By Jakob Sanderson

Students at the University of Manitoba will get the chance from February 12-14 to cast their ballot in a binding referendum determining the fate of the U-Pass. Photo: UMSU
This week we are asking you to vote to save UMSU’s most-utilized service.
The U-Pass program, which provides unlimited transit access for all full-time students in the transit service area, is up for review this year, and we believe strongly that this review should conclude with a strong endorsement from University of Manitoba students.
We are having this referendum for a couple of reasons. First, the cost is slated to increase to $160.75 per term due city budgetary constraints and the addition of Red River College to the program. But please understand, that while this increase was vigorously opposed by UMSU, the cost of the U-Pass program will still be significantly less than what students will have to pay next year for a post-secondary transit pass if the U-Pass is taken away ($326.60 for four monthly passes, or $278.00 for a full term pass).
Currently, 59% of students are daily users of the U-Pass. We also know that students using transit are more likely to be within the lowest income brackets in society, and that if the U-Pass was removed, these students would have to pay over $250.00 more each year for transit service; almost as much as the cost of an additional course.
The program has also been a highly successful representation of University of Manitoba students’ commitment to environmental sustainability. Since the U-Pass began there has been a 25% increase in ridership on routes to and from the University of Manitoba. This decreases traffic substantially and makes a big impact on reducing fossil fuel emissions from vehicles.
This week, you have the option as well to consider extending the U-Pass into the summer months. For an additional $77.15 – less than the cost of a one-month post-secondary pass ($81.65) – the winter term U-Pass will be extended through to the end of the summer and you will have unlimited access to transit all year round.
When you open up your ballot from February 12th – 14th at umsu.simplyvoting.com we ask you to rank your preferences between continuing enrollment, adding a summer option, and discontinuing the U-Pass. But especially, we ask you to strongly consider selecting either option that preserves the essential service of the U-Pass so that this campus continues to lead the way on sustainability and provide affordable access to education.
Sincerely,
Jakob Sanderson
UMSU President