| Transit Discussions Continue - The pre-election update |
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The Central Student Association and the University of Guelph administration are in active discussions with Guelph Transit about fiscal and structural changes to the Universal Bus Pass, with both sides having come to the table twice already since the start of the new year. As many of you know, starting February 1st Guelph Transit will increase cash fares by 25 cents and bus pass prices by five per cent. The Guelph Mercury writes that "cost increases and small changes to the universal bus pass are coming to Guelph Transit next month." The city is faced with a budget shortfall this year and is looking to generate an additional $400,000 to $470,000 in revenue from the universal bus pass. Mike Anders, the general manager of community connectivity and transit says these numbers are a target for Guelph but the number can be revisited and he insists they do not intend to put forward a price that would ensure the failure of the universal bus pass. Anders also discussed the current structure of the pass and asserts in his interview with the Guelph Mercury that its "core elements will be exactly the same." All parties involved are to meet again next week where the CSA will "return ... with some of [their] thoughts" says Galen Fick, the Local Affairs Commissioner, in regards to preliminary numbers that Guelph Transit presented during a previous meeting. As your Local Affairs Commissioner, Fick has spoken to many students about this issue and feels that students are willing to pay their fair share and feels it is a reasonable request as long as the numbers presented are accompanied by cases justifying the changes or increases they imply. Please contact Galen Fick at
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if you have any questions or concerns and check the CSA website for more updates. As elections period approaches in early March there will be more information about the transit referendum circulating on campus through the CSA's new elections section on its website, and through poster and banner campaigns. |