University students riding the bus may be able to pocket a little extra cash come this summer.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Transportation is currently writing its budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in July. Part of its budget plan includes offering students a discounted fare for bus rides on the transit system.

According to Glen Miller, director of the Department of Transportation, the department has been trying for a few years to put a discounted rate to students for bus passes into action. But it has been a slow process thus far for reasons he left unstated.

A discounted semester rate will allow students to "better understand how the transit system can work for them," Miller said.

The transit system currently offers discounted rates for K-12 students and seniors who buy monthly bus passes.

What the FNSB DOT is trying to offer UAF students is a discounted semester rate of $50.00 for a bus pass that would be good for roughly four months.

Currently, students have to buy the same passes as the rest of the public, spending $36.00 per month for regular fare.

Compared to buying monthly passes for a four-month semester, the proposed discounted pass rate would be a steal.

Students who currently rely on the bus system as their means for transportation and buy the monthly passes are spending $144 per semester in bus fares.

If the discounted rate passes, students could save $94 on bus fare for the semester if they were to buy monthly passes for four months in a row.

The process assembly met April 7 to review and discuss the proposed budget during a budget work session.

The meeting, which reviewed the budget containing the student discount proposal, was closed to the public.

Those who wish to weigh in on the matter can attend the borough's assembly meeting for public testimony on May 3.

Assembly meetings take place at the Fairbanks North Star Borough, located at 809 Pioneer Road in Fairbanks. If more time is needed for public input there will be a second meeting scheduled for May 17, though Miller said he believes it probably won't be necessary.

In the past, the Metropolitan Area Commuter System provided for free transportation through the winter thanks to a government grant.

But this year, the borough began charging bus riders $0.50 per ride in the winter. The rates increased to their summer levels this month to $1.50 per ride.

If the budget plan is passed the discounted semester fares will be in effect beginning July 1 for students to purchase.