Point/counterpoint: Is the U-Pass worth it?
photo by Matt Staroste
Point: A pass too far
THE UPCOMING U-PASS referendum represents a new cost for students that would be far too high. While some students would modestly benefit from reduced transportation costs, this benefit would be subsidized by thousands more who would be handcuffed to a bus pass they neither want nor use. Further undesirable effects include reduced use of healthy transportation alternatives like cycling, and reduced bus access during peak hours due to increased ridership and increased urban sprawl, as students spread to the suburbs in search of cheap rent. The U-Pass is being promoted as a bargain for students; but when one is forced to take a bargain, it loses merit and can hurt financially.
Suppose the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) decided to run a referendum that, if passed, would see students pay $145 every semester for a non-transferable bicycle worth $242. This would increase the number of students riding bicycles to school, but it’s hard to argue every student would benefit from or want this.
The central location of the University of Ottawa is among its best attributes. In addition to the 2,800 students living on campus, thousands more choose to make a downtown neighbourhood home and enjoy the convenience of having most of their needs within walking distance, rarely needing to use the bus. I am among those who find innumerable benefits to living downtown, even though it comes with higher housing costs. Indeed, those living downtown may not have the money to buy bus passes year-round due to the higher costs of having an apartment in the city core. However, they are able to save money by walking, cycling, or skating to school most of the year. An additional payment of $145 by downtown-dwellers would have the effect of increasing urban sprawl by driving students to the suburbs in an attempt to balance their budgets.
From December 2008 to February 2009, Ottawa residents were victims of a bitter strike by OC Transpo bus drivers. When students vote in the U-Pass referendum, we should ask ourselves how we would have liked paying $145 at the start of that fateful winter semester—with no end of the strike in sight—in addition to tuition. Rather than being locked into a contract to buy a bus pass, I value the freedom to choose my level of involvement with OC Transpo, which has decreased to near-zero thanks to the strike, trip cancellations due to poor winter maintenance, and overall lacklustre service.
On top of all this, most U of O students do not use OC Transpo to get to class. In 2008, the university studied how students travel to campus. It found that of those who resided in Ontario, only 48 per cent of students used OC Transpo. These students will favour the monthly cost of the U-Pass—a tax-adjusted $31. But this saves only $21 per month, compared with the current semester pass, and only $13.50 per month compared with a yearly pass.
Since this plan has no opt-out policy, and would effectively see non-bus-riding students subsidize their counterparts, this referendum does not deserve support. On Feb. 8, let’s maintain the right for students to make transportation choices according to their individual preferences for OC Transpo.
—Nicolas Fleet
Counterpoint: Too good to pass up
LET’S FACE IT: the U-Pass is a great deal, and it would be a big mistake for us to give it a miss.
While it’s true that downtown is a great place for students to live, it’s important to note that not all students can afford to live downtown. Many students opt for cheaper places just outside the downtown core, beyond what is considered reasonable walking distance (especially during Ottawa’s cold winters). Even if it’s just three Transitway stations away, bus passes are needed for students to get to and from the university.
And as the University of Ottawa expands to include more and more people, student housing will become more and more limited. It’s the same problem we have with parking on campus—you can’t expand the downtown core, you can only build on top of what’s already there. I think that in the future, more students will live closer to places such as Hurdman station, rather than the ByWard Market. There are even some of us who live all the way out in South Keys (and I say “all the way out” with a bit of a smirk, as I know quite a few students commute from Kanata and Orleans—far further than I do).
For anyone out there thinking that more students riding the bus for less would be detrimental to the environment: get real! You seriously think that more people riding the bus would make for more pollution? In theory, you’re right, but let’s look at it practically: we live in a place called Ottawa. If you’re bussing to school, you’re probably not doing it because you feel that biking is too strenuous; you’re doing it because for five months out of the eight you’re in school, the ground is covered with snow—or because you live too far to walk. And although the thought is nice, I’d be willing to wager money that there are only a handful of people who can actually skate to school. Every year, the U of O also has a problem with finding parking spots for everyone who needs one on campus—with a subsidized bus pass, students would reconsider the hassle of a personal vehicle, and leave their cars at home.
Of course, I, too, was a victim of the bus strike. And while I would love to have the luxury of a lifelong boycott of OC Transpo, it’s just not practical. We should also remember that after the strike, OC Transpo reimbursed those who paid for passes during the months that busses were not on the roads.
Granted, this proposal is not perfect: I do wish that there were some kind of opt-out procedure for those who decide that they would never use it. But even without one, it’s a great chance for many to save money on their daily transport. The SFUO has haggled for the fairest price it can get; it’s only $20 above what was originally offered to students in the last referendum. That still means students who use the pass will save about $100 a semester compared with the current semester pass. The referendum question should be answered with a resounding “Yes.” This offer is the best we’re going to get, students. Let’s take advantage while we still have a chance. —Charlotte Bailey
OC Transpo has always offered a summer semester bus pass (around 220$), and it still has a monthly student bus pass. Not sure what you are referring to?
