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by Alaina Arp

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MBC Offers Student Discount on Tri-Met Tickets

Students can buy discounted Tri-Met tickets from Cindy Wantz in the business office in Sutcliffe. --Heather Peacock, photo

Multnomah Bible College offers public transit tickets for a discounted price to students for school-related activities.

The discount is 25 percent off regular ticket prices. With the discount, a book of two-zone adult tickets regularly costing $17.50 will cost students $13.50.

Multnomah's business office sells Tri-Met tickets in books of 10. Although MBC does not offer Tri-Met passes, students can buy the passes off-campus and then bring the receipt to the business office to receive the discount.

All students commuting to Multnomah via Tri-Met are eligible for the discount. Students living on campus can buy discounted tickets, but only if they are using mass transit for class or student ministry purposes. A number of students living on campus use the MAX for transportation to their student ministries.

Tracy Moreschi, human resources director, stressed that the discounted tickets are for school-related use only. "We're not subsidizing everyone's rides on the MAX," Ms. Moreschi said.

However, students should not expect a formal inquiry when they buy their discounted tickets. Cindy Wantz of students accounts said, "We'll ask just to make sure the discount applies."

Ms. Moreschi said that Multnomah created the discount to encourage students to use mass transit and leave their cars at home. "Everyone recognizes the parking struggle on campus. I recommend students use the subsidy to help alleviate the problem and be more environmentally friendly," she said.

Riding the Tri-Met to MBC may also help commuter students save money. Ms. Wantz said she noted more students riding Tri-Met with the rise in gas prices.

The extra 25 percent off the ticket price comes straight from MBC's budget. Because MBC is a non-profit organization and tax exempt, it is ineligible for city or state subsidies. Ms. Moreschi said she believes the added cost to the college is not a burden. "It means we really believe in this because we are willing to pay for it out of the budget," she said.

Alexis Flatau, a sophomore and commuter, drives to MBC from Gresham. Although Flatau agreed the discount was tempting, she said she will not likely switch to the Tri-Met system because driving takes less time.

However, Ms. Wantz said that some students enjoy riding the MAX because they can study while they ride.

The fact that MBC offers the discount has not been widely advertised. Wantz said that students usually learn about the ticket discount by word of mouth.

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