Do You Know These MARC Safety Tips?

Listening to MARC's safety announcements can be like listening to the stewardess tell you how to hook up your oxygen masks in the event of an emergency. However, I've been paying attention this year and guess what? There is an order to the evacuation process.

First, if possible move to the next car.
If you can't, then open the door using the emergency switch.
Finally, if all other evacuation routes are blocked, exist through the Windows.

See, it's easy as 1-2-3.

MARC Riders Advisory Council Meetings

Reminder for fellow MARC passengers on all lines, if you have issues, concerns, or suggestions, make use of MRAC. Here is their meeting schedule:

The MARC Council’s regular meetings, as required in the Council’s by-laws, are held on the third Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November. All meetings begin at 4:30 p.m.

The last MARC Riders Advisory Council meeting was held on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 231 of the Hall of the States building located at 444 North Capitol Street, N.W, Washington, DC.

For further information or special assistance needs for the meeting, please contact:
Dave Johnson, Chief Customer Communications Officer
MARC Train Service
1515 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-454-7020
Email: djohnson25@mta.maryland.gov




John Hovatter & Dave Johnson

 

FYI - Federal Transit Benefits Are Retroactive

Some good financial news comes in the latest news articles regarding Federal Transit Benefits being upped from $125/month in 2012 to $245/month in 2013 and clarifying retroactive payments for 2012.

"The bill Congress approved earlier this month to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff” included two key changes to these transit benefits. It increased the monthly cap while also noting that the benefits could be applied retroactively." (Washington Post)

The Examiner notes that "Transit riders will be able to receive even higher federal transit benefits -- and get back money for last year's transit costs."

"The $240 limit will be retroactively applied to 2012, replacing the $125 ceiling that was in place that year (before the bill was approved)." (Washington Post)

The IRS is instructing employers on how to accomodate this change so that employees can benefit. (See the IRS instructions in Notice 2013-8.)

MARC/VRE riders going the distance are most likely to benefit. "A monthly pass on VRE, for example, can cost as much as $294.10, while MARC trains can cost up to $350 a month."

 

Important Note - Those Using Commuter Benefit Plans

For those using commuter benefit plans, the fiscal cliff impacted the maximum we could spend, pre-tax, in 2013 which was less than in prior years. Current approvals have raised the maximum back to $240 per month.

If the change affects you, check into it so you can up your 2013 limit.