Employee Bus Pass

Quick Links

• WWU employee Bus Pass Request E-sign Form
• Aramark employee e-market Bus Pass Purchase Site
• Obtain a free After Hours Parking Permit in the Parking Portal
• Obtain a Pay-by-Day Parking Permit by emailing transportation@wwu.edu

Your Western ID Card Is Also Your Bus Pass

Once you purchase a bus pass, your Western ID card will be activated so that it will function as a bus pass on all Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) and Skagit Transit buses. On WTA buses swipe your Western card in the card reader next to the driver's seat when you board the bus. On Skagit Transit Buses show the driver your Western card when you board the bus.

If you are a WWU employee use the Bus Pass Request E-sign Form to purchase a bus pass. Aramark employees use the e-market Aramark Bus Pass Purchase Site.

Cost of an Employee Bus Pass

$23.00 per quarter or $69.00 for the academic year (Fall/Winter/Spring).

Western subsidizes 49.5% of the cost of each Western employee bus pass. Aramark subsidizes 49.5% of the cost of each Aramark employee bus pass.

Bus Pass Dates

A bus pass may become valid for any quarter as early as the first day of intersession preceding that quarter, with a bus pass charge for that quarter.

A bus pass for any quarter will remain active for 2 weeks into the next quarter before becoming inactive without a bus pass charge for the next quarter.

Bus Pass Payment Options

WWU Employee Payroll Deduction

• This pretax payment option is for permanent WWU employees currently receiving a paycheck. Contact the Transportation Office if you are not sure if you are eligible for this option.

WWU Employee Credit/Debit Card or Electronic Check from Bank Account

• When your e-sign form is processed, the charge for your bus pass will be added to your Western account.
• Once you have been notified that your e-sign form has been approved, pay for your bus pass using the Student Business Office payment portal.
  • Follow the directions for Students, Faculty, & Staff
  • 2.75% transaction fee for payment with credit
  • No fee when bank account information is used for payment

Aramark Employee Payments

• Payment is via credit or debit card on the e-market Aramark employee bus pass site.

Try the WTA Bus System for FREE

As an incentive to try the bus, Whatcom Transit Authority offers a FREE 31-day bus pass (a $30 value) to people who meet two criteria: 

1. They are new to riding the bus in Whatcom County. 
2. They are registered users of Whatcom Smart Trips.   

The pass is activated the first time it is used, and it expires at midnight 31 days later.  

Here’s how to request a FREE 31-day bus pass: 

1. Sign up for Whatcom Smart Trips. Be sure to select Western as your employer and use your home address. 
2. Email transportation@wwu.edu to let us know that you would like a FREE 31-day bus pass. 
3. We will confirm that you are a new WTA bus rider and approve the FREE 31-day bus pass. 
4. Smart Trips will send the FREE 31-day bus pass directly to your home address.  
5. Ride the bus in Whatcom County for FREE as often as you like for 31 days. It’s so easy!