Bus Pass Update: What Happened to the Bus Pass?

Since 1995, the Central Student Association (CSA) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA) have negotiated with the City of Guelph for a bus pass that offers unlimited rides on Guelph Transit at a significantly lower rate than a traditional monthly bus pass. 

The current Universal Bus Pass (U-pass) contract will expire on April 30, 2021, as per the referendum question asked in 2016, and can’t be reinstated until a referendum on the U-pass happens. 

As part of the process and before a referendum can be held, contract negotiations must take place between the City of Guelph/Guelph Transit, CSA, and GSA. However, with uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic this hasn’t happened yet. Therefore, asking a referendum question before April 30 for a U-pass contract for Fall 2021 would be unfair to students. As well, up until a few days ago, students wouldn’t have known about the University’s plans for students to return to campus this Fall for the start of the 2021/2022 school year. 

Both the CSA and GSA are looking forward to beginning negotiations with the City of Guelph/Guelph Transit, as we know the U-pass is integral to student life and getting around Guelph. As was done for the fall and winter semesters during the COVID-19 pandemic, Guelph Transit will once again offer a post-secondary semester pass to students. This discounted pass will be valid from May 1 to August 31, 2021. We’ll provide more information in the coming weeks!

→ Questions or concerns? Please reach out to your CSA VP External at csavpexternal@uoguelph.ca!