Intercity Transit is accepting applications for the second year of the Discounted Bus Pass program. The program supports local non-profit and human service agencies during these difficult economic times.
In accordance with recent direction of the Intercity Transit Authority, up to $200,000 worth of monthly bus passes are available at a discount to qualifying community organizations for use in 2012. Qualifying agencies must serve clients within the cities or urban growth areas of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater or Yelm, demonstrate a direct link between transportation and the provision of agency services, and address how the transit pass program will benefit the overall community. Applications are available now and material must be submitted to Intercity Transit by December 13, 2011.
Using the same process as was piloted last year, organizations must apply for the discounted transit passes and, if they qualify and are approved, may purchase the passes at half the regular price (i.e., a $30 adult pass can be purchased for $15, and a $15 youth pass can be purchased for $7.50). Over the year, Intercity Transit distributes the approved number of discounted passes to the participating community organizations who then distribute them to their respective clients.
In fall 2010, a number of local human service agencies approached Intercity Transit seeking assistance in meeting the needs of their clients. In response to these requests, the Intercity Transit Authority authorized a one-year pilot program for 2011. Based on pass use and survey results, transit officials indicate the pilot program was successful. They estimate 3,100 bus passes will have been used by the end of this year, and that all twelve participating agencies reported the program provided valuable assistance and urged it be continued. Some of the participating agencies in this year’s program include the Thurston County Veteran’s Fund, Senior Services of South Sound, Union Gospel Mission, Family Support Center and Community Youth Services. The transit passes may be used for local transportation on Intercity Transit fixed-route bus service only.
“There are many worthy agencies in our community doing important work. Supporting the work of these agencies, particularly during such difficult economic times, is a win-win – for the agencies, for Intercity Transit and, most importantly, for the individuals for which reliable and accessible transportation is crucial,” states Mike Harbour, Intercity Transit General Manager.
The long economic recession has increased the number of people who seek assistance from local human service agencies and reduced the level of resources available to meet many of these needs. Particularly hard hit is transportation for struggling citizens to get to and from agency programs and other activities.
Interested agencies requesting discounted transit passes must complete an application. This includes stating how the monthly passes will benefit their constituency and the community as a whole. Award of pass allocation is based on a review process that considers the community benefit, the applying agency’s history of providing transportation support to clients, the organizational and financial stability of the applying organization, and the importance of transportation to the agency’s provision of services.
“This program is another way Intercity Transit works with our local partners to help address the unmet transportation needs of our community,” states Harbour.
Application packets and instructions are available on this Website and by contacting Intercity Transit business office, 360.786.8585. Applications are due by 4pm, December 13. Awards will be made on December 21 and the program begins in January 2012.
Intercity Transit plans to evaluate its Discounted Bus Pass program again in 2012. This evaluation will assess the effectiveness of the 2012 program as well as the state of the economy to determine if the program will be continued in 2013.