ACC students to ride free on CapMetro

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Capital Metro Board of Directors approved Wednesday a pilot program that will allow Austin Community College students, faculty, and staff free Capital Metro passes beginning in January.

In an agreement reached with Capital Metro, the college will be charged a discount rate per ride and be able to offer the free rides. 

ACC is funding the program through their sustainability fee included in tuition. 

ACC hopes that the free bus fare will ease parking congestion and help reduce the college's environmental impact. 

Cap Metro will gather ridership data and test the interest level for free ridership programs. 

The program, called Green Pass, will be put in place for the spring semester.  The initial cost of the program will be $250,000, covered by funds from the parking fee increase that went into effect this fall.