In most cases if a POV or rental vehicle was used for TDY, those would be the most appropriate modes to use in and around the TDY location. However, public transportation may be used if available and advantageous.
Public transit should be used for local travel if it is available and advantageous. If public transit is not available, then other transportation methods may be authorized.
The traveler must consider refueling time when an electric vehicle is selected as the rental vehicle. See JTR Table 2-8, rule 4 for criteria that may allow reimbursement for refueling costs charged by the rental vehicle vendor when a rental vehicle cannot be refueled (recharged) prior to returning it. If the traveler misses their flight, they are responsible for notifying the TMC and AO.
Safety is a factor for the AO to consider in all travel.
If public transportation is not available, then other transportation methods may be authorized.
Yes, electricity charging is considered fuel as defined in Appendix A of the JTR. Therefore, refueling charges for electric vehicles would be claimed as “Rental Car - Fuel” the same way fuel for a gasoline rental vehicle would be claimed.
No, an AO may never direct use of a POV.
The preferred mode of transportation is a Government asset (e.g., MILAIR or Government vehicle). If a Government asset it not available, then a commercial carrier (e.g., commercial air, rail, and rental vehicle) is the preferred mode. For enroute TDY distances of 400 miles or less one-way or 800 miles round trip, a privately owned vehicle is considered advantageous, and no cost comparison is required. For enroute TDY distances of 400 miles or more one-way or more than 800 miles round trip, the traveler is limited to the Government’s constructed costs and the traveler is required to submit a cost constructed worksheet.
If a GOV vehicle is directed and available but is not used by another traveler, the traveler must use the "other" mileage rate. DTS users select this option by navigating to "Mileage Expenses > Private Vehicle - GOV Auth & Avail" from the Expenses screen in DTS. However, if the GOV was used by another traveler on the same TDY trip, there is no entitlement to mileage for POV use.
The traveler will receive the “other” mileage rate unless another traveler on the same trip used the GOV, then no reimbursement for POV is allowed.
If the authorization was approved on or after January 31, 2025 and the trip is less than 400 miles one-way or 800 miles round trip then a constructed travel worksheet is not required.
If the traveler uses the directed mode, no constructed travel worksheet is required (POV can never be directed).
If a rental vehicle is the AO directed mode, then no, a constructed travel worksheet is not required. If another mode of transportation was directed but the traveler’s elected mode is a rental vehicle, then yes, a constructed travel worksheet is required to reflect the cost of the directed mode.
No, contacting the TMC directly is not required, and the traveler may book directly with Amtrak or the host country’s approved rail operator. Selecting rail in DTS will create a TMC assistance request within DTS and will send that request to the TMC once the authorization is signed so the TMC can book rail reservations.
For the purpose of completing the constructed travel worksheet, rail costs will be obtained from the rail booking website such as www.amtrak.com. There are no government fares for Amtrak fares and since government discounts are limited. The lowest cost coach-class train fare would be documented in the constructed travel worksheet.