No, they should not be refundable. If they were refundable, we would not receive this service, and GRT service would be severely negatively impacted. Go kill yourself for the good of the species you capitalist asshole.
If it was refundable, it would be close to double the price.
The reason it works is because it can be positioned as guaranteed, predictable income for the GRT (like a special transit tax on students, who don't normally pay regional taxes otherwise), which allows Feds and WLUSU together to drive the price down.
If it was refundable, they'd have to increase the price. Conestoga College students pay about $250 for their bus pass compared to our $77. Nobody wants that.
I'm normally pretty conservative when it comes to my thoughts on fees/taxes, but there are certain situations where collective subsidies (i.e. taxes) for certain specific goods/services make a lot of sense. I think transit is one of those situations.
@1e, I don't have a car but I would definitely be down to pay another $77 to have ANY free parking on campus. Parking is actually such a BS scam at this school. Certain varsity coaches don't even get parking passes because its a separate entity that handles all that and they don't give two shits.
What about people who don't have a car AND don't use GRT (such as students living in rez or very close to campus), why do they have to pay for others ?
I've been driving for the past year now, but bussed to school before that. I'm more than happy to keep paying so that my fellow students have this perk. I truly don't see what on earth all the fuss is about.
@1j It's pretty sad if you've boxed yourself up on campus/close to campus. If you're not using the bus, you should be. There are plenty of things to do around town and you aren't really taking advantage of your university experience if you aren't exploring the city you're in or doing fun things off-campus with friends. Have you never went to the movie theatres? Have you ever eaten anywhere other than V1/REV or University Plaza? Have you ever bought groceries from anywhere other than Farrah's or that Pi grocery store? Get out there, person! Don't try to kill other people's adventures or social lives because you haven't let yourself have one.
1j, because it's basically a 'everyone buys in or nobody does' scenario. Either we all pay $77 per term, or we don't and those who want to ride the bus pay $80/mo (so about $320/term) instead.
1i, sadly parking is a very different situation. The cost of parking pass is meant to limit the number of people who drive to campus, and avoid overcrowding in the parking lots. If the campus wanted to build one "free lot for students/faculty/staff," they probably could though, but it's a question of where.
I agree, it has been fantastic! I started at UW just as it was introduced. Their service has gotten better to the University and has made the city much more accessible for students. (It's great even in the summer when I've been working, but shush, don't tell anyone)
They should be refundable - why do I have to subsidize all the other students who don't have a car?
ReplyDeleteWelcome to socialism.
DeleteWhy should everyone else be penalized because you're better off?
DeleteI don't know what socialism means but it sounds sexy and a little scary. tell me more
DeleteNo, they should not be refundable. If they were refundable, we would not receive this service, and GRT service would be severely negatively impacted. Go kill yourself for the good of the species you capitalist asshole.
DeleteMaybe everyones tuition should be increased to provide free on campus parking?
DeleteOr if you buy a parking pass, then you get a refund for the GRT fee.
DeleteIf it was refundable, it would be close to double the price.
DeleteThe reason it works is because it can be positioned as guaranteed, predictable income for the GRT (like a special transit tax on students, who don't normally pay regional taxes otherwise), which allows Feds and WLUSU together to drive the price down.
If it was refundable, they'd have to increase the price. Conestoga College students pay about $250 for their bus pass compared to our $77. Nobody wants that.
I'm normally pretty conservative when it comes to my thoughts on fees/taxes, but there are certain situations where collective subsidies (i.e. taxes) for certain specific goods/services make a lot of sense. I think transit is one of those situations.
You're all a bunch of godless liberals, It's making me sick.
Delete@1e, I don't have a car but I would definitely be down to pay another $77 to have ANY free parking on campus. Parking is actually such a BS scam at this school. Certain varsity coaches don't even get parking passes because its a separate entity that handles all that and they don't give two shits.
DeleteWhat about people who don't have a car AND don't use GRT (such as students living in rez or very close to campus), why do they have to pay for others ?
DeleteI've been driving for the past year now, but bussed to school before that. I'm more than happy to keep paying so that my fellow students have this perk. I truly don't see what on earth all the fuss is about.
Delete@1j It's pretty sad if you've boxed yourself up on campus/close to campus. If you're not using the bus, you should be. There are plenty of things to do around town and you aren't really taking advantage of your university experience if you aren't exploring the city you're in or doing fun things off-campus with friends. Have you never went to the movie theatres? Have you ever eaten anywhere other than V1/REV or University Plaza? Have you ever bought groceries from anywhere other than Farrah's or that Pi grocery store? Get out there, person! Don't try to kill other people's adventures or social lives because you haven't let yourself have one.
Delete1j, because it's basically a 'everyone buys in or nobody does' scenario. Either we all pay $77 per term, or we don't and those who want to ride the bus pay $80/mo (so about $320/term) instead.
Delete1i, sadly parking is a very different situation. The cost of parking pass is meant to limit the number of people who drive to campus, and avoid overcrowding in the parking lots. If the campus wanted to build one "free lot for students/faculty/staff," they probably could though, but it's a question of where.
I agree, it has been fantastic! I started at UW just as it was introduced. Their service has gotten better to the University and has made the city much more accessible for students.
ReplyDelete(It's great even in the summer when I've been working, but shush, don't tell anyone)
The service has also gotten FAR better for non students. I say this as a lifelong KW citizen.
Delete#fedsdoesthat
ReplyDeleteU poor Ting
ReplyDelete