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U-Vote: Are you in Favour of a Universal Transit Pass?

Transit expenses are costly for students, so CSI is working with Guelph Transit and Conestoga College to explore a universal transit pass, better known as U-Pass. A U-Pass allows active registered full-time students unlimited travel on Guelph Transit at a reduced term cost that is added to your tuition invoice. 

 

We’re hosting a referendum (a vote) to give Conestoga students at Guelph campuses an opportunity to vote if they, as a collective student body, want a U-Pass program beginning September 1, 2025.

 

Voting will be open from October 28 – November 1 through an email you will receive to your college inbox. Join us on Tuesday, October 15 from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm for a Town Hall in the Guelph Campus cafeteria or The Virtual Venue to discuss all things related to the U-Pass and referendum.


 

Keep reading to learn more about Guelph Transit, the U-Pass, and the referendum so you can make an informed vote. Have a question that isn’t answered below? Reach out to CSI’s Advocacy team at csiadvocacy@conestogac.on.ca! 

 

Learn More About Guelph Transit 

What is Guelph Transit?
Guelph Transit is the public transit system servicing the City of Guelph.  

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Learn More About About U-Pass

  • What is a U-Pass?

    The U-Pass is a bus pass included in registered full-time students’ tuition fees as an ancillary fee that provides students with unlimited trips on Guelph Transit buses using your ONE Card, during the term. For registered Mobility Services users, the U-Pass allows access to Mobility Services. 

  • What students would be affected by a U-Pass program?

    All students active and registered as full-time, in-person, and enrolled in an academic program available at Conestoga campuses/sites in Guelph would be automatically included in the program if the referendum is successful. This will exclude Online, Distance Education, and Apprenticeship students from being automatically included. Co-op students would not be automatically billed and included during their co-op term.

  • How do you use a U-Pass?

    Your Conestoga ONE Card would act as your U-Pass and can be used on any Guelph Transit bus. When boarding a bus, tap your ONE Card on the farebox card reader.

  • When would a U-Pass be available if the vote is in favour?

    It is anticipated that the U-Pass program would begin September 1, 2025, pending a successful referendum and approval from the City of Guelph.

  • What is the cost?

    Effective September 1, 2025, the U-Pass Base Fee would be assessed at $162.00 per term, and adjusted annually in subsequent years by no more than 2%. The fee would be automatically charged during each term a student remains enrolled and eligible for a U-Pass under the terms of the program. Additionally, up to a 2% program administration fee could be applied to the U-Pass fee by CSI and Conestoga College. CSI and Conestoga do not intend to charge an administration fee as of September 1, 2025. This is the same U-Pass base price that the University of Guelph will have in September 2025.

  • How much will a U-Pass save a student who rides Guelph Transit?

    One month of rides to the monthly fare cap limit of 32 rides at the post-secondary fare price costs approximately $288.00 per term ($72.00/month X 4 months) for unlimited rides (subject to change). With the proposed U-Pass, students would pay a total of $162.00 per term, providing a savings of approximately $126.00 per term for transit riders.

  • Can a student opt-out if the U-Pass is approved?

    The fee is automatically included for all eligible students. An eligible student is a student registered as full-time, in-person, and enrolled in an academic program available at Conestoga campuses/sites in Guelph. Exceptions will be limited and only provided on a case-by-case basis.

  • Can a student opt-in during their off-term?

    Yes, a student on an off-term that demonstrates an intention to return to campus as a full-time eligible student will be able to opt-in at the reduced U-Pass price of $162 for the off-term.

  • Can a non-eligible student opt-in to the U-Pass if it is approved?

    Students who are not automatically included in the U-Pass will be able to submit a request to opt-in to the U-Pass and may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

  • Is the U-Pass temporary or permanent?

    To provide a stable long-term program, Conestoga College, CSI, and Guelph Transit have the mutual option to renew the agreements when they expire without referenda, if they choose to do so. The agreement can be renewed if the terms of the agreement remain the same (e.g., annual fee increase no more than 2%), or are agreed to by all parties, and all parties continue to support the U-Pass program through an annual review after the initial term of the agreement expires.

  • If I drive to school and pay for parking, will I have to pay for the U-Pass?

    Yes. All eligible students will be charged the U-Pass fee regardless of whether they drive and pay for a parking pass or not.

  • What is the price difference between a Conestoga College term parking pass and the proposed Guelph Transit U-Pass? 

    The proposed Guelph Transit U-Pass price for Fall 2025 is $162 per term. The current price of a Conestoga College parking pass in Fall 2024 is $192 per term. If parking pass prices do not increase for Fall 2025, you could save $30 per term by using the Guelph Transit U-Pass.

  • Does a U-Pass provide unlimited access to GO Transit?

    No. GO Transit is not included in the U-Pass. Full-time students are eligible to receive 40%* off the standard fare (single adult ticket). Visit https://www.gotransit.com/en/student-savings/post-secondary-discount and follow the steps to register for a GO Student ID.

 

Learn More About the Referendum and Voting

  • How can I learn more about the referendum?

    How can I learn more about the Referenum question - can we update the line to say: Join us on Tuesday, October 15 from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm for a Town Hall to discuss all things related to the U-Pass and referendum. You can join us in-person at the Guelph Campus cafeteria or virtually in The Virtual Venue.

  • Who is eligible to vote?

    All students registered as full-time, in-person, and enrolled in an academic program available at Conestoga campuses/sites in Guelph. For clarity, full-time Distance Education/Online and Apprenticeship Students are not eligible to vote as they are not automatically eligible to participate in the U-Pass program.

  • Am I eligible to vote?

    Students eligible to vote are required to be registered full-time, in-person, and with Guelph as their home campus. This includes the Riverside Glen campus. Unsure what of your Home Campus. To determine your home campus:  Log into your Student Portal Click on My Courses Click on the View My Enrolment form Once the form loads it will tell you the current term (if you are an active student), your program, and home campus Students eligible to vote must be active full-time students during the Fall 2024 term.

  • How do I vote?

    A voting link will be sent to eligible student’s Conestoga email address on Monday, October 28. Students will click the voting link in the email to cast their vote. Voting will be open from Monday, October 28 – Friday, November 1.

  • If I vote “YES”, what will happen?

    You will be able to use your ONE Card for unlimited rides on Guelph Transit services. Conestoga College and CSI will enter into a new U-Pass agreement with Guelph Transit.  Conestoga College and CSI can choose to renew the agreement with Guelph Transit when it expires if the terms of the agreement and annual increase rate remain the same or lower. Students who drive to campus and purchase a parking pass would also receive a U-Pass they could use as an alternate form of transportation.

  • If I vote “NO”, what will happen?

    Conestoga College and CSI’s participation in the U-Pass Program will not occur. If you use Guelph Transit, you will need to pay per ride at the post-secondary student fare rate of $2.25 per ride and pay approximately $288.00 per term for unlimited rides (subject to change), a total of $126.00 more than the proposed U-Pass price.

 

Learn More About Transit Support for Other Conestoga Campuses 

Does this apply to Brantford and/or Region of Waterloo students/campuses?

If you are a Brantford Conestoga College student, you have access to a U-Pass included in your tuition during the Fall and Winter terms that provides you with unlimited access to Brantford Transit.

Learn More

If you are a student at a campus in the Region of Waterloo, you have access to a U-Pass included in your tuition that provides you with unlimited access to Grand River Transit.

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