A discounted Metropass, dubbed the “U-Pass,” may be offered to undergraduate students at participating universities and colleges by January 2007, the TTC announced last Wednesday.
There’s one small catch-all students would pay for the proposed $59 U-Pass in their tuition fees, whether or not they are TTC riders. Under the current proposal, that could mean students would pay nearly $500 more per year in fees with no possibility of opting out.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the TTC, the city, as well as students at the post-secondary level,” said councillor Joe Mihevc, vice-chair of the TTC.
The U-Pass plan is the result of four years of discussion and analysis by the TTC and student groups, including reps from U of T, York, Ryerson, and several other GTA schools.
The program, which could involve up to 150,000 students, would be dependent on the participation of at least three of the city’s seven post-secondary institutions and would be put to a student referendum.
It’s important to note that the U-Pass is currently only in the proposal stages, stressed Jen Hassum, U of T’s VP external.
“SAC is not going to take a position without a proper public forum and consultation with the board of directors and before seeing the details of a plan,” Hassum said.
Students can currently get a monthly Metropass for $87 from their student unions, discounted from the regular rate of $98.25. That reduced rate came after years of lobbying the TTC, Hassum pointed out, and the U-Pass plan resulted from ongoing discussions that continued after that victory.
Student leaders from U of T, Ryerson, York, George Brown, Seneca, and Humber met at Ryerson earlier this week. They decided to wait to take a stance on the U-Pass until the proposal is brought forth at a meeting of TTC officials tomorrow.
SAC plans to hold a town hall meeting for U of T students in February to discuss the proposal. U of T’s administration welcomes the proposal, but says any decision on the pass is in the hands of students.
“We support anything that reduces the cost of transportation for students and supports public transportation,” said vice-provost David Farrar. “The choice to move ahead with the proposed system will have to be determined by a student referendum.”
Mihevc is confident students will support the U-Pass plan.
“The TTC has found a way to make a great offer at a very reasonable price,” he said. “I trust students will seize the opportunity.”
Hassum is more cautious, noting that students who don’t take the TTC on a regular basis might balk at the added cost to their fees.
“If students want to go forward with the U-Pass, we’ll be lobbying all levels of government to help reduce the costs,” Hassum said.
