THUNDER BAY – A universal bus pass will continue to be provided through student fees at both Lakehead University and Confederation College for at least one more year.
Lakehead University Student Union president Roman Jakubowski on Wednesday confirmed an agreement had been reached with Thunder Bay Transit for a one-year extension to the uPass agreement, with students facing a slight price increase for the 2016-2017 school year.
Chris Cartwright, president of the Student Union of Confederation College, also confirmed the agreement is in place for college students.
Under the extension, students will be paying about $103 for the pass next school year.
The system was established in 2007 with each student paying $70 as part of their annual fees for the pass. Students could only opt out of the agreement if they lived in a rural area of the city outside of the transit network.
The cost of the agreement has gradually increased to $95 this year, but last month Jakubowski said transit officials were seeking to hike the rate to upwards of $200 per pass.
Jakubowski said he saw many students “outraged” on social media about the prospect of either having to pay significantly more or lose the pass all together.
“I think people who are heavily reliant upon the uPass are certainly worried the city will cancel the deal,” he said. “They’re also frustrated that someone would even ask for increases of this magnitude. I think students feel a little walked over.”
The partnership with both student unions results in a total of about $1 million in revenue for transit.
Student union leaders are expected to provide a deputation before city council next Monday.
