[Vision2020] Wheatland Shuttle to Charge Fare for Faculty, Staff Starting Nov. 1

[Bill London]

The bus from Moscow to Pullman is no longer free for faculty/staff
BL



>>Wheatland Shuttle to Charge Fare for Faculty, Staff Starting Nov. 1
>>
>>PULLMAN, Wash. -- Starting Nov. 1, the Wheatland Express bus service 
>>between Pullman and Moscow will undergo a change. Washington State 
>>University and University of Idaho faculty and staff will pay a small fee 
>>to ride: students with valid identification will continue riding the 
>>shuttle for free.
>>
>>A book of 40 ride tickets will be available for purchase from either WSU 
>>or UI for $40. The discounted tickets will be available to individual 
>>faculty and staff or to university departments who wish to provide rides 
>>to faculty or staff involved in cross-listed courses or other 
>>university-related activities. This $1 per ride rate is less than the $2 
>>fare box rate.
>>
>>Since students pay for the bulk of transit services at both universities, 
>>officials decided to continue free service for the students.
>>
>>Washington State University and the University of Idaho currently 
>>contribute 50 percent, or approximately $100,000 annually plus fuel 
>>surcharge, toward the shuttle service.
>>
>>Established in the early 1990's, the Wheatland Express bus service was 
>>originally designed to enable WSU and UI students to participate in 
>>cooperative academic programs and to mitigate any barriers to students who 
>>did not have a vehicle while attending college.
>>
>>As the service became more popular, more non-student commuters began to 
>>use it. In the face of recent funding concerns, the two universities and 
>>Moscow and Pullman communities came up with a temporary funding solution. 
>>Community feedback during discussions that led to the solution indicated 
>>that many staff and faculty riders would be willing to pay to use the 
>>service and keep it going.
>>
>>Wheatland Express is operating under the final year of an extended 
>>contract. Officials at both Washington State University and the University 
>>of Idaho expect to solicit proposals this year from potential providers, 
>>with another multi-year contract to be awarded prior to August 2008.
>>
>>University officials welcome comments and questions about the new fee plan 
>>via email at commuter at wsu.edu.