go!pass FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about go!passes:
go!pass basics:
- What is a go!pass?
- Why should my business or organization purchase go!passes?
- What are the requirements for participating in the go!pass program?
- How do I know if my business is located within the Downtown Development Authority boundaries?
- How do I order go!passes?
- How much do go!passes cost?
- How do I use the go!pass?
- What are the dates through which 2007-2008 go!passes are valid?
go!pass discounts:
Ordering go!passes:
- When can I purchase a go!pass?
- How do I order go!passes?
- Some of my full-time employees won’t use their go!pass, why do I need to buy one for them?
- I’m the owner of the business & have my own parking space, do I need buy a go!pass for me too?
Lost go!passes and ordering additional go!passes
Other go!pass questions
- Can I share the go!pass with my family or friends?
- What if I no longer work downtown, can I still use my go!pass?
- What if an employee is under 18 years old?
- I have never ridden the bus, where can I get more information?
- Why are University of Michigan students and staff ineligible for go!passes?
What is a go!pass?
The go!pass is an unlimited usage bus pass available to employees who work within the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) boundary (excluding UM employees and students).
With their go!pass, downtown employees can ride all AATA buses for free, including routes servicing all AATA Park and Ride lots in Ann Arbor. And employees can use the pass whenever they want, not just for commuting to work.
another perk to having a go!pass is the discounts from area businesses.
Downtown businesses can purchase go!passes for their employees at an annual cost of only $5.00 per employee. This price is much cheaper than buying regular bus passes ($37.50 a month) or purchasing parking spaces (starting at $125 a month).
Why should my business purchase go!passes?
- Employee benefit: The go!pass is a great way to offer a benefit to your employees that costs you almost nothing.
- Save money: at $5 per employee, a go!pass is a much cheaper option that paying for employee parking.
- Enhance your customers' shopping experience: If your employees take the bus to work, it reduces congestion in the downtown and makes the shopping experience more pleasant for consumers.
- Go green: When you offer the go!pass you are showing your commitment to a healthy environment, because taking the bus is less polluting than driving a car.
- Contribute to a vibrant and healthy downtown: You will join more than 360 businesses and 5,000 employees who already enjoy the benefits of a go!pass. Click here to discover a list of participants!
What other benefits does the go!pass offer?
In addition to using a go!pass to ride all AATA buses for FREE, you can also get discounts at a number of different downtown businesses simply by showing your pass.
What are the requirements for participating in the go!pass program?
1) Business owners and/or managers must purchase go!passes for all their full-time employees. Many businesses purchase go!passes for full and part- time employees, but a business is only required to purchase passes for all full-time employees.
2) An organization must be located within the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority Boundaries to be eligible to receive go!passes.
3) Business owners will be asked to record the go!pass number of each employee and to make sure that employees forfeit their passes upon termination of their employment. Businesses are provided with tips on keeping track of go!passes. Many downtown businesses charge a deposit for the go!pass or have employees sign a contract. The getDowntown program will discuss the requirements with the business owner or manager before they enroll in the program.
How do I know if my business is located within the Downtown Development Authority boundaries?
Click here to see if your business is located with Downtown Development Authority boundaries .
How do I order go!passes?
1) Complete the go!pass order form (PDF - 128kb).
2) Submit one of the following forms of employee verification:
a. Michigan Quarterly Wage Report
b. Payroll list that lists all full-time and participating part-time employees
c. For small businesses, it is acceptable to submit a typed letter on company letterhead that lists all full-time employees and participating part-time employees and is signed by the business owner.
3) Submit payment. We accept credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or American Express), checks, money orders, or cash in person. Go!passes are $5 per pass.
4) Go!passes will be delivered to your business within seven days of receiving your complete order.
I just hired a new employee, how do I get that person a go!pass?
Additional go!passes are $5 each and can be ordered at any time. Passes are usually ready within a week of being ordered. To order additional passes, please fill out the go!pass additional order form.
When can I purchase a go!pass?
go!passes can be purchased at anytime during the year. To order a go!pass, please fill out an order form.
How much do go!passes cost?
go!passes cost $5 and are valid for a year. This is extremely affordable relative to a regular bus pass ($37.50 per month) or parking pass (up to $125 per month).
Some of my full-time employees won’t use their go!pass, why do I need to buy one for them?
We understand that not all employees in an organization will want to use their go!passes, but we ask that you purchase them for all full-time employees because”
1) It helps keep the cost of the go!passes low for those who are using them.
2) We are trying to encourage shifts in behavior! We don’t want you to drive your car downtown if it’s at all possible. With routes within a ¼ mile of most households in Ann Arbor and Park & Ride lots for those commuting from outside of Ann Arbor, we think it’s feasible for most downtown employees to use the bus and we’d like to encourage you to do so, at least every once in a while!
3) Even for those employees who won’t ever use their go!pass to ride the bus, there are still perks to having a go!pass. A number of downtown businesses offer discounts to downtown employees with go!passes, click here to see a complete listing.
I’m the owner of the business & have my own parking space, do I need buy a go!pass for me too?
Yes! See above.
What are the dates through which 2007-2008 go!passes are valid?
2007-2008 go!passes are valid November 1st, 2007- October 31st, 2008.
How do I use my go!pass?
Just show your go!pass to bus driver when you board the bus. You don’t need to swipe your card.
What happens if I lose my go!pass?
Fill out a go!pass replacement form (PDF) The cost for replacing a lost go!pass is $25. Also, please notify the getDowntown Program if you've lost your pass. We might be able to find it.
Can I share the go!pass with my family or friends?
No, your go!pass is not transferable. It is a benefit you receive from your employer. Sharing your go!pass with others, places your organization at risk of being ineligible to receive go!passes in the future. However, your friends and family can purchase tokens and/or monthly bus passes directly from AATA. Visit AATA's website, (www.theride.org) for more information.
What if I am no longer working for my employer downtown, can I still use my go!pass?
Nope! Your go!pass belongs to your employer, you must return it to your employer upon termination of your employment just as you would return your office keys.
Are employees under 18 eligible to receive go!passes?
Individuals under the age of 18 working for a participating business downtown must carry proof of employment with the business in addition to their go!pass. AATA drivers may ask employees who appear to be under 18 years old for additional identification. If they do so, please try not to be offended. The drivers are just trying to make sure the go!pass is being used legally.
I have never tried taking the bus, where can I get more information?
When you receive your go!pass, you will also receive a current bus schedule, a list of Park & Ride Lots, a brochure about how to utilize the bike racks on the bus and additional biking, walking and carpooling information. If you would like additional information or have questions, contact the getDowntown program director, Nancy Shore, at 734.214.0100 or visit AATA's website (www.theride.org).
Why are University of Michigan students and staff ineligible for go!passes?
As of August 1, 2004, all University of Michigan faculty, staff, and students with yellow or white Mcards can ride all AATA routes for free. As such, employers are NOT required to purchase go!passes for employees who also work or are students at the University of Michigan.
For more information about the go!pass, use our go!Pass Interest Form to contact the getDowntown program.
