Whatcom County bus agency wants to reduce fares for college students
Whatcom County’s transit agency wants to make all students in higher education eligible for half-price bus fares under a proposed rate hike for next year, and won’t be renewing a special arrangement with Western Washington University as part of that effort.
Whatcom Transportation Authority spokeswoman Maureen McCarthy told The Herald that the new fare structure aims to provide “consistency” for students at WWU, Whatcom Community College, Northwest Indian College and Bellingham Technical College.
“In the absence of an agreement (with colleges), we will have this great other option,” McCarthy said in a phone call.
“We don’t currently have a reduced fare for college students. Our fare increase proposal would introduce one. Students (19 and older) would be one of several groups eligible for half price fares. So $1 per ride, or a $30 monthly cap,” she said in an email.
A first step toward reduced bus fares for all college students involves canceling a deal that provides a bus pass for WWU students, faculty and staff.
Under a $600,000 contract with the Whatcom Transportation Authority, WWU provides a bus pass for students 19 and older, along with faculty and staff. Those 18 and younger ride free.
WTA officials told WWU on Friday that a contract for the bus passes won’t be renewed when it ends in September 2026. WWU students pay a $33.08 active transportation fee every quarter.
In a similar arrangement, Whatcom Community College pays WTA 50 cents “per tap,” McCarthy said. “In other words, 50 cents each time a WCC student boards the bus. Their pass does not include staff and faculty.”
WWU Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Joyce Lopes told The Herald that she hopes talks on WWU’s arrangement will continue.
“We are committed to working with our WTA colleagues to keep all lines of dialog open. We understand the significance of these proposed changes to our students and employees — who make up about 38% of all WTA ridership — and will pursue all avenues of discussion prior to these changes taking effect,” Lopes said in an email.
Bus routes serving WWU make up about 38% of WTA’s total ridership, but not everyone on those buses is affiliated with the university.
This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 9:35 AM.
