State of California

  M E M O R A N D U M

  REFERENCE CODE:
  2002-024

  DATE:
  April 11, 2002

  TO:
  Accounting Officers
  Employee Relations Officers
  Personnel Officers
  Travel and Relocation Liaisons

  FROM:
  Department of Personnel Administration
  Policy Development Office

  SUBJECT:
  Vanpool Incentives for Bargaining Units 6 and 21

  CONTACT:
  Charlotte Gehringer, Personnel Management Analyst
  (916) 323-6938
  FAX: (916) 324-9393
  Email: CharlotteGehringer@dpa.ca.gov


  The purpose of this memorandum is to inform departments 
  that transit subsidies have been extended to eligible 
  vanpool riders in Bargaining Unit 6 (effective February 19, 
  2002) and Bargaining Unit 21 (effective January 31, 2002). 
  
  Employees riding in vanpools may now be eligible for a 
  State-paid 75% reimbursement of the monthly fee, up to a 
  maximum of $65 per month.  For the primary vanpool driver, 
  and in lieu of the vanpool rider reimbursement, the State 
  shall continue to provide $100 per month to each State 
  employee who is a primary vanpool driver.
  
  Employees headquartered out of State and eligible for 
  subsidies may participate in the vanpool program.  To 
  qualify for the vanpool subsidy, a vanpooler must 
  participate in a vanpool that meets both the Internal 
  Revenue Service (IRS) Code Section 132 and Department of 
  Personnel Administration (DPA) Rule 599.936 criteria:  
  
  -    To meet the IRS Code definition of "commuter highway 
  vehicle," the seating capacity of the van must be at least 
  six adults (not including the driver), and at least 80% of 
  the mileage use must reasonably be expected to be for 
  purposes of transporting employees in connection with 
  travel between their residences and their places of 
  employment, on trips during which the number of employees 
  transported for such purposes is at least one-half of the 
  adult seating (not including the driver).
  
  -    Consistent with IRS law, the DPA rule specifies that a vanpool is 
  a group of 7 to 15 people who commute together.  This criterion 
  applies to both rank-and-file and excluded employees.  Therefore, to 
  qualify for the vanpool subsidy, the vanpool must have enrolled at 
  least seven riders, including the driver. 
  
  If you have any questions regarding transit or vanpool subsidies, 
  please contact Charlotte Gehringer at (916) 323-6938 or e-mail her at 
  CharlotteGehringer@dpa.ca.gov.
  
  
  
  
  Bob Painter, Chief
  Policy Development Office