“Services have been decreasing and prices are going up. What direction do we want to take?” – Kyle Duerstein, SA legislative affairs director

The Milwaukee Finance and Audit Committee voted to reverse a proposed UPass fee increase at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Association (SA) President Samantha Prahl and Legislative Affairs Director Kyle Duerstein both lobbied the committee to reverse the fee increase.

“We think it’s wonderful that the UPass rate hike was reversed,” Duerstein said.

The proposed increase would have brought the UPass fee to $44 per semester, representing a steady increase from the $35 fee just a few years ago. The fee had been raised in three of the previous four years and will remain at $41 for the time being.

“The spirit of the program used to be to just break even. Now they are looking for the spillover to cover other areas of their budget,” Duerstein said.

While avoiding a fee increase this year, SA is still exploring other transit options for the future. SA held a meeting open to students on Wednesday, Oct. 18, to try to get feedback on the program and possible alternatives. However, only a few students showed up to voice their opinions.

“Most of the complaints we have received have been associated with the 40U and the 44U routes. They only run until 5:30 p.m. now,” Duerstein said. “Services have been decreasing and prices are going up. What direction do we want to take?”

Duerstein indicated that the university could finance its own bus service for comparable fees, though the system would be less comprehensive. Another option would be to get rid of the program altogether, which is highly unlikely due to the need for alternative transit options to transport students to and from campus.

Collection rates for the UPass this semester were 57 percent, meaning that over 40 percent of students are currently paying into a system that they do not use. However, the program in its current state undoubtedly relieves traffic and congestion around campus, a benefit even to those who do not directly utilize the bus system.

“I take the bus from Waukesha every day. Parking sucks around here,” said student Christopher Ehlers.

A final budget meeting will take place on Nov. 6 with a veto-overriding session slated for Nov. 15. To voice your opinion on the UPass program, call the SA office at 229-4366.

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