• Ride Together Rewards: the Baltimore Transit Incentives Program 
• IRS Announces 2026 Increase for Qualified Transportation Fringe (Commuter Tax Benefit)
• Spotlights: Maryland State Department of Education and the Tri-County Council
• Transit Services of Frederick County's Vanpool Incentive Program Drives Forward
• Commuter Choice Maryland "In The Wild"
• Resources, Webinars and Upcoming Events

Good news, Baltimore commuters! The Maryland Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Commuter Choice Maryland (CCM) recently expanded its Ride Together Rewards Program. First-time transit users can now take advantage of the Baltimore Transit Incentives Program (TIP) during promotional periods, offering commuters and employers in the Baltimore region incentives to try transit!  

In an effort to alleviate the on roadways previously served by the  Francis Scott Key Bridge, while prioritizing safe, affordable and convenient commuting options; CCM is thrilled to now offer funding to reduce commuting costs and incentivize alternative options.

The Baltimore Transit Incentive Program offers two unique incentives: one for commuters and one for employers. CharmPass for commuters allows first-time transit users to download the CharmPass mobile app and receive free transit passes. FareShare for employers allows Baltimore Region employers to receive up to $3,000 ($1,000 per month for three continuous months) to purchase transit passes for employees through the FareShare program.

As a perk of the FareShare incentive, organizations utilizing the incentive program will be registered in the Commuter Choice Maryland Employer Partner Program, which offers free resources and tools to help organizations offer other commuter benefits to employees, as well as gain recognition as a company that leads by example.

The IRS has announced that the Qualified Transportation Fringe (Commuter Tax Benefit) will increase from the current maximum of $325/month for transit, vanpools and qualified parking to $340/month in 2026. This is a result of the annual inflation adjustment tied to increases in the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). You can find the general announcement here.  

Maryland State Department of Education: A Model for Sustainable Commuting

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is a team of educators and administrators who aim to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success. In addition to their ethos of empowering students across the State, their commitment to equipping people with the tools they need to thrive is also apparent in how they support their employees travelling to their West Baltimore Street office. MSDE offers a comprehensive set of incentives and programs so their employees can choose to travel to the office by transit, vanpool, carpool, biking, or walking, and is a member of Commuter Choice Maryland’s (CCM) Employer Partner Program. 

To learn more about MSDE’s commitment to providing commuter benefits from Joe Hansbrough, Director of Project Management, click the button below.

George Clark’s People-First Approach to Transportation in Southern Maryland

The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD) serves as a “regional forum for the discussion and resolution of issues” affecting Southern Maryland. George Clark is the Transportation Director at TCCSMD, where he has transformed how residents in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties think about their commute options. In these bedroom communities of DC, George faces a unique challenge, promoting transportation alternatives in an area without access to metro or light rail. As a result, his role requires creative approaches to connect residents with carpool, vanpool, and commuter bus services. 

To learn more about George and his innovative approaches, click the button below.

Transit Services of Frederick County (Transit) is proud to share ongoing success with its Vanpool Incentive Program (VIP). In FY26, Transit is providing a vanpool subsidy to five active vanpools.

This subsidy is crucial in helping new vanpools get started, offering a fixed financial boost until all seats are filled. The support helps commuters form sustainable travel groups and decreases the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road, especially significant as many return to the office.

How’d they get here? Through FY25, Transit worked diligently to promote the VIP through a redesigned website, targeted outreach, digital advertising, and creative print marketing. These efforts boosted awareness and participation, reinforcing our commitment to environmentally friendly commuting options.

By supporting vanpools, they're not only helping people save money and time, but also contributing to keeping their region moving efficiently and sustainably.

To learn more about Transit Services of Frederick County and their services, click here.

Please note, this incentive can be combined with the Baltimore Vanpool Incentive Program. Sign up today at: BaltimoreCommutes.org.

The Commuter Choice Maryland team has been on-the-go the past couple of months at various outreach and community events. The team loves engaging with the community and providing hands-on resources, information, and solutions. Here are just some of the events you might have seen CCM at recently:

• Maryland State Fair
• University of Maryland FreeFest Event
• BikeAround Downtown Block Party
• Howard County Commuter Ice Cream Social
• Maryland Society for Human Resource Management (MD SHRM) Annual Conference 2025
• Transportation Association of Maryland (TAM) 2025 Conference

If you have any upcoming events and would like CCM to exhibit, please email: commuterchoice@mdot.maryland.gov.