Congress Expected To Restore Full Commuter Tax Benefit For Mass Transit Users

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Some financial help appears to be on the way for mass transit riders nationally.

Congress is expected to restore the full commuter tax benefit to mass transit users this week, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported. The approval would save some riders more than $1,000 annually.

The benefit would allow those who ride buses and trains to work to pay for commuting costs using $255 a month in pretax dollars through employer-offered programs. Currently, transit riders can only deduct $130 a month.

Long Island Rail Road riders said they can't wait for the benefit to kick in.

"If I can save money, it will be great," Ben Miller said. "The commuter takes it on the chin all the time."

"That's pretax money," said Bob from Hicksville. "It's worth a lot, and all employees want it. It's a good thing."