Q1: May I be reimbursed for local travel in/around my PDS or TDY location?	A1: Perhaps. When it is determined to be to the Government’s advantage, designated Service officials may authorize/approve reimbursement for transportation expenses incurred by members/employees conducting official business in the local area of the PDS and/or TDY stations. See JFTR, Chapter 3, Part F and JTR, Chapter 2, Part H.
Q2: There seems to be a lot of confusion about what constitutes 'local area'. Is there a set radius or maximum number of miles I must drive/travel to exceed the 'local area' boundaries?	A2: No. See JFTR, par. U3500-B (uniformed members) or JTR, par. C2400-B (civilian employees) for information about who has the authority to establish the 'local area' boundaries. An arbitrary distance radius must not be established in setting up the local commuting area of the permanent or TDY station (59 Comp. Gen. 397 (1980)). The local area in which transportation expenses may be authorized/approved are: 1. within the duty station limits (permanent or temporary) and the metropolitan area around that station ordinarily served by local common carriers; 2. within a local commuting area of the duty station, the boundaries of which are determined by the official directing travel or as prescribed by local Service/Defense Agency directives; or 3. separate cities, towns, or installations adjacent to or close to each other, within which the commuting public travels during normal business hours on a daily basis.
Q3: What travel is included in "transportation expenses incurred by members/employees conducting official business"?	A3: Reimbursement for transportation expenses in/around the PDS/TDY area may be authorized/approved for travel between: 1. office or duty point and another place of business; 2. places of business; or 3. residence and place of business other than office or duty point.
Q4: Are my travel expenses in the local area reimbursable if the travel is commercial?	A4: Yes. Reimbursement for travel by commercial means may be authorized/approved for necessary expenses incurred for: 1. local public transportation when tokens, tickets or cash fares are not furnished; 2. taxi cab fares and transportation-related tips; and 3. hire and operation of a special conveyance including necessary parking fees.
Q5: I frequently must travel between my residence or PDS and an alternate work site. Are any of these travel expenses reimbursable?	A5: Perhaps. When POC use is authorized/approved for travel between a member's/employee's residence or the PDS and one or more alternate work sites within the local area, the member/employee is paid mileage for the distance that exceeds the their commuting distance. For more information, see JFTR, Chapter 3, Part F and JTR, Chapter 2, Part H.