Board of directors creates committee to explore options to help offset transit costs for students.  

Students who travel via transit may soon see some financial relief. 

The Student Association of George Brown College (SAGBC) is looking into potential ways to help students with the high costs of transit. Currently, post-secondary students at schools in TTC coverage areas pay some of the highest transit costs in the province. 

At the September meeting of the board of directors, elected officials voted to create an ad-hoc committee to explore options to help alleviate some of the financial strain felt by students. 

At nearly all colleges and universities across Ontario, student unions provide students with some form of universal bus pass, or “U-Pass.” These mandatory fees are included in a student’s tuition, however, the price they pay can range from $122 for a 12-month period, to just above $400 for a regular school year (Sept. 1 to April 30), depending on where they go to school. 

While implementing a U-Pass at George Brown College (GBC) would take some additional work – including a referendum where all students would vote on whether they would like to see the pass implemented – the SAGBC is exploring all options. 

Adhoc committee to investigate [a] TTC transit initiative for students to help [them]. [We’re] still investigating the scope of it, but to help subsidize the costs of transit for students commuting to school,” said Max Davidson, acting director of communications & internal “As a board we think it’s a really important initiative. Especially with students returning to in-person classes, more students are going to be transporting downtown Toronto to get to their campuses. And we think it’s something that’s really important to look into to help cut down the cost of living for students while they’re going to school at this time.” 

Davidson says they are currently exploring the best avenue to go. Once decided, they will take their findings and idea to the Operations Committee and then the board as a whole. 

Next steps could also include things like surveys with students to ensure the board understand the benefit this could bring. 

“I think we have to do some surveys and discussions with the students and understand like at this point, how many students do take transit into school, how many are driving, how many walk etc., just so that we can understand just kind of what benefit that this could bring to the students.” 

More information will be reported as it becomes available.