WTA Bus

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 balance its operating expenses and revenues. WTA’s revenue budget for 2026 is $79 million; 51% from sales tax, 43% from grants, 3% from interest income, 2% from fare revenue, and 1% from other revenue sources.

Currently, students pay an Active Transportation Fee (ATF) of $33 a quarter, and $24 of that fee goes toward WWU’s contract with WTA. Since student fees are calculated as a part of the cost of a WWU education (financial aid calculations assume transportation costs), they are covered through financial aid for students with financial need. As a result, for all students, including those receiving financial aid, the cost of using WTA currently is invisible. Under the new proposal, all students would have to cover bus expenses out of pocket, per ride, and separate from any financial assistance.

Students using the app will pay $1/ride capped at $30/month. Anyone not using the app or tapping their credit card will pay $2/ride, capped at $60/month.

For WTA’s general fare increase, there will be a hybrid public hearing on Dec. 4, 2025, at 8 am. In person will be at WTA’s offices at: 4011 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham, WA  98226, and online via Zoom. There will not be a public hearing on WTA's decision to enter or not enter a future contract with WWU for a universal bus pass; WTA’s board may discuss the matter in executive session during board meetings. If WTA and WWU agree to a contract, it will be voted on at a future WTA board meeting.

WTA’s current contract with WWU is in effect until September 15, 2026. Under the current agreement, WWU pays WTA $600,000 per year to provide bus passes to WWU students, faculty, and staff.  This is paid through benefits expenses for employees and the active transportation fee assessed to students (currently $33.08 per quarter).

WTA has indicated that employees will pay the full fare under their current proposal.

Yes, but not because of the fare increases. WTA will implement significant service changes across WWU to improve on-time performance, simplify campus routes, adapt service levels to demand, and provide improved service at no additional cost. The service changes will go into effect in June of 2026. You can find more details about the service changes on WTA’s engage page.

If WWU successfully negotiates a contract with WTA, the increased contract cost may affect the student active transportation fee (ATF). However, if that is the case, the increase in the ATF would be less than what students would pay at the fare box if paying directly.

The WTA board will vote on the proposed fare increases either on December 4, at the following board meeting on December 11, or at a future board meeting in 2026. We do not have a timeline on talks with WTA about future contracts currently.

You can contact WTA at customerservice@ridewta.com or (360) 715-4500.  Fast Facts About the WTA-WWU Contract | Engage WTA.  You can contact WWU Transportation Services at transportation@wwu.edu or (360) 650-2945.

WWU and WTA have enjoyed a working partnership together for decades, and continue to do so. Back in 2007, WWU and WTA created the Active Transportation Fee to encourage more students to ride the bus and drive less. All students pay a flat fee to ride the bus, whether they ride or not. This simple change doubled student ridership in one year while reducing vehicular traffic and creating a culture of transit ridership campus-wide. Today, 84% of WWU students ride the bus, and 8% of employees ride the bus. Both rank the highest in total number and percentage of any large employer in Whatcom County.

As one of Whatcom County’s largest employers and economic drivers, WWU contributes $500 million to Whatcom County’s economy each year, much of which goes to Whatcom County’s sales tax collections that supports WTA. This includes $66 million that students spend on personal expenditures annually, and more than $100 million that WWU spends annually on capital expenditures.