The Capital Metro Board of Directors has unanimously approved a bus pass pilot program for ACC students, faculty, and staff. The initiative, called “Green Pass,” is intended to help students get to class, ease parking congestion, and reduce ACC’s carbon footprint while gathering important ridership data.
The college will launch Green Pass for the spring 2010 semester. Beginning January 5, ACC will issue Capital Metro passes to students, faculty, and staff, who can use bus service (and rail service, when it comes online) at no cost to them. In an agreement reached with Capital Metro, the college will be charged a discounted rate per ride. The pilot program will assess the need for potential new routes and enable ACC to gauge interest in free use of mass transit.
The Capital Metro board gave Green Pass the green light on Wednesday, October 28. ACC’s Board of Trustees approved the pilot program in early October.
“We are so pleased to move forward with the Green Pass program,” says Andy Kim, the college’s director of environmental stewardship. “We appreciate the unanimous support of Capital Metro’s Board of Directors as well as the enthusiastic support of ACC students and employees.”
The cost of the pilot program will be covered by funds from the parking fee increase that went into effect this fall as well as a new sustainability fee of $1 per credit hour (which begins spring 2010). The average student will pay $8 a semester.
“This new ridership program will benefit not only the students, but the environment as well, and ACC students are always trying to find new and innovative ways to improve life using green practices,” says Joshua Bacak, president of the college’s Student Government Association.
Green Pass is just one example of ACC’s commitment to minimizing its impact on the environment. For information on all of the college’s sustainability initiatives, visit austincc.edu/sustainability.
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By Ellen October 29, 2009 - 9:18 am
As an ACC staff member who currently takes the bus to/from work, I am thrilled to learn that ACC has worked with CapMetro to approve this program! I hope it encourages more members of the ACC community to ride the bus….and I personally appreciate the savings this free pass will bring!
By Geraldine October 29, 2009 - 12:45 pm
I completely depend on CapMetro for transportation to and from work. Very glad the program has been approved, looking forward to using the new Green Pass.
By aaron October 29, 2009 - 8:56 pm
This is Fantastic! I will be telling everyone in my classes to use it!
By Taylor October 29, 2009 - 11:18 pm
I will love this, this will allow me to go to more campuses and open up more class options without costing me an arm or a leg.
By lorianne November 2, 2009 - 1:05 am
Coming for someone who use the bus a lot that is great I waiting for this
By Michelle November 6, 2009 - 9:01 am
I am so excited about this! Especially with the proposed increase of bus fares. Just another example of the great financial deal I am getting at ACC!
By Lynn December 8, 2009 - 8:53 am
This is awesome. I rely 100% on public transporation. I think this is not only a great money and time saver. I don’t have to worry about when my pass expires and find time to go buy a new one every month. Semester passes will make my life a little simpler and I can spend more time studying. Thank you!
By Carry December 14, 2009 - 2:44 am
THIS IS GREAT NOW i CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO GET TO SCHOOL, AND EVEN MAYBE GET A BITE TO EAT AND NOT GET DEDUCTED FOR ATTENDANCE AND WITH THE INCREASE IN CAP. METRO RATES THIS GREEN PASS IS AN EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION SAVER, BECAUSE STUDENTS ABOVE 18 YEARS OLD, DON’T GET A DISCOUNT AND IT MAKES NO SINCE, B/C WE ARE NOT RELYING ON OUR PARENTS.