the NYS Commuter Benefit? 

The cost of traveling to and from work is unavoidable. But with NYS-Ride (pronounced NICE-Ride) you may save about 30% on your public transportation expenses however you ride; bus, subway, train, ferry - you save! NYS-Ride is a state employee benefit that allows you to use pre-tax dollars on a variety of qualified public transit and parking costs. And if you commute to work by mass transportation, you are helping contribute to a greener environment. 

What does this mean for you? 

You will realize immediate tax savings in every NYS-Ride paycheck deduction! By enrolling in NYS-Ride, you will reduce your taxable income for eligible commuter expenses that you already pay for out-of-pocket, by paying for these with whole dollars before federal, state, and social security taxes are taken from your salary. 

Fees

There are no fees for employees who participate in NYS-Ride. NYS-Ride is sponsored by the Office of Employee Relations (OER). It is funded by OER in cooperation with the state public employee unions funds this benefit. The Legislature and Unified Court System also contribute on behalf of their employees.

NYS-Ride Administrator 

The State of New York retains the services of a commuter benefits administrator to manage NYS-Ride. Edenred Benefit Solutions (Edenred) is the NYS-Ride administrator. Contact Edenred directly by phone at (888) 235-9223 or by email [email protected].

Pre-Tax Monthly Allowable Limits for 2025

Transit Expenses: $325/month

Parking Expenses: $325/month

You may have both qualified transit and parking expenses up to the monthly limits for each. If your monthly commuter costs are more than the $325, the balance of your commuter costs will be purchased with post-tax payroll deductions. Transit funds cannot be used for parking services and parking funds cannot be used for transit purchases.   

The NYS-Ride program is available to employees of the:

• Executive Branch
• Unified Court System
• Legislature

If you are a part-time employee, you are eligible as long as your paycheck can support your deduction. Complete eligibility list by negotiating unit.

New employees are eligible to enroll immediately, you just need your Employee ID, Department ID, and Negotiating Unit. After two consecutive payroll deductions, your commuter pass will be ordered.

Eligibility is limited to the mass transit and parking expenses you incur while commuting between your home and your workplace. 

Eligible Transit Expenses

The pre-tax commuter benefit can be used to purchase transit fares. This includes transit by:  

• Bus
• Train
• Subway
• Ferry
• Vanpool
• Water taxi
• Para-transit van
• Carpool options from most Ride Share Services

Public Transportation (Mass Transit) Provider List (subject to change) 

Eligible Parking Expenses

The pre-tax parking benefit can be used to pay a third-party parking vendor at eligible locations. This includes parking at: 

• Parking meters
• Visitor or guest lots
• Park & Ride lots
• Municipal lots 

Ineligible NYS-Ride Expenses 

The NYS-Ride benefit cannot be used to pay for ineligible transit and parking expenses. The following are not NYS-Ride eligible: 

• Office of General Services Employee Parking Program
• Parking fees paid through payroll deduction or payment to the employer
• Costs that have been or will be paid by your employer, such as for a business trip
• Bicycles
• Taxis
• Personal car, personal van, or casual carpool
• Tolls or E-ZPass
• Fuel
• Traffic tickets
• Mileage 

Please use the link below to create an Edenred account for monthly orders. The NYS Company ID is 11559.

ENROLL HERE

Deadline to Enroll or Make Changes

If you wish to make, change, or cancel your order, you must do so online by 11:59 p.m. EST by the first of the month or by phone by 8 p.m. EST on the weekday on or before the first of the month. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST, except holidays.

Deadline by Benefit Month

You must place your order by the first of the month, two months before the commuting month. 

Manage your NYS-Ride account. Your online dashboard displays an overview of your commuter benefits account. From your dashboard you can:  

• View and manage your receipt orders
• Edit or delete pending orders
• See reminders
• Place an order
• Update your profile information
• Contact Edenred support
• Receive important notifications about your frequently used transit options

Edenred login

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City is transitioning from issuing physical MetroCards to the new contactless fare payment system called OMNY. The MTA will no longer offer new MetroCard products to commuter benefit providers. This includes Pay-Per-Ride, 7-day passes, and new Annual Transit Cards. 

MTA Sunset Timeline:

To avoid any interruptions to your benefit, please change your enrollment, and elect the Commuter Card - which is compatible with the new OMNY fare payment system. You may still be able to buy a MetroCard with the Commuter Card, but the MTA is pushing for riders to use OMNY for fare payment. 

