Victoria Silman | Staff Writer

Featured image: After consultations, TTC is open to the possibility of including York in the lower cost U-Pass. | Basma Elbahnasawy

The TTC has approved a Universal Pass (U-Pass) for post-secondary students in Toronto, with York as an eligible candidate.

According to the 2018 TTC U-Pass Policy Framework report, the pass will be integrated into student tuition, and will cost $70 per month. The report also states the pass will be rolled out with PRESTO cards.

If initiated, U-Pass will be a mandatory cost within tuition. However, there are concerns of potential financial burdens placed on students, which the TTC addressed in its report: “An opt-out provision will be offered to accommodate these students.

“These opt-out requests will be assessed by the post-secondary institution on a case-by-case basis.”

There are concerns within the York community about the fairness of the pass. Since many students utilize other forms of transportation, including YRT, Züm, and GO Transit, students have expressed concerns about the mandatory aspect of the U-Pass.

Civil Engineering student, M. Tahlal Irshad, explains: “I need this for the GO Bus. There are so many transit services that students use to get to York, that just a TTC pass would be a waste.”

These concerns have been addressed by the TTC and city councilors. Toronto City Councillor Joe Mihevc clarifies: “It will be up to the university to negotiate discounted passes with other transit companies, since U-Pass is a deal with the TTC specifically.

“But hopefully, U-Pass will enable better access for students to get groceries, run errands, or visit other parts of the city.”

The option of introducing U-Pass alternatives with other transportation companies would be beneficial to York students.

For students travelling from Brampton and York Region, the TTC U-Pass Policy Framework report mentions the possibility of a regional U-Pass. The 2017 TTC report U-Pass Solutions for Toronto Post-Secondary Institutions stated: “There is currently no fare integration between Brampton, YRT, and the TTC.”

Students, who want access to rapid transit, will be required to pay two fares. Therefore, a regional U-Pass is useful to students, particularly at York. A regional U-Pass solution has been explored preliminarily with YRT and Brampton Transit for York.

“The upcoming consultations with post-secondary institutions U-Pass Solutions for Toronto Post-Secondary Institutions 7, and their respective student unions will determine if there is real interest for a regional U-Pass product priced to reflect the value of having unlimited travel on many transit systems.”

The more recent 2018 Framework report after the consultations occured stated: “Through our consultations, concerns were raised about the fairness for students in Toronto who attended York.

“Students living in Toronto and only travelling on the TTC account for 35 to 40 per cent of York students. If a referendum was successful and a regional U-Pass was implemented, York students only taking the TTC would be paying more than their peers at other Toronto post-secondary institutions that have implemented a U-Pass. As a result, TTC staff propose a TTC U-Pass only, which will be available for Toronto post-secondary institutions, including York, which are eligible under the new U-Pass policy framework.”

With an increase in ridership, overcrowding has been a recent issue with TTC users. Mihevc explains: “It’s great if a reduced pass encourages more people to take public transit, especially if it means they are opting not to drive.

“High ridership is a good thing, and should be pushing policy makers at all levels to find more ways to accommodate demand.”