As Predicted – Problems Threatens The U-Pass Program

As predicted some time ago, there are serious problems with the U-Pass program. This news item from the Vancouver Sun is but only a tip of the iceberg. The real problem with the U-Pass is not reselling of the pass, etc. rather U-Pass holders are using it much more than anticipated, causing financial havoc to TransLink.

The problem is that too many U-Pass holders are using it too much, with a major problem that the rush hour buses are full of U-Pass holding students, forcing full fare customers to reconsider using the bus or metro and find other transportation options.

Zwei has long predicted that major problems would arise from the U-Pass program and they have come to pass and Translink blaming it on lost, stolen or resold passes is a mere smokescreen to hide the truth, the massive U-Pass program may be filling the buses, but it is bankrupting the transit system.

The U-Pass is as close as a free lunch one can get and as everyone knows, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Translink should come clean why the U-pass is such a problem and not blame it on stolen passes or other such nonsense.

Post script:

This post was written on Thursday morning, by Thursday afternoon, TransLink's spin doctors were hard at it claiming that TransLink doesn't want to get rid of the U-Pass and it was over exaggeration on the part of the reporter. Zwei's contacts tell a different story, desperate Liberal politicians forced Translink into make an about face to keep the political hot potato.

TransLink threatens to cancel U-Pass

By Kelly Sinoski, Vancouver Sun – May 26, 2011

http://www.vancouversun.com/TransLink+threatens+cancel+Pass/4840844/story.html

METRO VANCOUVER – TransLink is losing as much as $15 million a year to lost, stolen and resold U-Passes, prompting officials to threaten to cancel the student program if the problem persists.

In a bid to eliminate the online resale of the transit passes, TransLink has asked Craigslist to help crack down on those posting U-Pass resale ads, but has yet to receive any cooperation from the classifieds website.

TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said the Transit Police sent a letter to Craigslist two weeks ago asking for help in either not allowing U-Pass resale ads or allowing TransLink to flag them so they can be removed from the site.

Craigslist hasn’t yet responded, Hardie said, and as of Wednesday there were 29 transit passes for sale or wanted on the website — up from just two a few weeks ago.

“We’re doing our best but we could use more help from the schools, the student associations and Craigslist,” Hardie said.

About 80,000 U-Passes were provided to students this year at the University of B.C., Emily Carr University, Simon Fraser University, Capilano University, Langara College and Vancouver Community College at a discounted rate of about $30 per month.

The passes, which are non-transferable, can be used throughout the region on buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus. Regular transit users pay $151 for a similar multi-zone monthly pass.

With the U-Pass program set to expand this fall to Douglas College, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and BCIT, the potential loss could rise to $25 million, Hardie estimates.

And the rising losses, he warned, could put the program in jeopardy because if it’s not sustainable, TransLink will consider shutting it down.

TransLink estimates it loses between $7.8 million and $15 million every year from lost, misplaced, stolen or resold U-Passes. In an average year, about 11 per cent of U-Passes are lost, either by students or in the mail, and are replaced. If those passes were used for three-zone travel, the value equates to $9 million a year.

At the same time, about five per cent of students who register for school and receive a U-Pass drop out and do not return the passes, which are potentially worth a total of about $6 million. Another $2.4 million is lost as two per cent of U-Passes sent to schools for distribution are unaccounted for, Hardie said.

The passes are supposed to be used in conjunction with student cards but this isn’t always done.

Transit Police Staff Sgt. Ken Schinkel said those caught with a legitimate card belonging to someone else will be charged $173 for improper use of a fare as well as another $173 for not having a fare.

“It’s not uncommon [for fines to be laid] and it’s not just with a U-Pass,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a legitimate U-Pass that a student doesn’t require any more so they try to make a little money off it or some manufacture them on a computer.”

Those caught could also be charged with fraud although no one has been charged lately with the offence, but investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, TransLink is setting up an advisory group with the universities and student associations to monitor U-Passes. A meeting is scheduled next week to also discuss the new Compass Card, a universal electronic fare card that will replace all the transit passes and will allow TransLink to automatically shut down a U-Pass it suspects is being misused.

Gordon Price, director of the City Program at SFU, said TransLink will always likely see some fare cheating on the system. But he noted students themselves have a stake in maintaining the integrity of the U-Pass because they’re getting a good deal.

Hardie said TransLink will also continue to pressure Craigslist for help.

Craigslist didn’t respond Wednesday to an emailed interview request from The Vancouver Sun.