Will U vote for the U-Pass?
A referendum is set for November 18th
11/14/11
The U-Pass vote is on the 18th. Photo by Hanss Lujan (The Phoenix)
At a Nov. 18 referendum, students from the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus will be asked to cast their votes regarding a fee increase for their Universal Bus Pass (U-PASS).
“If you are a UBC Okanagan student and you like your U-PASS, be sure to get out and vote Yes on November 18,” says Mike Kittmer, City of Kelowna Active Transportation Coordinator. “Even if you don’t use your U-PASS often, you benefit from the program. Just imagine what it would be like if more students drove instead of taking the bus–you’d see more cars on the road, increased commute times, fewer available parking spots and possibly higher parking fees. Nobody wants that!”
In 2007, UBC Okanagan students voted for a U-PASS program to be instated as part of their student fees, and there hasn’t been an increase in the cost since. Currently, the UBC Okanagan U-PASS costs students $45 per semester ($50 per semester, minus a 10 per cent subsidy from the University) for unlimited transit trips. The proposed fee would see students paying $54 a semester ($60, minus the 10 per cent UBCO subsidy).
The November referendum will determine whether students are willing to pay this new fee as part of the 2012 general transit fare increase; an increase that is necessary to support future transit improvements and cover ongoing operational costs.
“Since the U-PASS was voted in at UBC Okanagan, we have made tremendous advances in the state of our transit system and service,” says Kittmer. “We know that the system is not perfect, but improvements are being made regularly. All Kelowna Regional Transit partners remain committed to improving the system to ensure it will better serve our community and students.” Voting takes place on Friday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Boardroom of the University Centre Building (room UNC 105). Advanced polling occurs on Thursday, Nov. 17, in the same location, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For a full list of transit enhancements and UBC Okanagan U-PASS referendum information, check out the U-PASS page located at kelowna.ca/transportation. To see what the City of Kelowna and Kelowna Regional Transit partners have planned for the future, see the Central Okanagan plan at:
bctransit.com/transitfuture
1 comment
anonymous on Nov 15, 2011 at 10:50pm
I am forced to vote for "yes" after being threatened by the city. Saying no is simply not an option for me. Another meaningless "voting" in my life. No wonder the younger generations don't go to the elections anymore.
I'll tell you something about the voting system in North Korea. They actually have presidential elections and North Koreans have the rights to vote for someone other than Kim Jong-il. The only drawback: the person who did not vote for Kim would be sent to prison for treason (punishable by death).
Add a comment
Comments published on this website are the opinion of the commenter and not the Phoenix Newspaper. The Phoenix reserves the right to withdraw submissions from publication for any reason. Any reason could be material deemed to be sexist, racist, homophobic, or of poor taste or quality.