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Federal ruling snags ‘Bucky Bus’

University of Wisconsin’s Bucky Bus, which provides rides during home football games, may be in danger of extinction when new federal regulations take effect later this month.

Federal Transit Administration rules prohibiting public transportation agencies from providing services other than their regular routes and fares will begin April 20.

According to Metro Transit spokesperson Mick Rusch, the rules will prevent Metro from providing the popular Bucky Bus service as well as the shuttle services it provides for other events.

The Bucky Bus runs every Saturday when there is a Badgers home football game. The shuttle picks fans up and takes them to and from Camp Randall and other stops through Madison for $4.

UW Assistant Athletic Director of Communication Justin Doherty said UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez is scheduled to meet with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz today to discuss possible solutions to the issue.

Doherty added he would not speculate about the possible ramifications of these regulations or what effect they might have on football attendance.

“We know about the issue that we face, and we’re working to find a solution,” Doherty said.

According to George Twigg, Cieslewicz’s communications director, the mayor met with Metro representatives to discuss the possible repercussions and options to ensure these services are still provided.

Twigg said Cieslewicz believes the relationship the city has had with the university and the annual Rhythm and Booms event, as well as other local entities, is very important.

“The mayor’s disappointed that President George Bush is trying to kill the Bucky Bus,” Twigg said.

Rusch, however, said the new laws that “just came out two months ago” are not designed to put a stop to services like Metro’s Bucky Bus. He added the goal of the regulations is to protect private companies and give them a chance to offer these services before the public systems.

According to Rusch, the FTA has created a list of 32 private companies in the area who could provide the service. Though it is a long shot, Metro still has a chance at providing its shuttle service if none of the companies on the list wish do it, Rusch said.

He added he would be very surprised if the Bucky Bus has reached the end of line.

Basically, the Bucky Bus will live on, Rusch said. Metro has to wait to see if any other company would like to provide the service before they can do it themselves.

The loss of the Bucky Bus and other shuttle services will not hurt Metro’s pocketbook, Rusch said.

He added Metro enjoys providing its special services like Bucky Bus, but it stands to lose its federal funding if it violates the regulations.

He said event services give rides to about 50,000 people per year, while its normal operations give rides to about 12.6 million people per year, and losing federal funding would affect Metro’s ability to provide service to this large majority.