News Details

To all graduate students:

The agreement between Grand River Transit (GRT) and Wilfrid Laurier University is only applicable to the undergraduates. It is an agreement between WLU Student Union (WLUSU) and GRT. Therefore graduate students are forbidden from using their OneCards as a pass to ride on any GRT vehicle. The GSA has made initial attempts to work out an agreement similar to that of the undergraduates however the terms of the agreement posed by GRT were deemed unfavorable for graduate students. The terms required graduate students to pay $40 a term without any possibility to opt out (exceptions were made only for students who have MobilityPlus). The GSA felt that it was not in the best interest of the entire graduate student population to require every grad student to pay for service that only a very small percentage of students would utilize.

However we do have options. The most immediate solution for students who use mass transit would be to purchase a University Pass Package from GRT that cost $148 and is valid for one term (3 months) and is available in the C-Spot. For a long term solution to the transit issue graduate students need to show overwhelming support for an agreement similar to that of WLUSU’s. Currently the GSA does not have any estimate of how many grad students utilize the services of GRT. If there is a majority of graduate students riding GRT buses or the majority of grad students feel that the cost of a mandatory fee of $40 a term is an acceptable price for the freedom to ride mass transit, the GSA will negotiate with GRT for an agreement similar WLUSU. A good indication of support for negotiating with GRT would be a petition drive. If students are interested in organizing a petition drive please contact me so we can discuss the procedures.

As further developments occur the will be posted on this site.

Sincerely,

Culum Canally

President, WLUGSA