COMMUTER VALUE PASS PROGRAM
A GREAT WAY TO GET TO AND FROM WORK!
What is the Commuter Value Pass (CVP)?
The City of Milwaukee is committed to doing all it can to minimize traffic congestion on our streets and freeways and maximize the use of mass transit. This program is an economical and environmentally friendly way to commute to and from work. The CVP is an unlimited use photo ID bus pass sponsored by Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) for use on all MCTS buses, including freeway flyers and special event buses, at all times that MCTS buses are running. There is no extra premium for the freeway flyers (within the County) or special event buses.
How do I enroll in the CVP program?
The CVP program is open to all benefit full and part-time City employees and Seasonal Employees. Sworn Fire and Police personnel are not eligible for this program. This program is not intended for dependents of City employees. To enroll in the CVP program, you must make an appointment with Employee Relations to complete an enrollment form and have your picture taken. Call Employee Relations at 286-8111 or 286-2988 to schedule an appointment before the 15th of any month in order to have your pass by the first of the next month.
How long is the pass valid? Do I have to buy one each week?
That is the beauty of this program. The CVP pass is valid for 90 days at a time, one full quarter. At the end of each quarter a new validation sticker will be issued to you that you are to stick onto your pass to re-validate it for another quarter.
What is the cost of the CVP pass?
Effective 1/1/08, $30.50 per month! That’s right…only $30.50 per month. The full cost of the pass is actually $61.00 per month, but the City subsidizes almost half of the cost. This is quite a deal. If you ride the bus regularly you know that weekly bus passes or tickets will cost you $16.00 per week in 2008. In a month’s time that equals minimally $64.00. So $30.50 per month is at least a $33.50 per month savings. The cash fare price is $2, and the freeway flyer cash fare is $2.75.
How do I pay for the pass?
The $30.50 employee cost for this program is payroll deducted as an after-tax payroll deduction on the first paycheck of each month. It doesn’t matter when you enroll in the program, at the beginning, middle or end of a quarter. Your deduction is always for the month of coverage. No more forgetting to buy a pass or tickets and no more standing in line.
What if I only ride the bus one-way or I don’t ride the bus while I’m on vacation?
Consider the cost of the CVP program at only $30.50 per month compared to the cost of buying a weekly bus pass or 10 bus tickets. Each weekly pass or 10 bus tickets would cost you $16.00. Minimally there are 20 days per month that you would ride the bus. If you bought bus tickets, you would have to spend $32.00 (2 x $16.00) for 20 bus tickets to ride one-way. If you ride the bus full time and are away on vacation for two weeks, you would still have to spend $32.00 to purchase two weekly passes at $16.00 each or 20 tickets @ $16.00 for each 10 tickets.
Also consider the convenience of this program. You never have to remember to purchase another weekly pass or bus tickets. If you work in the downtown area, consider how much it would cost you to park your car in a garage or parking lot downtown, not to mention the wear and tear on your car. As long as you remain in the program, you will have a valid unlimited use bus pass and none of the above concerns.
What if I want to dis-enroll from the CVP program?
You must contact Employee Relations by at least the 15th of the month before the month you want your dis-enrollment to become effective. You are required to return your CVP pass to Employee Relations before your dis-enrollment will be processed. Failure to return your pass will result in you having to pay the full $61.00 cost per month for the remaining valid period left on your pass.
What if I want to re-enroll in the program at some future date?
If you dis-enroll from the CVP program, you will not be able to re-enroll for a period of 60 days. Until you tell us differently, your enrollment will continue from month to month, year to year.
What if I lose my CVP pass?
You must safeguard your new CVP pass diligently. A lost pass is a costly inconvenience to you. Lost passes will be replaced at $10 for the first replacement and $20 for all future replacements, with a maximum of 2 replacements per year. Until a replacement pass can be produced by MCTS, you have to pay full fare or find another means of getting to work. Contact Employee Relations to order a replacement CVP pass.
Also, Seasonal Employees must remember to return their pass to Employee Relations when they are laid off in the fall. This is especially important if your lay-off takes place in either the first or second month of a quarter. The City is charged for any un-returned passes at $61.00 per month. This cost will be passed on to you.
Contact Employee Relations at 286-8111 to enroll in the Program or to make a change in the Program., OR click here to send an Email message.
We schedule appointments between the 1st and 15th of every month. Your enrollment is effective the 1st of the next month. Make your appointment today and leave the driving to MCTS.