Note: Access-a-Ride vouchers are not impacted by this change. 

How is my W-2 affected?

The wages reported on your W-2 form are reduced by the total of your NYS-Ride orders. No other forms are required.

Can I sign up to get my transit pass or vanpool voucher purchase automatically without re-ordering my pass every month?

Yes. Set your order to recur “Every Month” as the frequency when you make your first purchase and you will automatically receive your mass transit fare media, vanpool voucher, or pass every month until you make a change or miss a payroll deduction. 

What if I miss the deadline? 

If you make, change, or cancel your order online after 11:59 p.m. EST on the first of the month, it will be considered an order for the next deadline. For example, if you order a pass on August 2, your order will become effective for the transit pass you will receive for November.

Why can't I make changes after the deadline? 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations require that orders be made on a prospective basis. Changes or cancellations must be made by the first of the month.

What if my commute or commuting costs change? 

You can change your participation any time up to the monthly enrollment deadline. For example, if you move, transfer to another work location, or your commuter costs change, you may adjust your order.

What happens in a three-pay-period month? 

The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) takes two equal deductions from your biweekly paycheck to cover the cost of your transit pass. In three-pay-period months, OSC will not take a deduction from the third paycheck.

What if I go on leave without pay or miss a payroll deduction? 

If you miss a deduction for any reason, your NYS-Ride orders will be canceled. When you return to the payroll, you can re-enroll in your NYS-Ride account or by calling customer service at (888) 235-9223. 

Who should I contact if I have further questions about NYS-Ride?

For more information on how NYS-Ride works, contact Edenred directly. You can call toll free to (888) 235-9223. You also can send an email to [email protected].

What if I resign, retire, or leave state service?

NYS-Ride is a commute-to-work program. If you retire, resign, or end your employment with the State, you will not be eligible to take part in the NYS-Ride program. 
 

Commuter Card

What is the Commuter Card? 

The Commuter Card is a debit card that you use to make purchases at participating ticket vending machines. Choose the amount of money to pre-load on the card each month and use it to buy different fare options depending on your commute. Any unused balance remains on the card for future use. 
 

How is money loaded on to the Commuter Card? When is the money loaded on to the Commuter Card?

The Commuter Card is funded by payroll deduction. The card is funded on the 20th of the month prior to the benefit month. Any unused funds will remain available for future use and roll over from month to month. The card cannot be transferred between employees or employers and has a maximum balance limit of $2,500.

Where can I use the Commuter Card? 

You can use the Commuter Card to buy tickets at ticket vending machines of many transit providers throughout the state. Providers include MTA, NJ Transit, NY WaterWay, CDTA, Adirondack Trailways, Niagara Frontier, and Amtrak. A full list of service providers, or by calling Edenred Customer Service at (888) 235-9223.

How do I activate the Commuter Card? 

You can activate your card in one of 2 ways: 

1. Online: https://card.edenredbenefits.com/.
2. On the phone: By calling 855-518-3746, and choose option 1. 

You will need to enter your 16 digit card number and the date of birth on file with Edenred. The date of birth can be found on the 'Profile' section in your NYS-Ride account. 

What happens if my Commuter Card is lost, damaged, or never received in the mail? 

If your Commuter Card is lost or damaged, log into your NYS-Ride account and go to "My Account", and then "Order History" and select the option for "Lost/Stolen Card." Edenred will issue you a new card in 7-10 business days.  If you buy a pass out-of-pocket, you will be reimbursed up to the available balance on the card. 

For MTA users: The MTA has a Balance Protection Program for customers who buy their 30-day MetroCard with the Commuter Card. If you lose your 30-day MetroCard, the MTA can deactivate the card and refund a pro-rated amount of your unused card back to your Commuter Card that you can use to buy a new MetroCard. Cards purchased with cash are not protected. Visit the MTA website for more details about the MTA’s Balance Protection Program.   

What if my Commuter Card account balance doesn't cover the cost of a transaction?

If your account balance is less than the transaction amount, the transaction will be declined. You will need to use another form of payment to complete this transaction. 

What happens to my Commuter Card balance if my commuting pattern changes or I go on vacation?

With the Commuter Card, you can purchase different fare options depending on your commute. Any balance you don't use in a month stays on the card for use in a future month. The Internal Revenue Code does not permit any funds remaining in your account to be refunded to you. 

