Students Demand Changes to St. Clair College Bus Pass System

A sharp increase in the cost of student bus passes at St. Clair College has sparked concerns among students, who are now calling for changes to the opt-out policy. The price of the Saints Pass, which enables students to use public transportation, has surged to over $800 from approximately $300 following a contract renewal with Transit Windsor.

Yechun Zhu, a second-year international student, expressed frustration after being unable to opt out of the pass despite her proximity to campus. Living just a seven-minute walk from the nearest bus stop, Zhu can bike to class in less time than it takes to wait for a bus. Despite submitting her opt-out request, she was informed that she did not meet the necessary criteria. According to Zhu, the form indicated that other reasons could be considered, but her application was denied.

“They said, first of all, 40 percent has been reached. So you’re out of luck,” Zhu recounted. “And then they also said you don’t meet either of the two criteria.”

Zhu is not alone in her predicament. Another student, Lulu Bai, also finds herself caught in the same situation and hopes that the college will reconsider its rules.

The Saints Pass program, which is administered by the college’s Student Representative Council (SRC), allows students to opt out of the bus pass if they either live outside Transit Windsor’s service area or have paid for a campus parking pass. A February 2023 referendum confirmed the increased cost, which was proposed by Transit Windsor and subsequently ratified by students.

Pratham Singh Benipal, president of the SRC, acknowledged that the demand to opt out exceeded the established cap of 40 percent this year, necessitating stricter adherence to the policy. “We do understand, and I know it’s frustrating for the students who live close,” he stated. He encouraged students to voice their concerns directly to Transit Windsor, which imposed the criteria for opting out.

The cost of the bus pass is set to increase annually, with a planned rise of either 3.5 percent or the Consumer Price Index measure of inflation, whichever is higher. This means that the price could reach $851 next year and $881 in the final year of the contract.

A City of Windsor spokesperson confirmed the increased cost but clarified that the SRC was responsible for determining both the eligibility for opting out and the cap on the number of students who can do so.

In comparison, the University of Windsor restricts opt-outs to 25 percent for bus passes and does not permit students to opt out based on their proximity to campus.

As students at St. Clair College continue to voice their dissatisfaction, the future of the bus pass program remains uncertain. With ongoing discussions about affordability and transportation access, the SRC may need to revisit the current structure to better accommodate the needs of the student body.