In regards to a recent article on the proposed NFTA-Metro-Unlimited Access Program at UB ("Talks on free Metro passes move slowly," Feb. 2), I'd like to share additional information regarding the program that was not presented in the article.
With respect to the University at Buffalo, Metro is continuing to collaborate with university administration and students to study and design a comprehensive transportation plan that meets students' accessibility needs to, from and on campus.
The Metro Unlimited Access pass is valid for the entire academic year and both commuter and resident students are able to use all of Metro's regular services as often as they wish, not just the routes serving the campus or immediate areas around the campus.
Metro offers significant savings for students, establishing a fee of $25 per registered student, per semester for the program. This equates to $2 per week and is consistent with similar Unlimited Access programs across the country.
The fee is a true value when compared to an All Zone Metro Pass, which costs $66 per month, or $528 for the academic year. On a weekly basis the fee is less that the cost of one regular round trip on any Metro Bus, or about $3, and provides Unlimited Access all week long. For a commuter, one gallon of gas is likely wasted each week just searching for a parking spot on campus, versus having unlimited access to the entire Metro system. In comparison, the current University at Buffalo's campus-to-campus shuttle service makes approximately 2 million trips per year at a cost in excess of $1.5 million annually to students and the university.
The goal of Metro's Unlimited Access Program is to provide all students with safe, reliable and cost effective transportation while attending participating colleges and universities.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
