U-Pass approved at two Winnipeg universities

WINNIPEG – Taking the bus just got easier for University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg students.

By September 2016 every student will get a universal bus pass valid for the eight month school year after voting in favour of it on Wednesday and Friday.

“The bus is my only option so U-Pass I’m all for it,” said Connor Turk, a university student.

The transit pass comes at a price though, tuition at the universities will go up $260 for all students, regardless if they take the bus or not.

Taxpayers will also get hit annually, shelling out a $1 million subsidy.

But for students who do use transit it means major savings. Buying a monthly bus pass for eight months currently costs a student $542 but once the U-Pass kicks in they’ll save $282.

“Saving money on a bus pass and you’ve got unlimited bus fare, so why not,” said Turk.

While not all students agree with paying for the U-Pass, its aim is to offer students a more affordable means of public transportation.

“It won’t be fair for everyone, that’s not an ideal society but at the same time I have a car but I can also take the bus,” said Beibei Lu, a university student.

“They’re promoting more environmentally friendly transportation so on a student budget its not a bad idea,” said Turk.

At the U of W 82 percent of students who voted said yes to the U-Pass while 53 percent of voting students at the U of M voted in favour.