KITCHENER, ON (October 24, 2023) — Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) and Grand River Transit (GRT) are excited to announce Conestoga College students have voted in favour of a GRT universal transit pass (U-Pass) for the Fall 2024 semester.
Of the 9,463 students attending Waterloo Region campuses who voted, an overwhelming 93 per cent made their voices heard and supported the implementation of the U-Pass program at Conestoga College. The U-Pass referendum took place from Oct. 10 to Oct. 16, 2023.
The universal transit pass program provides unlimited rides on Grand River Transit buses and ION trains at an affordable price. Implemented through an ancillary fee on students’ invoices, students will save over $680 annually as compared to the existing GRT Term Pass.
The program will begin Sept. 1, 2024, if ratified by Waterloo Regional Council during the 2024 budget process.
This referendum, supported by GRT and Conestoga College, marks the end of a multi-year effort to secure affordable transit options for students in the Waterloo Region.
“We are proud to be taking impactful first steps towards affordable transit solutions for Conestoga students,” says CSI President Nelson Chukwuma. “Whether students are travelling to campus, jobs, or simply enjoying an outing in the region, a U-Pass will greatly impact students’ lives for the better.”
“Transit is a critical tool for making our region more affordable, sustainable and liveable,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. “With this vote, Conestoga College students have chosen to support an easy-to-use and unlimited transportation option to get around the community.”
If Conestoga’s U-Pass is ratified, post-secondary students at Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University, and University of Waterloo will all have access to the same affordable, equitable and sustainable transportation program.
About Conestoga Students Inc.:
Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) was established in 1973 and is the official student association of Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, representing the voice of all Conestoga students. CSI is governed by a student board of directors and provides Conestoga students with services, events, resources, and advocacy initiatives to improve and support the student experience.
About Grand River Transit:
Grand River Transit provides transit service in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Elmira, Breslau, St. Jacobs and New Hamburg. GRT services include conventional buses, ION light rail trains, an express bus network, community and flexible transit routes, and door-to-door transit service for riders with disabilities using specialized vehicles.
For more information, please contact:
Conestoga Students Inc.
Sarah Evans
Communications Coordinator, Corporate
Sevans1@conestogac.on.ca
Grand River Transit
Pat Morabito
Manager, Marketing, Communications and Customer Service
pmorabito@regionofwaterloo.ca