“I’m sure we’ll be communicating with their student governments and perhaps opening a new dialogue that hasn’t been there.”
– Neal Michals, on working with Marquette and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

The UPass could become a thing of the past at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee if Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has his way.

Walker recently announced a plan to increase the fee schools pay the Milwaukee County Transit System by 16 percent. If this passes, tuition may increase or the UPass might be eliminated from the university.

Walker’s proposal is part of an effort by the county to try to balance the budget and would take effect next year if passed.

The County Transportation Committee will decide on a possible recommendation of the proposed increase to the Milwaukee County Board for a vote.

The UWM Student Association (SA) is fighting the proposed fee increase by lobbying County Supervisor Gerry Broderick and working with the Milwaukee County Transportation Committee.

The semester-long bus passes are currently offered through MCTS to students at UWM, Marquette and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). The UPass is paid for with student segregated fees.

According to SA Governmental Affairs Analyst Neal Michals, the UPass has increased ridership on county buses and 60 percent of all eligible riders at UWM have picked up a UPass.

Michals also said that UWM may also be working with student organizations from Marquette and MIAD, which would be the first time student organizations from the three schools have collaborated on an initiative.

“Traditionally we haven’t worked together in the past,” Michals said, “but I’m sure we’ll be communicating with their student governments and perhaps opening a new dialogue that hasn’t been there.”

The Milwaukee County Board of Transportation will vote on the proposal in November. Shortly after that, the SA Senate Finance Committee will vote on whether or not to keep UWM in the UPass program.

If the increased fee is approved by the county, the SA will have to make one of its toughest decisions: whether or not to keep the UPass.

Last year the Senate barely approved UWM’s involvement in the UPass program, as the higher costs were more than some senators wanted to pay. With the possibility of an even higher fee, SA may not want to take the risk of raising tuition.

Last year, MCTS increased the fees for the UPass program by $3 per pass. If Walker’s proposal goes through, it could mean up to a $6 per-pass increase, the largest increase since UWM has been a part of the program.

UWM currently pays $38.10 for each pass.

Michals said the average UWM student can contact local elected representatives in response to Walker’s proposal.

“Hopefully the Student Association can organize a call-a-day or letter-writing campaign,” Michals said. “But we can only do it with everyone else behind us.”

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