Oct. 17, 2025. Effective Oct. 1, 2025, the following mass transit and vanpool incentive increases apply to eligible employees, including employees headquartered out of state, in Bargaining Unit 5:
- Public transit (mass transit) passes
- 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
- Vanpool drivers and riders
- 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
For 2025, the maximum monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS is $325.
The combined maximum allowable monthly exclusion amount for employees who are eligible to claim both mass transit and vanpool shall not exceed the combined IRS maximum monthly exclusion amount.
California Code of Regulations section 599.936 (Mass Transit, Vanpool, and Bicycle Commuter Incentives – Excluded Employees) provides mass transit and vanpool commute language for excluded employees. The MOUs provide mass transit and vanpool commute language for represented employees. CalHR’s Commute Programs page and Frequently Asked Questions page provide general information.