This week, from Feb. 26 to Feb. 28, full-time Memorial University students at St. John’s campus, Marine Institute and the Centre for Nursing Studies are invited to vote on a Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) for Memorial.
“A U-Pass would provide a discounted bus pass and unlimited access to all Metrobus and GoBus routes starting September 2020,” explained Jordan Wright, a member of Memorial’s Parking and Transportation Solutions committee.
“It would offer expanded and enhanced service compared to the existing bus service and is intended to help students travel to campus, home, work, shopping and more.”
The program would also contribute to sustainable transit, reduce emissions and alleviate some of the pressure on limited parking on campus.
What we heard
More than 1800 students contributed feedback during the fall 2018 U-Pass consultation.
“The current proposed program was refined based on the feedback we heard, which includes additional evening and weekend service, improved summer service and shorter wait times between buses,” said Mr. Wright.
The U-Pass program is being considered based on a request from students for improved campus transportation solutions, given the challenges of parking on and commuting to campus.
Similar to many major cities and universities across Canada, a U-Pass program relies on a large number of participants and is offered at a lower price compared to a semester bus pass. The increased level of investment in the U-Pass means a higher level of service to and from the university and other locations of interest to students. To accomplish this, all full-time Memorial students registered at the St. John’s campus, Centre for Nursing Studies and Marine Institute would participate in a U-Pass program, unless they qualify for an opt-out.
How and when to vote
All full-time Memorial University undergraduate and graduate students registered at the St. John’s campus, Centre for Nursing Studies and Marine Institute at the time of voting are eligible to vote from 7 a.m. (NST), Feb. 26, 2019 to 7 p.m. (NST), Feb. 28, 2019.
Eligible students can vote online through my.mun.ca by clicking on the “Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass)” box under the “students” tab. During the voting period, eligible students will see a button stating “Vote Now”. Find out more details on opt-out categories, service improvements and how and when to vote by visiting the U-Pass website here.
