Benefits eligible Faculty, Staff, Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows can purchase tickets from Philadelphia regional transit authorities, a with a 5% pre-tax discount through the Health Equity Commuter Card. Federal tax law also allows employees to use up to $315 of their pay for this benefit in “pre-tax” dollars. 

The Commuter Card is accepted at Transit Agencies, fare vending machines and designated transit retail centers that sell transit passes, tickets, fare cards and accept the VISA card for payment. Health Equity Commuter Cards may not be used to purchase the PATCO Freedom Card.  

This card can also be used at Penn garages and lots that allow visitor parking. It is intended to cover parking costs associated with your commute to work, and not for parking costs incurred for work-related travel expenses and non-work-related events and activities. (Note – the card is not intended for permit parkers at Penn parking facilities.) Consult with Health Equity for information on other commuter parking facilities where your card may be used. 

 Benefits realized from using the Commuter Card are: 

• The security of electronic funding.  
• It can link to an existing travel wallet. 
• You can choose the exact amount you wish to put on the card.  

To place an order for a Commuter Parking Card, visit the Health Equity Commuter Portal. You will be prompted to enter your PennKey and password to enter the site. If you wish to purchase a Parking Card, you should enroll in Commuter than Parking.  

IMPORTANT: All orders pertaining to Commuter Cards must be submitted no later than the 10th day of the month prior to the commuting month requested.  For instance, if you are placing an order for the August commuting month, your order in the Health Equity portal must be made by July 10, for it to be effective August 1st. Your payroll will be deducted in August for the funds you ordered – deductions occur in the commuting month, not the month when an order may be placed.  For weekly-paid employees, the amount will be evenly split based upon the pay cycles for that specific month, while monthly payroll employees will have one payroll deduction.