Grissom employees participate in 'vanpooling' Published June 1, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Carl Berry 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., -- With the cost of fuel rising one group of Grissom employees decided to participate in the Department of Defense Transportation Incentive Program that was initiated in 2002. The DOD Incentive Program requires federal agencies to establish transportation fringe benefit programs in order to reduce Federal employees' contribution to traffic congestion and air pollution and to expand their commuting alternatives. "The purpose of the program is to provide financial incentives to employees to encourage commuting by mass transportation," said Master Sgt. Ethan Minor, a telecommunication specialist with the 434th Communications Squadron. Federal employees, including regular Air Force service members and reservists in military status, must meet certain requirements to receive the maximum $230 monthly stipend. "The vehicle must be a highway vehicle with a capacity of at least six adults excluding the driver," said Anthony Dickerson, 434th Air Refueling Wing chief cost analyst. "The vehicle must be owned and operated either by public transit authorities or by a person in the business of transporting persons for compensation or hire." Reservists on military orders for more than 30 days are entitled to the same benefits; however, traditional reservists will not qualify for the program, because a participant must use the vehicle 50 percent of the month. "The biggest issue that arises is scheduling vacation time, because to receive the monthly stipend a participant must use the vehicle 50 percent of the month," said Sergeant Minor. "The group must also use the vehicle 80 percent of the month." In addition to being in a group of at least seven people, interested participants must submit an application that documents his or her commuting expenses, and federal employment status. More general information, as well as an application can be picked up from Sergeant Minor for those interested in participating in the program. The 434th ARW is the largest is KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Stay connected, visit Grissom on Facebook and Twitter.
