Fares and Bus Passes
CASH FARES
The cash fare to ride any WTA bus is 75 cents (except for Route 80X Bellingham/Mt Vernon, see below). Transfers are provided, please ask for one as you board a bus. The purpose of transfers is to allow cash-paying customers to ride a second bus free if a second bus is needed to complete a one-way trip. Riders must purchase another fare for their return trip or if more than two buses are needed to complete a one-way trip.
Children under eight years and adults over 80 years ride FREE.
The cash fare for seniors or people with a disability is 35 cents or half the regular cash fare if the fare is more than $.75, such as on Route 80X, and on Fixed Route buses only if a rider shows a WTA Reduced Fare card or Medicare card. Call 676-RIDE to see if you qualify.
On Route 80X, cash fares are $.75 if getting on AND off within Whatcom County; $1.00 if getting on AND off within Skagit County; and $2 for traveling between counties. WTA will accept all valid WTA and Skagit Transit passes. For Skagit Transit fares on Route 80X, see fares on their website at www.skagittransit.org.
Transfers are not accepted or given on Route 80X or 80X Shuttle. Tokens are not accepted.
TOKENS
Tokens are now available at the Bellingham Station, valued at 75 cents each but sold only in packages of 20 for $15.
PASSES
WTA has available a variety of bus passes for the general public, students, people with disabilities, and WWU students. You may purchase a General Public monthly pass online (click here) using a credit card (VISA or MasterCard), or by visiting the pass outlets listed further below.
| BUS FARES |
General Public
|
People w/approved disability ***
|
|
Cash Fare on Fixed Route or Specialized Transp.
Route 80X cash fare: $.75 if getting on AND off within Whatcom County; $1.00 if getting on AND off within Skagit County; and $2.00 if traveling between counties. |
$.75
|
$.35 (not available on Specialized Transportation)
OR half the regular cash fare if the fare is more than $.75, such as Route 80X |
| Monthly Pass |
$20
|
$10
|
| Tokens (sold in pkg of 20 only) |
$15
|
$15
|
| Quarterly Pass |
$60
|
$30
|
| Monthly Student Pass* |
$10
|
|
| Quarterly Student Pass* |
$30
|
|
| Annual Pass |
$200
|
|
| WWU Viking Xpress Staff & Faculty Quarterly Pass** | $20 Academic Quarter | |
| WWU Viking Xpress Staff & Faculty Academic Year Pass** |
$50 |
|
| Children under 8 or seniors 80 & over | Free | |
* Students age 8 years old through attending college. ID required for high school through college.
* *For WWU staff & faculty only. Available from WWU sustainable tranportation office only.
WWU Staff & Faculty passes are $20 for academic quarter or $50 for academic year. See www.wwu.edu/transportation/ for more information.
WWU Students registered for 6 or more credit hours are assessed $25 per quarter and will receive a WTA bus pass. Call WWU at 650-7960 for more information.
*** Cash fare of $.35 not available on Specialized Transportation. Riders must qualify to ride, please call 733-1144.
| WHERE TO PURCHASE WTA PASSES |
All Passes | General Public Monthly Pass | Student Monthly Pass* | Student Quarterly Pass* |
WWU pass
|
Tokens (20 for $15) |
| WTA Bellingham Station |
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
-
|
x
|
| WTA Lynden Station-Corry's |
-
|
x
|
x
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Bellingham Tech College Bookstore |
-
|
-
|
x
|
x
|
-
|
x
|
| Bellis Fair Mall-Customer Service Counter |
-
|
x
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Community Food Co-op |
-
|
x
|
x
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Fairhaven Pharmacy |
-
|
x
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Haggen Stores: |
-
|
x
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Lummi Employment & Training Center |
-
|
x
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Northwest Indian College |
-
|
-
|
x
|
x
|
-
|
-
|
| Whatcom Community College Bookstore |
-
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
-
|
-
|
| Western Washington University (Viking Xpress passes only) |
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
X
|
-
|
* Student ID is required for high school and college students, regardless of age. WWU students must pick up their pass at the Card Office in Eden Hall.
HOW TO GET A REDUCED FARE CARD
(does not qualify for a ride on Specialized Transportation)
People 65 years of age and older, people with a Medicare Card, and people with a disability qualify to receive a Reduced Rate Card from WTA. This card or a Medicare Card must be shown to the driver when boarding and paying a reduced fare.
Seniors 65 years of age and over may choose to:
- Call (360) 676-6843, voice, or (360) 676-6844, TTY
- Go the Downtown Bellingham Station and receive a Reduced Fare Card from a Customer Service Representative
- Go to WTA Administrative office. Proof of age is required.
People under the age of 65 with a Medicare Card, SSI eligibility, VA card with 40% or more disability, or Reduced Fare Card from another transit system can call (360) 676-6843 (Voice or TTY), or go to WTA's Administrative Offices. Proof of eligibility is required. Additional Identification may be required.
People with a disability who do not qualify according to the above criteria may still qualify for a Reduced Fare Card. Call (360) 676-6843, or (360) 676-6844 for TTY(hearing assistance), for more information.