THUNDER BAY — Once the votes were counted, there was a close 60-40 split in favour of keeping the bus pass for Lakehead University students at an increased cost.
Despite declining support for the Lakehead University Student Union U-pass, 63.5 per cent of voting students were in favour of keeping it, with 36.5 per cent voting no. The voter turnout was low, as just over 21 per cent of the student body cast ballots on the issue.
LUSU president Faraz Khorsandi spoke about the annual increase for the pass over the next three years.
"From September 2024 to August 2027, we'll have annually an increase of 11.5 per cent per the referendum."
When broken down monthly, students are paying $18.81, and the cost is expected to increase to $26.06 by the third year.
Khorsandi spoke about how the referendum came to be before a student vote.
"[City] transit was asking us to increase it for 7.5 per cent for the next few years - this was above what we have in our constitution for increases, which is 5 per cent.
"So we had to bring it to our student body to think about it."
Khorsandi said the student union was told that certain routes were going to be cut.
"We were told that, route one, which is the main line, and route four, which is Neebing, are being cut next month. This will not only affect the students but anyone who's using it, like our community members.
"We have less services and less buses coming. A lot of students are not being able to go to classes, they're missing the classes, their jobs and the hours as well are not good. Students have agreed to this increase, but they want something in return. They want good services, they want more buses."
He also said that many international students rely on the buses to get around and have also voiced concern for their safety when riding city transit.
While the referendum is yet to be ratified, the current deal will be in place for the next three years.
Khorsandi said because of the current agreement, there are no plans at the moment to look for alternative transportation options for students until that term is closer to being expired.
