A pilot program providing RTD EcoPasses to faculty and staff at the University of Colorado at Boulder kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 1.
The EcoPass may be used for unlimited rides on RTD buses including all local, express or regional buses; the Hop and Skip services in Boulder; the SkyRide bus service to Denver International Airport; and RTD light rail service.
All CU-Boulder campus faculty and staff who are full-time and part-time continuing employees are eligible for the program. Continuing employees include all state classified staff with permanent appointments; permanent faculty; and faculty members, professional exempt and professional research assistants who are employed throughout the year whose contracts are renewed annually, totaling about 6,000 people.
CU-Boulder employees may call 492-2322 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to confirm their eligibility for the program.
For transit access, employees must show bus drivers their Buff OneCards. No fare will be required. OneCards may be obtained at the University Memorial Center, room 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Employees should take some form of picture ID to get their Buff OneCards. No appointment is necessary.
The faculty-staff EcoPass Program is similar to one established in 1991 for CU-Boulder students. Annual student trips on RTD routes increased from 300,000 in 1991 to more than 1.5 million in 1996.
The programs are designed to increase use of mass transit and reduce automobile use and congestion. The student program is paid for by student fees and the employee program is funded by the CU-Boulder administration, auxiliary departments and the campus Parking Services department.
The employee program will be reviewed after its first year. CU administrators hope to see evidence of widespread use of the EcoPass. If the program does not attract enough users it may be discontinued.
For information about the faculty-staff EcoPass service call 492-1538 or visit the Parking Services website at http://ucbparking.colorado.edu.