WTA is proud of our service to WWU. We enjoy serving Western riders throughout our system. And we appreciate the ridership we carry from the Western community.
Background
- WTA’s current contract with WWU is in effect until September 2026. The cost to ride for WWU students, faculty, and staff will remain unchanged until next fall.
- Under the current contract, WWU pays WTA $600,000 per year to provide unlimited rides to WWU students, faculty, and staff.
- WTA receives 40 cents per ride from WWU riders.
- A member of the general public pays $1 per ride.
- An average ride on WTA’s fixed route bus costs WTA more than $9 to operate.
- WTA spends $4.7 million per year operating routes on WWU’s campus.
WTA’s Proposed Fare Increase
- WTA is in the midst of a Proposed Fare Increase. We have hosted 10 in-person and online public engagement opportunities since September.
- Our Board of Directors is holding a final public hearing on December 4, 2026. In addition to hearing public comment, they will have reviewed comments received through the public process thus far.
- WTA is proposing to increase our base fare from $1 to $2. This would be our first base fare increase since 2008.
- We are proposing to include a 50% discount for students 19 and over ($1). Students 18 and under will continue to ride free.
Why Increase Fares?
- Like many public agencies, WTA is facing increasing costs for essentials such as labor, benefits, vehicles, utilities, fuel, and more.
- This proposed fare increase is one of several ways WTA is working to bring our operating expenses and revenues into balance.
- Our ability to provide service into the future depends on balancing our operating expenses and revenues.
Going Forward
- WTA recognizes the value of our relationship with WWU.
- We remain open to the possibility of an agreement.
- Any future agreement must accomplish these goals: It must be simple (simple for the rider, and simple to administer), consistent (with the cost other students pay to ride), and financially sustainable.
