Funding the Bus Program
HOW DOES THE CURRENT FUNDING STRUCTURE FOR THE BUS & PARA-TRANSIT PROGRAM COMPARE TO THE ORIGINAL FUNDING STRUCTURE?
Prior to August 2009, in the original funding structure, degree-credit students paid “per credit” for the bus & para-transit program. The chart below shows “how much” students paid. Fulltime students actually paid more for the program in the original funding structure, than with the current “transportation fee.”
Students attending public forums & student leaders on the Student Activities Board & Student Senate reasoned that “the amount of credits taken by a student doesn’t determine “how much” he/she will utilize transportation services.” Students decided that a flat-fee would be more equitable.
Original Funding Structure Ending August 2009:
Credit Fee
1 $2.15
2 $4.30
3 $6.45
4 $8.60
5 $9.75
6 $12.90
7 $15.05
8 $17.20
9 $19.35
10 $21.50
11 $23.65
12 $25.80
13 $27.95
14 $30.10
15 $32.25
16 $34.40
17 $36.55
18 $38.70
19 $40.85
20 $43.00
WHY DOES IT SAY “BUS & PARA-TRANSIT PROGRAM SUPPORT FEE” ON STUDENT INVOICES?
In 2008, students voted to restructure funding for the Bus & Para-Transit Program, they were no longer charged “per credit.” They are charged a “flat-fee” of $25/semester ($15/summer). In the original system, students were charged $2.15/credit for the bus program + $1/credit for the Fitness Centers + $6.30/credit for co-curricular programs & the total amount of $9.45/credit was added to the tuition for each course in which the student was enrolled.
For example, prior to Fall 2009, the invoice looked like this:
English Class 3 credits $422.85*
*The $422.85 breaks-down this way:
$131.50 tuition per credit
X 3 credits
= $394.50
$9.45 supplemental fees per credit
X 3 credits
= $28.35
(bus $2.15/credit + fitness $1.00/credit + $6.30 co-curricular programs)
Beginning in Fall 2009, the invoices look like this:
English Class 3 credits $431.11**
**The $431.11 breaks-down this way:
$136.10 tuition per credit
X 3 credits
= $408.30 (4.5% increase in tuition statewide)
$7.60 supplemental fees
X 3 credits
= $22.80 (fitness $1.00/credit + $6.60 co-curricular programs)
Bus & Para-Transit Program Support Fee = $25 ($15 for summer) (flat-fee, not per credit as in previous years)
WHAT WOULD STUDENTS PAY TO RIDE BUSES, OR TO USE PARA-TRANSIT SERVICES, IF THERE WAS NO PROGRAM?
Students would need to purchase passes from Metro Transit at a current cost of $55 for an unlimited monthly ride pass. At this rate, it would cost a student over $500/academic year (9 mo.) to ride Metro Transit buses. Para-transit students would need to purchase convenience booklets at $600+/semester.
Last Modified: April 4, 2011