Groundbreaking U-Pass Program Off to a Great Start 

VANCOUVER – Students from Vancouver Community College, Emily Carr University and Douglas College will be bussing into Douglas College’s New Westminster campus today to attend the official launch of the U-Pass BC program along with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Blair Lekstrom.

Students campaigned for years for a U-Pass that would include everyone and end TransLink’s discriminatory policy of charging some students three times more to ride the same bus as students with a U-Pass. The U-Pass BC is different from any other U-Pass program in Canada because now students from all institutions can enjoy the much-needed financial break of a U-Pass while also helping the environment.

“As a fourth year nursing student at VCC and a mother of three my family has to make every penny stretch. Now a days the only thing that isn’t a juggling act in my life is my U-Pass. The U-Pass means I know that I will be able to get to class, the library and everywhere I need to be.” said Charmaine Waters, student at Vancouver Community College.

Speaking at the announcement today will be External Relations Coordinator for the Douglas Students’ Union, Jillian Griffin. “Today’s announcement of Canada’s first standardized and universal U-Pass program is a great example of how important students are to building a transit culture in BC.” said Griffin.

On June 9, 2010 the Province announced Canada’s first standardised U-Pass Program for post-secondary students. The new program gives Metro Vancouver students access to a $30/month U-Pass, saving them over $50 per month and thousands of dollars over the course of their studies.