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.