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Wroe plans swipe card negotiations with transit

Feds President Becky Wroe plans to negotiate with Grand River Transit about a possible swipe card system for transit.

In a report to Students' Council in May she wrote:

4.0 Grand River Transit
Currently, my objective is to reopen the lines of communication concerning a ‘swipe-card’ proposal that is already created. Depending received, a referendum could be held (likely in Winter 2005).

Wroe said that she hasn't communicated with GRT yet and wants input before doing so.

"Before I begin my negotiations with GRT I'd like to hear all corners of UW's concerns and ideas," she said.

"In future weeks I will be speaking to Bud [Walker] concerning the current swipe-card proposal. Although that's what is most ideal for us, this may counteract GRT's future plans, which I have heard from some sources includes a swipe-card system of their own," said Wroe.

GRT had a survey conducted in Winter 2002 and proposed a universal bus pass or U-Pass in Spring 2002. The U-Pass would have required a mandatory fee, but allowed students unlimited use. Negotiations were restricted by Students' Council.

In 2003 UW and WLU proposed a swipe card system where students could pay with their Watcards or One Cards and receive a discount after certain numbers of rides. GRT didn't accept the proposal.



Wroe plans swipe card negotiations with transit | 9 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Just ensure that non riders aren't forced to subsidize riders
Authored by: ac on Friday, June 25 2004 @ 08:09 PM CDT
I've been in Waterloo for 5 years, and taken the GRT maybe twice. I'm not opposed to any type of discount system for students so long as it is not a universal mandatory system. Please avoid this.

[ Parent ]

Pass the U-Pass
Authored by: UWThought on Monday, July 05 2004 @ 09:29 PM CDT
Most students don't see the long term benefit of a proposed U-Pass. Since most people live close to campus and are used to not using the service they feel like they wouldn't use it.

But if a U-Pass is supplied eventually the majority of students will use it for a few reasons I can think of:

For the Students:
1- It would expand the area where students can live in at a reasonable commute. This would further increase the standard of student housing and reduce student ghetto's
2- It would allow for students to have better access to KW services at a cheaper, more convenient price [I wonder how opinions would change if gas prices soared to over $1?]
3- Traditionally buses would change to suit its passenger usage. Therefore better routes would be created to relieve student demand and most likely a bar run will be created similar to other university town set ups.
4- Reduced change of drunk driving Ie. during those afternoon bomber days

Other:
1- It would increase public transit infrastructure and support. This would in turn help the KW businesses and stressed transit budgets
2- Reduce impact on the environment. Less people will drive = cheaper for you, better for the air
3- Reduced traffic congestion and need for additional parking spaces on campus, and allow spaces to be provided to those who actually need it.
4- Promote better relationships between UW and the community
5- Reduced need for Vansafe [or whatever its called]

So many other large universities like Waterloo in similar settings have participated and continue to participate in a U-Pass program. I am personally baffled why UW has yet to establish this program.

I strongly hope that Feds will be able to bring this notion to the table once more.

[ Parent ]

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