Eight Montreal student associations ask candidates to state their positions on universal student transit fares

MONTREAL, Oct. 23, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Eight student associations representing over 100,000 students at the four universities in Montreal are asking candidates to state their positions on universal student fares for mass transit. Less than two weeks before the municipal elections, the ADEESE, AEENAP, AeESG, AECSP, AEP, CSU, FAÉCUM and PGSS have joined forces to ask mayoral candidates for a clear commitment to student fares for all full-time Montreal students.

The associations also want candidates to abolish the age limit for reduced STM fares set at 25. They point out that implementing the change would promote greater use of mass transit and would put an end to a practice that arbitrarily doubles the cost of public transit for students aged 26 and over, when their status has not changed.

In addition, the eight associations are calling for clarification from the candidates for Mayor regarding the issue of mass transit fares for students and seniors. Responding to comments in the media, the associations want candidates to agree not to abolish the reduced rates for Montreal students and seniors. The associations feel that the move would only serve to weaken Montreal populations that are already disadvantaged.

After holding numerous debates, lunchtime talks and information sessions, followed up with press releases, the student associations are now working to mobilize their members in advance of the November 3^rd municipal elections. A number of initiatives are in the planning, including a mass email campaign reminding students that they can vote at advance polls on October 27^th from noon to 8:00 p.m. They can also go to the election offices of their borough to vote in advance on October 25^th, 28^th and 29^th from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and October 30^th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The eight associations represent over 100,000 students attending Montreal's four universities. They are: the Association des étudiantes et des étudiants de la faculté des sciences de l'Éducation de l'UQAM (ADEESE), the Association des étudiants de l'École nationale d'Administration publique (AEENAP), the Association des étudiant(e)s de l'école des sciences de la gestion (AeESG), the Association des étudiants des cycles supérieurs de Polytechnique (AECSP), the Association des Étudiants de Polytechnique (AEP), the Concordia Student Union (CSU), the Fédération des associations étudiantes du campus de l'Université de Montréal (FAÉCUM) and McGill's Post-Graduate Students' Society (PGSS).

SOURCE: Fédération des associations étudiantes du campus de l'Université de Montréal

Alexandre Ducharme

Press Agent, FAÉCUM

514-497-2602

ADEESE: 514-987-3527, AEENAP: 514-849-3811, AeESG: 514-987-4611, AECSP: 514-340-4905, AEP: 514-340-4747, CSU: 514-848-7474, PGSS: 514-398-3756.