The U Pass

[stringbeans]

what im trying to say is, love is blind

[Erin]

Originally Posted by stringbeans

you're right! it is unfair to the non-bus rider to have to pay that mandatory fee on top of their car
payments.

but lets look at it this way.

suppose the universities didnt opt into the u-pass program. all the non-bus riders wouldnt have to pay that extra $125 (its actually more like $105) every 4 months. However, for all the non-bus riders, which by the way im assuming are the majority since the opt-in was VOTED on, they'd have to pay around $100 per MONTH.

so the idea of the opt-in was to help "balance out" the costs of all students.

i mean i'd be pissed too if i had to pay that mandatory fee without having a use for the u-pass. but the way i see it, if you're a car owner with a u-pass, you'd be saving so much more money in the end by using the u-pass if you subtract all your gas/parking/maintenance costs for your car.

also, cut and paste from sfu's site

"The U-Pass Program is a student initiative approved by student vote in Simon Fraser Student Society referendums in November 2002, March 2005, and November 2007."

"In the November 2007 U-Pass referendum, students voted 92% in favour of a small fee increase to sustain the U-Pass program until at least September 2011. "

Blah blah blah... I can afford a car, and own a car so I don't need to take the bus. It's irrelevant what it casts me a month to own it, and I'm still not interested in making sure your poor ass can get places. I'm all for the U pass, I think it's a great idea to give students a break! But why do people that don't have a use for it need to pay? Why am I paying for a service that I'm not using?

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by R Wellbelove

Funny thing is, the only way they profit is by making it MANDATORY in tuition costs.

Maybe if Translink provided a better service (I participated in their survey) than maybe more people like me would be happy to take the bus and they wouldnt be relying on a mandatory fees from students.

hey um... it's OPTIONAL

How do I apply for an exemption?

The online exemption request form is available on the Student Service Centre website.

When is the exemption application deadline?

The exemption application deadline is the same as the withdrawal date without W standing for your courses (approximately 2 weeks after the start of your classes). Students who finish their program requirements mid-way through the semester are entitled to full U-Pass privileges for the remainder of the semester and will not receive a partial U-Pass refund.

[Carrie]

I think she goes to capilano.

U-Pass

The U-Pass is funded in part by a mandatory student fee of $128 per term. The U-Pass fee is automatically added to your student account when you are registered in one or more credit classes held at the North Vancouver campus and must be paid at the same time as your fees and tuition.

[dabbler]

ok I checked the exemption requirements and I see what it says there nevermind.

was pretty sure my gf had the option to choose if she wanted the pass or not tho, she graduated just last year. surely they didn't change the opt-out requirements only just now?

[stringbeans]

Originally Posted by Erin

Blah blah blah... I can afford a car, and own a car so I don't need to take the bus. It's irrelevant what it casts me a month to own it, and I'm still not interested in making sure your poor ass can get places. I'm all for the U pass, I think it's a great idea to give students a break! But why do people that don't have a use for it need to pay? Why am I paying for a service that I'm not using?

the reason why everyone has to pay in is to keep the costs low, otherwise it wouldnt be a measly $125 per 4-months for an all zone bus pass. with this in mind, do you still think the upass is a good idea or no?

i guess an analogy to this is paying into your MSP. suppose you pay a yearly premium but are perfectly healthy for that whole year. is it still worth paying into?

i know both of these questions cant be simply answered with a yes or no response, but its just something to think about

[ebbomega]

Originally Posted by Erin

Blah blah blah... I can afford a car, and own a car so I don't need to take the bus. It's irrelevant what it casts me a month to own it, and I'm still not interested in making sure your poor ass can get places. I'm all for the U pass, I think it's a great idea to give students a break! But why do people that don't have a use for it need to pay? Why am I paying for a service that I'm not using?

Why pay for welfare? Why pay for social programs like inSite and medicare if you're not a drug addict or can afford health insurance?

Answer: to help those less fortunate, because when you better the quality of life of the lower classes then you better the quality of life for all.

[Liqwid]

Originally Posted by ebbomega

Why pay for welfare? Why pay for social programs like inSite and medicare if you're not a drug addict or can afford health insurance?

Answer: to help those less fortunate, because when you better the quality of life of the lower classes then you better the quality of life for all.

lol....or my free education if i choose to do so.:love:

[Carrie]

If I had to pay into the UPass, I would try to use it even if I had a car.

bus fare is not cheap anymore. I remember when I paid 75 cents to get on a bus.

[shebavpg]

I want a U-Pass. :(

[Pussy*Kat]

Originally Posted by Carrie

If I had to pay into the UPass, I would try to use it even if I had a car.

bus fare is not cheap anymore. I remember when I paid 75 cents to get on a bus.

