31 percent increase proposed for U-Pass

With the U-Pass vote beginning Tuesday, UTMSU has been campaigning for the last two weeks in an effort to encourage students to vote yes for a new summer U-Pass. and continue the current eight month U-Pass. With all the UTMSU representatives sporting yellow “I HEART U-Pass” t-shirts, students could not avoid being handed a flyer or interrupted during class.

A Facebook group started by UTMSU was also used to campaign and sought support. UTMSU members and representatives changed their profile pictures to yellow “I HEART U-Pass” posters and encouraged others to do the same.

With over 9,000 students picking up their U-Pass last year, the service is being proposed to extend into the 2011/2012 school year, but only if the referendum passes.

Last year’s U-Pass price, and the price for the last four years, was $99.14 and was automatically added to every full-time student’s tuition. The referendum is lobbying for an increase of 31% for the eight-month U-Pass, to a new price of $130 for every full-time student and there is no opt-out option.

Mississauga Transit stated that regular tickets and weekly and monthly passes are already an opt-in/out-out option for those travelling by public transportation.

A new summer U-Pass is being proposed $85. If passed, the price will be added to the tuition of all students enrolled in summer classes, whether part-time or full-time. The U-Pass Facebook page states that the original proposed cost for a summer U-Pass was $200.

Part-time students are still not included in the eight-month U-Pass for the 2011/2012 school year because Mississauga Transit believes they will use the U-Pass for leisurely activities, rather than travelling to and from campus.

UTMSU is also working on a petition to decrease parking pass costs by 10% in the coming year.

“Commuters and drivers need to stand together and support each other, so that both groups have the ability to travel in an affordable manner. Students deserve an eight-month and summer U-Pass AND a reduction in parking fees, and by working together, we can achieve it!” states the U-Pass Facebook page.

Voting will take place from November 23 to 25, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Davis Building, CCIT, and the North Building. Students are asked to bring their T-Cards to voting stations.

For more information about the U-Pass students can access their Facebook page by searching “Heart Your U-Pass? Vote YES!”

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