Aug 20: TransLink's U-Pass program

Vancouver, August 20, 2003 - TransLink announced today that Vancity Credit Union is the exclusive sponsor of its U-Pass program. The universal student transit pass, or U-Pass, will allow Simon Fraser University and University of British Columbia students unlimited transit access throughout the school term/year at a reduced cost. TransLink is piloting the program in partnership with SFU, UBC and their respective student societies.

Vancity's long-standing commitment to green transportation and environmental sustainability, as well as their strong focus on supporting students, makes them an ideal U-Pass sponsor.

"Our goal is to work with communities to slow climate change and make our air cleaner. By offering students affordable access to public transit, we hope to encourage choices that will last a lifetime and help improve the environmental health of this region for years to come," said Vancity Chair Bruce Ralston.

TransLink Chair Doug McCallum added, "Vancity has earned a great reputation for its ongoing and socially responsible support for the community. Their involvement in the U-Pass program is helping TransLink and the universities provide students with affordable transportation, which is important in and of itself. But we're also now able to offer these young people a safe travel alternative to and from entertainment and special events, and at the same time promote our broader goals for the future of the region."

Ron Heath, SFU's Dean of Students agreed. "Our goal is that U-Pass will help encourage a transit using lifestyle among students that will continue after they graduate," he said. Transit ridership is strong at Simon Fraser University where parking is at a premium. The university anticipates that U-Pass will positively impact their environmental concerns. SFU is pleased to partner with the Simon Fraser Student Society and TransLink to bring the U-Pass program to our student community. The University is excited about the substantial environmental and economic benefits that can be realized by providing affordable, unlimited access to transit services to our students," said Heath.

Students at UBC voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the U-Pass program and, according to President Martha Piper, are looking forward to the many benefits that U-Pass will generate at their university. "Encouraging public transit use is a key strategy for the exciting University Town we're creating at UBC, and so the university is very proud of the leadership our students have shown in adopting U-Pass," Piper said.

U-Pass will be issued each semester at SFU and is only valid for that semester. SFU will start issuing U-Passes in mid-August for the fall semester.

At UBC, U-Passes will be issued at the beginning of each academic year and will be valid until April 30. For the 2003/2004 academic year only, UBC students will be entitled to show their new UBC student card in lieu of a U-Pass for the month of September until UBC has issued U-Passes to their students. UBC students will begin using their U-Pass commencing October 1.

Adopted across North America, but the first of its kind in the Lower Mainland, the U-Pass program is expected to generate more off-campus transit trips by students for work, shopping, entertainment and other purposes. For more information visit www.TransLink.bc.ca or contact TransLink Customer Service at (604) 953-3333.

Vancity is Canada's largest credit union, with $8.2 billion in assets, 292,000 members, and 40 branches throughout Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Victoria. Vancity owns Citizens Bank of Canada, serving members across the country by telephone, ATM, and the Internet. Both Vancity and Citizens Bank are guided by a commitment to corporate social responsibility, and to improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work.

TransLink plans, finances, implements and champions an integrated transportation system that moves people and goods safely and efficiently, supporting Greater Vancouver's regional growth strategy, air quality objectives and economic development.