In an attempt to ease its employees’ parking problems, the Fairview-University Medical Center will offer them a new bus pass for unlimited, citywide use.
MetroPass is a “personalized, go-anywhere-at-anytime-as-often-as-you-want” bus pass from Metro Transit.
A commuter survey sent to the 8,500 Fairview-University employees prompted the program. Although only 19 percent of employees from the Riverside and University hospitals responded, officials had enough information to understand the situation.
According to the survey, 85 percent of respondents drive to work alone. Fewer than 5 percent ride the city bus.
Inconvenient bus service topped the respondents’ list of commuting issues. However, 76 percent of the respondents stated they were willing to try an alternative to driving alone.
Officials created MetroPass to give employees that alternative.
Beginning Wednesday, Fairview employees can purchase the pass for $30 a month. Depending on where an employee is traveling from, the price is $24 to $46 a month less than publicly available passes.
Along with MetroPass, employees can sign up for the Guaranteed Ride Home program, which provides vouchers for taxi service in case of an emergency.

Craig Gustafson covers the Medical School and welcomes comments at [email protected].