ISHMAEL N. DARO
News Writer

Although the U-Pass was not set to be activated until Sept. 1, the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union moved up the date to Aug. 25 following student complaints.

For the last two years, when the U-Pass consisted of a sticker, students were able to start taking advantage of the student rates earlier in the summer. However, the latest version of the U-Pass includes microchip technology that allows it to be scheduled to activate on a specific date. That date of Sept. 1 proved difficult for some students, particularly those in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine whose classes start in August.

Although Saskatoon Transit accommodated the date change without complaint this year, the USSU agreement with the city is set for Sept. 1 to April 30 each year. Renegotiating the dates would change the terms of the U-Pass as agreed to by U of S students in 2007, and set off a new referendum about the bus pass.

USSU President Chris Stoicheff and VP-external Blair Shumlich are tasked with negotiating with Saskatoon Transit about any changes to the U-Pass.

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image: Pete Yee