As the expiry for the U-Pass agreement draws closer, the City of Ottawa’s transit commission is telling students to take the deal or lose the pass completely.
The commission met with student representatives from Carleton University and the University of Ottawa on Wednesday. City councillors are unanimous in their support for the U-Pass, but agree the price must be raised from $145 per semester to $180 for 2012-2013 in order to run a revenue- neutral program.
“This is a substantial discount over all other options for students today,” said Alain Mercier, the general manager of transit services.
Students from the two universities argued that the U-Pass program brought OC Transpo ridership to an all-time high, which should work to offset the increased price. They argued that the city already has the most expensive student bus pass program in the country and new route optimization, implemented in the fall, has students questioning why they are paying more for less service.
“When students voted on the bus pass two years ago, service was at a better level than it is now,” said Elizabeth Kessler of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa. “The same level of service to campuses is not being maintained.”
The university representatives told council that their student body would not vote in approval of the $35 increase when held to a referendum. The transit commission accused the students of generating opposition and actively trying to have the program rejected.
Coun. Diane Deans, chair of the commission, said that the students must be prepared to take the deal or lose the U-Pass program altogether and revert back to student semester passes.
“It’s not about $140 or $180. It’s now about $180 or more than $300.”