Ouellette Ave., February 8th 2016, (Photo by Jess Craymer)
Ouellette Ave., February 8th 2016, (Photo by Jess Craymer)
Windsor

UWindsor Holding Bus Pass Referendum Again

The University of Windsor Student Alliance (UWSA) is proposing a bus pass be included in next falls tuition.

The last bus pass referendum was in 2012 when two-thirds of the students voted against it. However, this year there is an opt-out option for those who can prove they live outside the Windsor transit system.

Student President Jaydee Tarpeh says this has sparked a positive reaction.

"In the previous referendums there was no opt-out," says Tarpeh. "Students seem very satisfied that this year there is some sort of option."

The UWSA expects to have over 1,000 students taking classes downtown by next year due to the expanding campus. Tarpeh says this can benefit the city.

"There are other examples like at Brook and McMaster where when they got a student pass the transit system got better," says Tarpeh. "A bus pass will also motivate students to want to travel downtown more."

Nearly all other universities in Ontario offer some sort of student bus pass option.

If the undergraduate and graduate students vote yes, the cost will be $132 for two semesters. If only undergraduate student's pass, the cost will be $165. Currently students who take the bus pay $60 for a monthly bus pass.

Voting takes place on March 16 and 17.

Transit Windsor is offering free rides for UWindsor students this week, as a trial.

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