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Anthony Boulos, 21, was frustrated that it took so long for him to get his Opus card. He figured there must be a better way.

Now, thanks to one email to the STM, and lots of persistence, it’s easier for most Concordia students to get their reduced-fare transit passes.

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As of Aug. 17, Concordia students under the age of 26 with valid Quebec addresses can purchase their discounted fare cards on the university’s website. Concordia sends proof of residency, eligibility, a birth date and a photo to the Société de transport de Montréal. The students get their cards in the mail a few days later.

Boulos, an Île Bizard resident, said the old process is antiquated and less secure: students must get a letter from their school, show that letter to an STM employee, who takes a photo and issues the pass. Boulos said the waiting time at the Berri-UQAM station to get a pass is hours long.

So Boulos, an industrial engineering student, decided to fill out a form on the STM’s website suggesting that the system be automated. He got a follow-up email from a director with the STM, who requested a meeting to discuss the project.