How do I manage my Commuter Card?

You can check your Commuter Card balance anytime by going to the dashboard or Card Management page in your NYS-Ride account. You can activate, request a replacement or report a problem with your Commuter Card right from your dashboard. More details about your prepaid card such as transaction history can be found on the Card Management page.

You can set your order to recur monthly, and your order will be placed automatically each month. You won't have to log back into your account unless you want to make changes to your order. If there are any months that you do not need your order, simply select 'Yes', and select the month you do not need from the calendar.

You can make changes to your order from your dashboard. Under the 'Options' button, select 'Edit Order' or 'Delete Order'. Changes to your order can be made up until the last day to place an order. The deadline date is displayed on the dashboard. 

How do I add the Commuter Card to my digital wallet?

The Commuter Card is now available for Apple pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. To add your Commuter Card to your smartphone's mobile wallet to easily and conveniently pay at transit card readers, follow these instructions: 

• Log into your NYS-Ride account.
• On the side menu, click on Card Management.
• Go to the Mobile Wallet section of the Card Management page and enter your phone number and email address (for verification purposes).
• Go to your mobile device and add the Commuter Card to your smartphone's mobile wallet according to the instructions for your device.  

What happens to my Commuter Card if I leave state service?

If you leave state service, you have 90 days after your separation date to spend the balance on your Commuter Card. Log into your NYS-Ride account to check your card balance by going to the dashboard or 'Card Management' page. Once the Commuter Card becomes inactive, any remaining funds will be removed from the Card and the pre-tax funds will be given back to New York State. If you have any remaining post-tax funds, they will be returned to you.

Can I use my Commuter Card for purchases other than transportation?

No, the Commuter Card can only be used to pay for commuter costs at transit provider vending machines and online. If the card is used at an unapproved merchant, the transaction will be declined.

How do I switch my current order to the Commuter Card? 

Log into your NYS-Ride account or call Edenred Customer Service at (888) 235-9223. 

What are the benefits of using the Commuter Card?

The Commuter Card allows you to easily change or pause monthly contributions to your card. It makes buying monthly transit passes quick, easy, and convenient—just swipe and go. It is also a form of contactless payment, meaning you tap and go or upload it to your digital wallet on your smartphone. Be sure to log into your NYS-Ride account and make changes before the order/cancellation deadline.

For MTA commuters: if you use your Commuter Card to purchase a 30-Day Unlimited Ride or 7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCard it will be covered by the MetroCard Balance Protection Program. Cash purchases are not protected. See the Balance Protection Program on MTA's website for more details. 

Public Transportation and Vanpool Vouchers or Passes

How and when do I receive my public transportation fare media, such as bus, subway, or rail passes, fare cards, or vanpool vouchers or passes?

Your fare media or vanpool vouchers or passes will be sent directly to the address you provided and will arrive before the end of each month. You do not pay postage or handling fees. 

What if I don't receive my fare media or vanpool vouchers or passes?

Contact Edenred at (888) 235-9223. You must contact customer service to report the missing order within the first three business days of the benefit month. 

What if my fare media or vanpool vouchers or passes arrive but then are misplaced or lost?

Lost fare media or vanpool vouchers or passes cannot be replaced. You will need to buy replacements on your own, on a post-tax basis. Commuter Cards are replaceable at any time if they are lost or stolen. 

Other Questions

Will my participation in NYS-Ride affect my employee benefits?

Depending on your income, you may receive a slightly lower Social Security benefit at retirement because of your NYS-Ride pre-tax contributions. NYS-Ride orders reduce the earnings reported to the Social Security Administration. Therefore, the NYS-Ride reduction of social security taxes could slightly reduce Social Security benefits for people below the Social Security wage maximum. 

NYS-Ride orders do not reduce contributions or benefits under your retirement plan, life insurance, or Medicare.

Can I make commuter purchases if I retire, resign, or end my employment with the State? 

NYS-Ride is a commute-to-work program. If you retire, resign, or end your employment with the State, you cannot make an order and no further purchases will be processed for you. Any mass transit fare media, vanpool vouchers, or passes you already bought before you left state employment will be supplied as scheduled, but you cannot receive a refund for any purchase that you are unable to use. Additionally, refunds cannot be issued for any unused pre-tax deductions after you leave state service.