Dal group pushes for optional U-Pass

Nicolette Wodzunski, a second-year environmental studies student at Dalhousie, said she uses her U-Pass at least three times a week. (Photo: David Kumagai)

The Dalhousie Liberty Society is planning to squash the mandatory U-Pass, the university's transit program that all students purchase but only some use.

The group, which supports small government and individual liberty, will bring a motion before the Dalhousie Student Union this year, requesting students be able to opt out of the bus pass.

Ben Wedge, executive director of the society, argues that students who don't ride the bus shouldn't be forced to sponsor their peers.

"Students who choose to pay more to live downtown shouldn't have to subsidize students who choose to live in Clayton Park," said the third-year engineering student.

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Students board the #1 bus on Coburg Road using their U-Pass. (Photo: David Kumagai)

Timeline

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A history of the U-Pass in Halifax

Related Stories

• MSVU to keep U-Pass (Dec 1, 2010)

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Related Websites

• Metro Transit UPass Site
• Dalhousie's UPass Site
• Dalhousie Liberty Society Facebook Page

Chris Saulnier, the president of the DSU, said Metro Transit won't consider a voluntary pass, because it would be more profitable to scrap the program entirely.

"Being able to opt out would change the way the program works: the program would no longer exist," wrote Saulnier in an email to UNews.

Saulnier and King's Students' Union president Kiki Wood agreed to a $17 price increase over the summer, bringing the total cost for eight months of bus service to $135.

The U-Pass was introduced to Dalhousie and King's in 2006 as a mandatory charge of $117. Saint Mary's University, Mount Saint Vincent University and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design also participate in the program.

Student unions frustrated

Wood said Metro Transit was "disrespectful" in waiting until May to inform the schools of the increase.

"They felt like they could just levy fees on us without asking," she said.

Wood supports an optional U-Pass and said it's "stupid" for Metro Transit not to consider it.

Metro Transit was not available for comment. Wood said the schools have hardly been in contact with Metro Transit since Dan English, the Halifax Regional Municipality's chief administrative officer, resigned in July.

Metro Transit, which is still without a chief administrator, hasn't given Dalhousie or King's a new contract to sign. Wood expects it to be a three-year deal based on their negotiations over the summer.

Dan Sherwin, a fourth-year student at King's, supports the mandatory U-Pass, though he only rides the bus about once or twice a month.

He compared it to the mandatory athletic fee, calling it "important to provide these valuable services whether [students] choose to use them or not."

While Sherwin said he might have chosen to opt out of the U-Pass if it was possible, he enjoys not having to worry about money every time he wants to take the bus.

"It's a significant improvement on quality of life," he said.

Students pay for the bus service as part of their tuition fees and then pick up the U-Pass sticker from the DalCard office. But the DalCard office said many students don't bother getting their passes until winter.

Wedge isn't sure when the society will raise the U-Pass opt-out proposal with Saulnier and the union, but he vowed to do it within the year.

"Much of our campaign will involve lobbying senior administrators," said Wedge.

The fate of the U-Pass ultimately lies with Saulnier and the rest of Dalhousie's board of governors.

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