Submitted by: Whatcom Transportation Authority
Whatcom Community College (WCC) students can now travel on Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) buses using their student ID cards. WCC students and administrators worked with WTA to create a universal bus pass agreement. Through the agreement, all currently enrolled WCC students have prepaid access to WTA’s system. Students pay a fee to WCC. WCC then pays WTA based on eligible student enrollment. WTA offers prepaid access at a significant discount, in exchange for the ability to get a bus pass into the pocket of every student, including those participating in the Running Start program.
WTA General Manager Pete Stark said, “We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Whatcom Community College on this new pass program. With Cordata Station across the street, WCC is well served by transit. The new pass program creates yet another compelling reason for students to ride—and not just to school, but to destinations throughout Whatcom County.”
Jarrett Martin, president of Associated Students of Whatcom Community College, said, “The WTA bus pass integration with our student ID cards provides an essential service to students looking for accessibility, convenience, and cost-savings in relation to transportation to and from school and transportation throughout the community. The bus pass will ease parking crowding, promote environmental stewardship by taking cars off of the road, allow students to read and study as they commute from home to campus, and provide transportation security for those times when personal vehicles fail. We couldn’t be more excited.”
Further information regarding the Orca Card can be found at whatcom.edu/orcacard. Further information regarding how to ride the bus can be found at ridewta.com.
