U-Pass Program Launches Today

OTTAWA, Sept. 1 /CNW/ - Today, Ottawa students are finally able to use their U-Pass to commute across the city. Earlier this year, students at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University voted overwhelmingly to accept the U-Pass at a price of $145 per semester as a pilot program for the school year.

"After ten years of lobbying, it is great to see thousands of students able to access transit through this affordable U-Pass program," said Dina Skvirsky, Vice-President Student Issues at Carleton University Students' Association, "the average full-time student will now be able to save almost $150 per semester, over a monthly transit pass."

As part of the city's budget package, councillors voted in favour of a year-long pilot program of $145 per semester with a review to follow. Students are working to make this pilot program permanent and will be seeking commitments from all municipal candidates in this fall's election.

"More than 8,000 students have already picked up their U-Pass and response from students has been overwhelmingly positive," continued Skvirsky, "over the last year, students have proven that they are vocal stakeholders within the Ottawa transit system and we will be working to ensure that a permanent U-Pass program is a vote-determining issue in the October municipal election."

For further information:

Dina Skvirsky
Vice-President Student Issues, Carleton University Students' Association
613-520-2600 ext. 1607
[email protected]
613-796-5784