The line for a monthly TTC Metropass is something that many Ryerson students know about. Even those who have never owned one may have friends or classmates who dread going to wait in the line at the end of every month to shell out $96, the current price for a VIP TTC Metropass. VIP Metropasses are bought on a monthly basis by the holder, are transferable, and are sold to groups in bulk so they can be re-sold for a lesser cost than the $109 full price Metropass.

The Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) and the Toronto Transit Commission are trying to solve this problem by offering all full-time students an eight month pass, at the reduced rate of $60 per month, or 60 per-cent of the full price of an adult pass. The fee for the entire school year would be $480 and would be included in each student’s tuition as an ancillary fee. Students taking the TTC for three or four round trips per week would benefit from the pass. Just like the current VIP Metropass, available to students, the new U-Pass would be tax deductable.

 

Photo Courtesy of Emily Barker

Mayor David Miller attended the Jan. 17 Townhall on proposed U-pass.

The proposed eight-month Metropass is an all-in or all-out deal. Because it includes all students, there will be a referendum before a deal is made.

“Chris (Drew) and I are trying to get the best deal we can and then we will put it to you guys for a vote,” said Nora Loreto, President of the RSU, at a town hall meeting on Thursday at Oakham House. Loreto said that the referendum will likely take place in the coming fall semester.

“If it is a fall referendum, there is a possibility that we will be able to get it operating for January,” said TTC commissioner, Adam Giambrone. “I would be very very surprised if the referendum isn’t passed. In our market research, 99 per-cent of students said that they would use the pass if they had it.”

For those students who come from places outside the GTA, the same plan will be offered with York Region Transit (YRT), and GO Transit will offer a $60 credit per month instead of the TTC Metropass.

“We have three major transit groups participating, so this could be groundbreaking,” said TTC market research director, Mike Anders.

Because the pass depends on a referendum, all students would have to purchase one as part of their student fees. At Thursday’s meeting, Giambrone said that the only exception would be for people who have disabilities that would prevent them from taking public transit. The majority of students would not be able to opt-out.

Mayor David Miller, who was also in attendance at Thursday’s meeting thinks that the U-Pass is a great idea for students.

“We have environmental goals, and want to encourage people to use public transit,” Miller said.“We want to promote the idea of supporting public transit in Toronto to students.”

Giambrone also stated another reason the TTC has interest in making the U-Pass available to students. “Not all students have to show up to school at 9a.m., so we like it because you won’t always be taking the TTC during the peak times.” Giambrone added that the costs associated with adding more streetcars, busses and subway cars necessary to transport more people will be paid by the TTC.

“We know once students start using it, it will be phenomenally successful,” Miller said. “If you have the pass you have a passport for the city. If you come down to Exhibition Place to see Toronto FC, and I hope you do, you’ll take the streetcar. Who knows? You might come out to Scarborough for a visit too.”

The card would be similar in appearance to the one that Mayor Miller himself carries. The front of the card displays the name and photo of the cardholder, making it non-transferable.

“(The U-Pass) will be beautiful. It will look like this,” said Miller, holding up his “Mayor” Metropass. “Only it would not say Mayor on it.”

Currently, the $60 per-month rate has been frozen until the end of 2008, giving universities time to make a decision.

“We’re hoping that everyone will have it, Ryerson, York, U of T. That’s how the pricing was developed,” Giambrone said. “But if it’s only Ryerson, we’re with you all the way.”