U-Pass Referendum 2022 Facts

The U-Pass is a student-led initiative, and we need direction from students again. The U-Pass has not been offered since the pandemic-related closure of campus and a new fee is required to be approved by UWinnipeg students in order to reinstate the program effective September 2022. We are holding a referendum during the 2022 General Elections so that UWinnipeg students can vote on whether they would like to reinstate the U-Pass program.

Referendum Question

  • Do you support the UWSA reinstating the U-Pass once the majority of University of Winnipeg courses are offered in-person, providing unlimited ongoing access to Winnipeg Transit for all full-time students, for a fee of $212.00 per term (adjusted annually to maintain a 50% discount from the Full Adult Transit Fare)?

The options are:

  • Yes, I am in favour of reinstating the U-Pass.
  • No, I vote to end the U-Pass.

What does a ‘Yes’ vote mean?

  • A ‘Yes’ vote means that the UWSA will reinstate the U-Pass to students at the rate of $212 per term (adjusted annually to maintain a 50% discount from the Full Adult Transit Fare) once the majority of 2022/23 UofW courses are offered in-person. This means that you will have unlimited access to Winnipeg Public Transit.

What does a ‘No’ vote mean?

  • A ‘No’ vote would lead to the end of the U-Pass program. The alternative would be to purchase a Post-Secondary Semester Bus Pass that costs (presently) $288/term or another Post-Secondary bus fare product.

How do I Vote?

  • You can vote in the UWSA General Elections on March 7, 8, and 9. On Monday, March 7 at 9 AM, an email will be sent to your UWinnipeg Email about your voting information.

What happens to the U-Pass if the majority of University of Winnipeg courses are not offered in-person to students for the 2022/23 Academic School year due to the pandemic?

  • The UWSA will have the option to temporarily suspend the U-Pass Program commencing at the beginning of the next full Fall Term or Winter Term that is to start. As a result, the program would be active and students at the UWinnipeg would not be required to pay U-Pass fees , and students will not have access to the U-Pass. Students will still be able to purchase the Post-Secondary Semester Bus Pass or other Post-Secondary bus fare products at Winnipeg Transit retail locations.
  • The U-Pass would automatically start again, for the following term, if the majority of University of Winnipeg courses are offered in-person to students.

U-Pass Information

The U-Pass is a universal bus pass program where all full-time UWinnipeg students pay a fee at the beginning of each term and receive an unlimited access bus pass for the Fall and/or Winter Term (September – December / January – April) at a subsidized rate. The U-Pass has not been offered since the pandemic related closure of campus and a new fee is required to be approved by UWinnipeg students in order to reinstate the program effective September 2022.

Usage + Who receives it

  • In Fall 2019, approximately 6000 U-Passes were activated at UWinnipeg According to Winnipeg Transit’s review in 2017 and 2018. Approx. 90% of students used a U-Pass, with 53% using it on a daily basis or more.
  • If reinstated, all full-time UofW students (9 credit hours or more in one term) are enrolled in the U-Pass program. In addition, users and students residing outside city limits have the option to Opt-Out of the U-Pass.

Quick History of U-Pass Fees:

  • The U-Pass launched at $130 per term for the 2016/2017 Fall/Winter terms.
  • The U-Pass fee for Fall 2019, Winter 2020, the last term it was active, was $136.25 per term.
  • The last approved U-Pass fee for Fall, 2020 was $160.75 per term.
  • The U-Pass fee for Fall, 2022 is $212 per term.

Cost

  • 2022/23 U-Pass fees (presently a 26% discount from the Post-Secondary Semester Pass and 50% discount from the Full Adult Bus Fare).
    • $212 per term
    • $424 from September – April

The cost of the U-Pass is will be adjusted annually to maintain a 50% discount from the Full Adult Transit Fare. The rate of discount from a Post-Secondary Semester Pass (presently 26%) could fluctuate as annual rate changes typically occur, although we believe this level of discount should be generally stable.

Student Initiative

  • This U-Pass is a student-led initiative spearheaded by students at the UWSA in 2014, mirroring U-Pass programs practiced across Canada. UWinnipeg students voted and passed in a referendum on October 29, 2014, with a majority vote of 81.7% in favour of establishing a U-Pass.

 You can download a PDF of the facts here: U-Pass Referendum 2022 Facts

Comments?

University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg