What is a universal bus pass?

The Universal Bus Pass is an agreement between the GSA and Fredericton City Transit, offering full-time and part-time members of the GSA unlimited usage of city transit between September 1, 2019 and August 31, 2020 for a fee of $148.00. Beginning from Sept 1, 2017, Part-Time students can opt-in for Universal Bus Pass by paying at the Grad House.

For more details please contact the Executive Director at the Grad House (office@unbgsa.ca).

The cost of Bus Pass for Fall term is $148. For Winter and Summer term is $74.

How much does the U-Pass cost?

Fall Term

$140
  • Full-Time: Added to UNB Student AccountPart-Time: Pay to Manager, Grad House

Winter Term

$70
  • Full-Time: Added to UNB Student Account
    Part-Time: Pay to Manager, Grad House

Summer Term

$70
  • Full-Time: Pay to Manager Grad House
    Part-Time: Pay to Manager, Grad House

The program is universal to share the cost of the program among users. Although not every student will use the U-Pass, the availability of the U-Pass benefits the community as a whole by providing access to affordable public transport.

An appraisal of the program is conducted with the GSA membership in the spring when the contract is up for consideration. We want to make the best decisions possible for our students and we strongly encourage you to voice your satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the program at this time or in the fall through the Service Survey.

Starting September 1, 2019, Fredericton Transit is moving towards an app based Bus Pass. Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/unbgsafall2019 with your details and upload your copy of enrollment from E-Services. Download the HotSpot App from Google Play Store or App store. Create an account and go to Bus Pass section to claim your Bus Pass. Enter your Student ID to claim it. You can also register at www.htsp.ca

All full-time graduate students registered at the Fredericton campus and paying Fredericton GSA fees are included in the U-Pass program, are charged the U-Pass fee, and are eligible to receive their U-Pass. All part-time students can opt-in for the U-Pass. Amount details are given below.

Part-time graduate students and graduate students who are registered at the Saint John campus and pay Saint John GSA fees, are not included in the U-Pass program.

Students who are included in the program can opt-out of the U-Pass if they meet the following criteria:

If they are currently living outside the boundary of the “City of Fredericton” as defined by the city of Fredericton.

To opt-out of the GSA Bus Pass program, register to opt-out at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/unbgsafall2019 with your details and upload your copy of enrollment from E-Services, along with a recent address proof (i.e. power bill, phone bill). showing you live outside the city.

Upon verification after the close of the Opt-Out period, the fees will be removed from your student account in mid-October.

In March 2009, a referendum was held within the GSA membership to determine participation in the U-pass program. The referendum resulted in a majority vote almost 2 to 1 in favour of the contract with Fredericton City Transit.

As mandated by the GSA Council after our first trial year in 2009-2010, a survey was held to collect the opinions and satisfaction of the membership. The survey yielded a positive response to the return of the U-pass in 2010-2011. In January 2011, a second, larger, survey was conducted to assess students opinions and satisfaction in regards to the U-pass.

As the majority of students were in favour of keeping the U-pass the contract was renewed for the 2019-2022 academic year. The contact is up for renewal in the spring of 2022.

A service survey was released in December 2017 to evaluate its use and assess membership opinions and satisfaction regarding the U-Pass and the results of the survey was shared with Fredericton transit, for consideration of needs of Graduate Students as part of the new Fredericton Transit Master Plan

Announcements.

Yesterday, the final report of the President’s Taskforce and its recommendations were presented at the Senate meeting. The GSA took part in the president’s task force and presented the recommendations based on the survey of Graduate Student Funding. The GSA is appreciative that the report has been submitted for implementation and that the recommendations are a great start to fixing the funding situation for Graduate students at UNB….

Graduate Student Funding Taskforce Report

February 4th, 2019 marked the kick off start to our Provincial Lobby week.  Graduate Student Association is working closely with Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) to present the needs of NB students to members of Legislative Assembly in order to spark action. For more information, please check out the the following document:   CFS-NB-LobbyDoc-2019 (1)

GSA-NB Provincial Document

To all Full-time Graduate Students, Please Note: Part-time students are not eligible for coverage and need to take no further action.  If you started in the Fall term, 2018, you need take no further action.  This email is for Full-time students starting in January of 2019. ..

Winter term new students 2019- Full-time only- GSA Health & Dental opt-out link