ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGES
While hybrid work models have become the norm for many businesses post-COVID, there's still a growing recognition of the value of in-person time at the office. But it's no secret that employers asking for in-office days face resistance, with many benefit administrators turning to commuter benefits to help bring employees back.
Yet the rigidity of commuter benefits, coupled with the outdated user experiences of traditional providers, often result in loss of funds, low adoption, and complaints from employees.
*Average figures calculated by Clever in “The Best and Worst Cities for Commuters in 2022.”
Why Lively Commuter
Not the clunky commuter benefits you're used to.
Only Lively offers a highly flexible commuter benefit with rare add-ons to enhance any commuter program, and guides employees so they only contribute what they need—all while remaining simple to use.
The commuter experience employees want, but rarely get
Designed to adapt to unforeseen circumstances with minimal effort, with features like changing allocated funds from parking <> transit and more.
Built-in guidance and behavior analysis so employees contribute only what they need to reduce loss of funds.
Optional coverage for other common costs associated with going to the office—but are not covered under traditional commuter benefits—such as micromobility transportation and meals.1
Features built to work for you, not against you
Flexible Funding - Effortlessly adapts to unexpected work-life changes; make early elections to access more funds if you need them immediately, or transfer funds between commuter accounts if commuting needs change.
Contribution Guidance - Identifies trends in spending and funding habits to help reduce over or under contributing.
Timely Notifications - Real-time notifications of important information to take timely action.
Mobile App Access - Easily manage commuter benefits on your mobile device.
Account Holder Platform - Easily view commuter plan details, manage your card, check reimbursement claims, and more.
Easy purchases with your Lively card—right from your digital wallet
Employees can access commuter funds using their Lively VISA® Benefit Access card, or online by filing a reimbursement claim through their Lively account.
Forgot your card? That’s an old-school problem. Add the Lively card to your digital Mobile Wallet, and simply tap-to-pay anywhere you go.
Available on Apple, Google, and Samsung devices.
"58% of employees believe their employer should pay for commuting costs, and lunch too.”
Source: Newsweek “Millennials Want Their Employers To Pay For The Commute.” 2023.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
Add rare and highly sought-after commuter perks
Combine Lively Commuter with our ‘Reconnect’ Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) to level up your program. This powerful mix offers highly sought-after coverage for other expenses related to working from the office on a post-tax basis.
Plus, Lively offers it completely free when you bundle with Lively Commuter, and you can customize your LSA to cover exactly what you need.
Gas (Primary residence <> work)
Ride-share (Cabs, Uber, Lyft)
Bikes-share costs (Citi-Bike, Divvy, Lyft bike, etc.)
Scooter share
Bike expenses (Tires, lights, helmet, etc.)
Meals (Coffee, Snacks, Breakfast, Lunch, or Diner)
Plus more
1. These perks are provided through the Lively 'Reconnect' Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA), which is a post-tax account separate from pre-tax commuter benefits as defined by the IRS.
THE LIVELY BLOG
Learn more about commuter benefits
THE LIVELY BLOG
Learn more about commuter benefits
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is covered under pre-tax commuter benefits?
Pre-tax commuter benefits typically cover expenses related to commuting to work using public transportation or qualified parking expenses. This can include costs such as:
Public Transportation: Expenses incurred for taking buses, trains, subways, ferries, or vanpools to commute to work.
Parking: Costs associated with parking your vehicle at or near your workplace, including parking fees or charges for garages.
Carpooling: Some pre-tax commuter benefit programs may also cover expenses related to carpooling, but this can vary depending on the specific plan and regulations.
These benefits are usually offered through an employer's commuter benefits program, allowing employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible commuting expenses, thus reducing their taxable income and saving money on taxes.
What is a commuter benefit ordinance?
A commuter benefit ordinance is a law or regulation typically enacted by local governments or municipalities that requires certain employers to offer commuter benefits to their employees. These benefits usually involve providing pre-tax options for commuting expenses such as public transportation or parking costs.
Where are commuter benefits mandated?
As of May 2024, commuter benefits are currently mandated in several cities across the United States, including:
New York City
San Francisco
Washington, D.C.
Seattle
Berkeley
Richmond
New Jersey (statewide mandate)
These mandates require employers to offer commuter benefits programs to their employees, typically including options for pre-tax deductions to cover commuting expenses such as public transportation or parking costs.