City waives Laurier students’ mandatory U-Pass fee

BRANTFORD, ON: For over two decades, Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus has helped transform the City’s downtown into one that is more inclusive, creative and vibrant. One of Brantford City Council’s primary objectives is to create a climate for economic growth to attract new businesses. Post-secondary education is vital to achieving that goal so that we have a diversely skilled and qualified labour force.

At their meeting held on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, Brantford City Council approved amending the City’s Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) Agreement with Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) and Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union (WLUSU). 

Initiated in fall 2009, the U-Pass is a successful transit fare program that offers WLU students unlimited access to transit services during the academic year, effectively enabling students to lower their transportation costs while promoting environmental stewardship.

In response to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Brantford, WLU and WLUSU have agreed to an exemption of student U-Pass fees for a period from September 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020. Under the previous agreement, WLU students paid a mandatory yearly fee that allowed unlimited Brantford Transit ridership options. The agreement will be reviewed again prior to January 1, 2021.

To accommodate Laurier students who wish to take advantage of unlimited access to Brantford Transit services for the balance of 2020, students can purchase a special 4-month term pass for 175.00, now available at the Downtown Brantford Transit Terminal at 64 Darling Street.

QUOTES

 “In the spirit of our ongoing partnership with Laurier Brantford and given several uncertainties related to the ongoing pandemic, we felt waving the mandatory fee was an appropriate approach and are pleased that Council supported this solution.”
- Mike Bradley, Director of Fleet and Transit Services

“The WLU Students’ Union is extremely grateful for our partnership with the City of Brantford and Brantford Transit. We worked collaboratively to come up with the best possible solution for Laurier students in Brantford to maintain affordability and access in these unprecedented times.” - Devyn Kelly, WLU Students’ Union President & CEO

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