Are all students forced to pay this? Is it possible to opt out of this? Since 1) I don't take the bus 2) I live in Gatineau and therefore I am un-able to even get an OC Transpo bus pass.
There seems to be very little information out there regarding this issue.
In the end all this does is raise my tuition fees... and therefore can't see myself voting Yes.
Cedrick,
The U-Pass Yes committee's official platform is on the SFUO elections website at http://sfuo.ca/other/elections/en/ref_upass.html. There's no officially registered No side, but seeing as many of the current SFUO executives have been working on the U-Pass project for a while, they may be able to answer any further questions you have.
If the U-Pass referendum question does pass, however, there is no opt-out option. That's one thing I can confirm. From my understanding, the City of Ottawa would not have given the green light to the project, had there been the possibility to opt out.
Cedrick, if you can read French there's an article on larotonde.ca for the STO's position in this matter.
Comparing the principle of the U-Pass to the U of O Sports Services and even to the public health care system as it has been done in the past few weeks is completely wrong.
While I have never used the sports facilities on campus in four years and still paid the ancillary fees for this service, I know that the day I feel like having a swim at Montpetit Hall I won’t be denied access to the pool. Same thing with the health care system we all pay for: I hardly ever get sick and never had an accident in my whole life, but the day it happens, I’m confident that I’ll be taken care of.
The OC Transpo U-Pass is different. It is an issue that concerns Ottawa residents only, which, just like lots of other students, I’m not. Why would we, residents of Rockland, Gatineau, etc., want to see our ancillary fees increased by $145 to allow a minority of OttawaU students to ride the bus while we would still have to pay for our own transportation? The truth of the matter is, even if we wanted to benefit from the “not-to-be-missed offer,” we would not be able to.
The same way I can obtain a tax refund for purchases made in foreign countries, I want to be able to opt out of the U-Pass since I’m not an Ottawa resident and would therefore not be entitled to use that service.
U of O students, vote fairly, vote NO!
Thank you Emma and Joan for the information.
As for the opt-out clause that I was hoping for, I had figured the same as you point out. I was just hoping that perhaps it would be like the Health and Dental Insurance coverage. Since I already pay for it elsewhere, why pay for it twice.
Kinda like the bus pass... For me to take the bus for a semester it would cost, $348 for 4 months (STO Express), plus my car (since I need to get to a park and ride), plus $145 for the Upass (that I cannot get). I don't pay $500 a semester in gas for university... and if you look around parking can be free.
Thank you once again for the info.
@Maxime
I am referring to the fact that the U-Pass rate will not apply in the Summer - sure I can get a normal student semester pass, but why not have the U-Pass cover me for that time too? The summer is when I need a bus pass the most, lots of students take school in the summer - but this plan leaves them out.
I believe that there should be an opt-out option for the U-pass, although it does put kinks in the concept of a "universal" bus pass. However I am in full support of the U-pass. I am a co-op student and therefore have the possibility of working anywhere in Ottawa or Gatineau, which is where I currently work. What this article focuses on is commuting to school. For those students who live further away this pass is definitely a bonus. For co-op students, and regular students who have full or part time jobs it is also very useful.
But for regular students, this U-pass will give them the opportunity to explore more of Ottawa at will! They will be able to go to different malls, movie theatres, beaches (in the summer) and every other attraction accessible by public transit! Isn't that a positive? I have found with my bus pass that I have explored the city much more than I did in first and second year. It gives students the chance to get outside of the university bubble and do something different.
Other bonuses could be cutting down on taxi money from the bars or the grocery store, being able to hop on any bus when in a hurry or in frigid winter weather.
Just because I advocate for the u-pass doesn't mean that I don't like walking. I usually get off at Campus rather than Lees to get home because i enjoy the longer walk. I love walking, but I also really appreciate the ability to take the bus at will.
One question:I know one can use the regular OC transpo passes and transfers on STO and vice versa (only tickets are exempted, would the U-pass not qualify for the same treatment? (Have not seen any info on the STO reaction)
I am curious to know what considerations does the U-pass has for express buss passes? I live in Orleans and I rely on express busses now.
@ Laura:
As it stands, the U-Pass will not be applicable to STO routes, but as I understand it there are plans in the works to somehow allow students to use their U-Pass on STO busses, whether it be via opting-in to another plan as well, potentially paying an extra fee, etc. STO and OC Transpo operate very differently, mainly because they are managed under entirely different and separate municipalities.
@ Omer:
According to an answer Yes committee member Roxanne Dubois gave at the SFUO elections debates last week, yes, the U-Pass will be applicable for all OC Transpo routes.
@Laura: Currently, OC Transpo bus passes are valid on STO routes after 9am.
http://sto.ca/tarification/octranspo_reseau_sto_e.html
This is great for Gatineau students who don't have a class before 10am. Terrible for those who have 8:00/8:30 class, since they'll have to pay full fare every week to get to it.
I was originally in support of this bus pass until I discovered that I would not receive the low rate during the Summer semester - this uPass seems like a poor solution to the problem.