I agree.

I dont understand why people are complaing. A three zone bus pass is now 136.00 A MONTH. And students are getting it for 125.00 for 3 months?

Way to have something handed to you on a silver platter.

[NinjaBoy]

The U pass is a great program which gets great feedback by almost everyone in the program.

If there is a problem with it, you should talk to your student council.

Wait, did you vote in the student elections last year?

[Carrie]

I understand that people who don't use it, or need it would be annoyed to have to pay for it.

I also think it's an awesome program to help students pay for transit.

Rhia, just try to use the UPass once a week and you won't feel like you are wasting 125$ per semester.

[Pussy*Kat]

Can the UPass not be calimed on your taxes the same way that any other Transit pass would?

[Erin]

Originally Posted by stringbeans

the reason why everyone has to pay in is to keep the costs low, otherwise it wouldnt be a measly $125 per 4-months for an all zone bus pass. with this in mind, do you still think the upass is a good idea or no?

i guess an analogy to this is paying into your MSP. suppose you pay a yearly premium but are perfectly healthy for that whole year. is it still worth paying into?

i know both of these questions cant be simply answered with a yes or no response, but its just something to think about

If 92% voted for it, then wouldn't that still be a HUGE number of students using the service? I would imagine the fare would still be quite low.

And why is it optional for some schools, but not optional for Cap College students? That doesn't seem right.

[Carrie]

Tax Credit for Public Transit Passes

I think the 125$ is not added to your T2202 so you may claim it as a transit pass

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Carrie

I understand that people who don't use it, or need it would be annoyed to have to pay for it.

I also think it's an awesome program to help students pay for transit.

Rhia, just try to use the UPass once a week and you won't feel like you are wasting 125$ per semester.

I also think it's an awesome program for students that need it, but why are the 8% of people that voted against it because they don't use it made to pay? Why can't they make it an option? $135 isn't to big of a difference to $125/month.

[Carrie]

I agree, it should be an optional fee. If you live walking distance to school or own a car and don't require transit then you should be able to not pay for a service you aren't going to use.

[Pussy*Kat]

Originally Posted by Carrie

Tax Credit for Public Transit Passes

I think the 125$ is not added to your T2202 so you may claim it as a transit pass

Then really noone has a reason to complain. If those who dont use it are that upset about it, take that extra step when getting your taxes done and claim it. You will get some if not all of your money back.

Congrats.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Carrie

I agree, it should be an optional fee. If you live walking distance to school or own a car and don't require transit then you should be able to not pay for a service you aren't going to use.

That's my point.

[stringbeans]

Originally Posted by Erin

If 92% voted for it, then wouldn't that still be a HUGE number of students using the service? I would imagine the fare would still be quite low.

And why is it optional for some schools, but not optional for Cap College students? That doesn't seem right.

good point. i'd imagine it'd have something to do with that percentage not actually representing the number of students. for example, a 92% win doesnt mean that 92% of all students voted yes, only 92% of those who actually participated in the voting.

and i think all schools have it mandatory? maybe im wrong. i know its mandatory at sfu too

[Erin]

Originally Posted by stringbeans

good point. i'd imagine it'd have something to do with that percentage not actually representing the number of students. for example, a 92% win doesnt mean that 92% of all students voted yes, only 92% of those who actually participated in the voting.

and i think all schools have it mandatory? maybe im wrong. i know its mandatory at sfu too

I don't even know:

Originally Posted by dabbler

hey um... it's OPTIONAL

How do I apply for an exemption?

The online exemption request form is available on the Student Service Centre website.

When is the exemption application deadline?

The exemption application deadline is the same as the withdrawal date without W standing for your courses (approximately 2 weeks after the start of your classes). Students who finish their program requirements mid-way through the semester are entitled to full U-Pass privileges for the remainder of the semester and will not receive a partial U-Pass refund.

Originally Posted by Carrie

I think she goes to capilano.

U-Pass

Originally Posted by dabbler

ok I checked the exemption requirements and I see what it says there nevermind.

was pretty sure my gf had the option to choose if she wanted the pass or not tho, she graduated just last year. surely they didn't change the opt-out requirements only just now?

[Erin]

Also, you have a good point with people voting for it, but not using it. :)

[Carrie]

TransLink - South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority

Can I opt-in or out of the U-Pass program?
The program is mandatory for most students – this is how the cost is kept low. However, there are limited exemptions for students if they meet certain criteria – for example they already have a U-Pass from another institution.

[Erin]

^ Yeah, that would bother me. I don't mind helping people out, but what if I can't afford to pay that? What if my expenses won't allow for an extra $125 every 3 or 4 months?