Local transit directors involved in the FMCC Transit Pass, a new offering to Fulton-Montgomery Community College students, said they have been pleasantly surprised by the success of the pass thus far.
The pass, which costs $250 a semester and is open to FMCC students and staff, allows its owner to use buses from three local transit systems - the Gloversville Transit, Amsterdam Transit and Montgomery County Xpress - as often as they like during the semester. Local transit directors, bus drivers, college officials and passholders alike agree the new pass can be a great time and money saver for the right person.
About 25 students have purchased the pass, said Vice President for Student Affairs Jane Kelley. Kelley and FMCC President Dustin Swanger agreed they were surprised with the success of the pass in its first semester. The pass was publicized on the first day of the spring semester. The revenue generated from purchased passes is divided, based on where the pass holder is from, among the three transit systems. The college does not receive any revenue from the passes.
"We're very pleased," Kelley said. "It's really convenient for our students to have unlimited access, especially between Amsterdam and Gloversville."
FMCC student Dennis Barrientos purchased the pass at the beginning of the semester once he learned more about it. He said it has made his transportation a lot easier. He said he uses the bus every weekday to get to school and on the weekend as well.
"I constantly forgot my [punch card]," he said. "With the pass, I use my student ID to get food so I have it on me all the time. It just makes stuff easier."
A student shows they have purchased a transit pass by placing a sticker on their student identification card.
"I think it's worth it if you're going to be traveling to FM for a whole semester," he said.
Student Brigitta Tsui agreed. She purchased the pass after losing her punch card several times. She said buying a new punch card every time ended up wasting money, while she doesn't have to worry about losing her ID.
Former FMCC student and current FMCC employee Adam Hallenbeck said he has used the bus system virtually every day for the past four years to travel from Gloversville to FMCC. He said while he recently purchased a car and will no longer be riding the bus as much, he wouldn't have been able to save up the money to do that if it had not been for the bus system.
Hallenbeck said his decision to move to the area and attend FMCC was influenced by the comprehensive bus system in the area.
"When I found out they had a bus system, I decided to come to Fulton County," he said. "I wouldn't have been able to come here if they didn't have buses."
Hallenbeck said while he did not purchase the pass, he might have if he was planning on continuing to use the bus system.
"If you're committed to getting your degree and staying in the area, [buying a pass] definitely makes sense," he said.
Gloversville Transit bus driver Bob Sprung was driving Tsui and Barrientos to FMCC Friday morning. He said he wishes everyone had a pass like the FMCC Transit pass.
"It just makes things so much easier. I'm not a school bus so when I have to stop and people put their change in, people would drive right around me. With the pass, they just got on and I go. It's a lot quicker," he said.
Jacki Meola, director of Montgomery County Xpress, said having a pass is convenient for students because they no longer have to carry the proper loose change at all times.
"I think being able to role it into their financial aid is also really attractive to students," she said.
Meola, Amsterdam Transit Director Cheryl Scott and Gloversville Transit Manager Al Schutz agreed they expect the program to grow in the upcoming fall semester.
"I think word of mouth will only grow the program," Meola said.
Scott said about half of the students who purchased a pass are from the Amsterdam area. The rest are from Gloversville, with about three or four from the western Montgomery County region, she said.
Scott said she was very surprised by the lack of problems in instituting the new program.
"We expected that with a pilot program we would have a lot of glitches, but we didn't," she said. "It was a very smooth transition."
Scott said with more discussion among students about the pass and more information being provided to them across campus and in their financial aid documents, she expects many more students to buy the pass next semester. Schutz agreed.
"The cooperation between the systems and the college has been tremendous," he said. "I'm happy we can help the students. Working with FM has been a great partnership."
For more information about the pass, visit www.co.montgomery.ny.us/mobility/
Kayleigh Karutis covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com
