University of Toronto undergraduates have rejected a program that would have provided deeply discounted TTC passes to students.

In a three-day referendum that ended Wednesday, full-time undergraduate students at the university’s downtown St. George campus decided against adopting the U-Pass program, with 65.6 per cent of voters opposed.

The U-Pass program would have provided roughly 40,000 students with TTC passes for about $70 a month, much less than a regular post-secondary pass, which costs $116.75.

But the program proved controversial. It was designed to be revenue neutral for the TTC by compelling all students to pay for the passes through a levy tacked on to their annual student fees, regardless of whether they use transit.

A Facebook page set up in opposition to the plan warned the U-Pass would “unfairly place financial burden on students who live on residence or near campus” and don’t need a transit pass.

The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) had backed the U-Pass idea. In a statement after the vote, UTSU President Mathias Memmel said the referendum result was “strong indication” the program wouldn’t work without an opt-out provision for students who live near campus.

“Transit and housing remain significant barriers to affordable and accessible post-secondary education for our diverse student body. We look forward to working constructively with ... provincial parties and city council in advance of the upcoming election. We also hope to continue our productive conversations with the TTC board,” said Memmel.

He said that with more than 12,400 people casting ballots, the referendum turnout was the highest in a decade.

The TTC board approved the program on March 20, and proponents argued it would provide the transit agency with a guaranteed stream of revenue while also boosting ridership. But to participate, eligible schools have to hold a referendum among students.

Although U of T was the first institution to hold a vote, the TTC has identified George Brown College, Ryerson University, and OCAD University as other potential candidates for the U-Pass.

Implementing the program at York University is seen as more contentious because many of the school’s students come from outside of Toronto and have less occasion to use the TTC.

“I am disappointed that University of Toronto students voted against adopting the TTC discounted U-Pass. We hope the other Toronto colleges and universities vote differently and take advantage,” said TTC Chair Josh Colle in an emailed statement.

U-Pass programs have been implemented at schools in other cities across Canada. But this is at least the second time a Toronto school has voted it down. U of T’s Scarborough campus rejected the idea in a 2008 referendum.