Douglas College's students' union is applauding the provincial government’s announcement this week that the U-Pass program will continue for public post-secondary students in Metro Vancouver.
The Douglas Students’ Union published a press release Thursday lauding the move, which extends the low-cost three-zone monthly bus passes for students attending public post-secondary schools.
Currently, students pay $41 per month for unlimited use of Metro Vancouver transit, but once the new agreement kicks in on May 1, the monthly rate will increase to $42.50 per month. In May 2024, that rate will increase again to $46 per month.
The passes are a partnership between TransLink, public post-secondary institutions and student unions, and they’re currently being extended through to April 30, 2025.
“The Douglas Students’ Union is pleased to continue providing the U-Pass BC program benefits to our members,” said Mitchel Gamayo, DSU director of external relations. “This investment improves students’ lives. The U-Pass supports our ability to get around and makes our lives more affordable.”
The U-Pass has been available since 2010, which the DSU said provides students an “affordable and sustainable” mode of transportation throughout all three travel zones in the region.
“The renewal of U-Pass BC will continue to foster a generation of transit users, with fewer people driving, less traffic congestion and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” reads the press release.
The five-year renewal is the longest single extension in the U-Pass’s 10-year history.
“With the U-Pass, students can get from campus to downtown, to see a friend in another municipality and back again, without ever needing access to a car,” said Judy Darcy, MLA for New Westminster, in the DSU news release.
“The program has been a huge success for our students and for our region, and I congratulate everyone involved in seeing it through to this milestone.”
The approval of the five-year extension comes following referenda on the U-Pass within Metro Vancouver student unions between February and November 2019.
The votes, DSU said, sent a “strong message that this is an invaluable service that students depend on.”
