Frequently Asked Questions



Why will the U-Pass no longer be offered to Sheridan students?

In January, 2019, the provincial government introduced a new policy directive called the Student Choice Initiative. This policy affects the ability of colleges and student unions to collect ancillary fees that fund services not deemed essential by the directive. On April 1, we received further operational guidelines from the government, which clarified that transportation initiatives such as the U-Pass are not eligible for inclusion as mandatory ancillary fees, and therefore would rely on a critical mass of students voluntarily opting in to pay the fee to make the program economically feasible.

Will the Shuttle Bus service be continued since the U-Pass is not being offered?

No. Historically, the shuttle bus has been jointly funded by the college and the SSU. The decision was made to discontinue the service as of August 31, 2019, due to budgetary constraints. The U-Pass alternative was developed by the SSU in consultation with municipal transit partners in Halton and Peel regions, and taken to a vote in November, 2018, which saw a 25% voter turnout, with the majority voting in favour of the U-Pass. The recent decision by the provincial government to reduce domestic tuition fees by 10% has exacerbated the financial pressures facing the college.

In addition, the Student Choice Initiative has removed the SSU’s ability to collect fees that would support the shuttle’s continued operation. The college is committed to delivering a high quality educational experience to its students, and our fiscal resources must be directed to ensuring that quality is maintained, while continuing to offer important services including the library, student advisement, accessible learning and co-op, among many others.

When will the Shuttle be discontinued?

The shuttle will be discontinued on August 31, 2019.

Is there going to be a discount for students who take GO/public transit?

There is no additional discount proposed for students who take GO or public transit at this time. We will continue to explore means of providing affordable transit options for our students with municipal transit authorities.

How will students travel between campuses?

Public transit may be accessed on or near each of our three campuses. Students can access these services and use transfers to travel between campuses.

Is there a possibility of Sheridan bringing back the Shuttle Bus service or the U-Pass?

The U-Pass proposal was developed and voted on with the understanding that the Shuttle Bus service was being discontinued due to financial constraints. That decision remains firm. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer the U-Pass due to the provincial government’s Student Choice Initiative, which prevents us from collecting the necessary ancillary fees to support its successful deployment.