Victoria Silman | News Editor
Featured Image: The university has turned down an offer to reinstate GO bus services after Metrolinx asked them to reimburse students $800,000. | Fatema Ali
Metrolinx offered to reinstate GO transit service to the university, but with the condition that the university reimburse students who have had to pay the additional fare of $1.50 for taking the TTC from the Highway 407 stop, the cost of which is estimated to be approximately $800,000.
Information has come to light that on January 25, Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster, sent a letter to President and Vice Chancellor Rhonda Lenton, offering the change.
Verster confirmed the reinstatement of service would come into effect in April. The $800,000 reimbursement would cover the additional fares students would be paying to transfer from GO to TTC between January until that time.
Additionally, Verster stated this service would be less frequent than the previous service, and would be based “according to demand.”
Of the other conditions listed in the letter, the Harry W. Arthur Commons bus loop was to be made available for GO Transit by April, and must remain that way for the following three years.
Lenton was asked to respond within five days—by January 30—in order for the deal to be approved. On January 30, she responded, stating the university could confirm the bus loop would be made available, however, York would be unable to cover the $800,000 reimbursement to students.
“As a largely student-funded institution, York has informed Metrolinx that we cannot allocate resources intended for student learning and research to subsidize the cost of regional transportation services,” Yanni Dagonas, deputy spokesperson for York, says.
“Metrolinx is accountable for its operating decisions and related costs. We understand and respect that they have made a decision based on a variety of factors,” he adds.
Third-year biomedical student, and advocate for transit service reinstatement, Celia Lewin, weighs in on the matter, pointing out that the reimbursement is hardly the biggest concern.
“I don’t understand why the condition was included. I don’t believe students are asking for more than the restoration of bus service on campus,” she says.
In a recent statement, Sébastien Lalonde, YFS VP Campaigns & Advocacy, says the condition by Metrolinx was “made in bad faith,” and “this is money that the students and government have put toward post-secondary education. It should not be used to supplement a transit provider’s mistake.”
Lewin also points to concerns about negotiations with transit companies. “I am worried the YFS is only working on restoring GO Transit service and is not advocating for other bus services such as YRT/VIVA to come back. All negotiations should be more transparent,” she says.
“Metrolinx and York are exploring options to help reduce the financial impacts to students,” Scott Money, advisor, media relations, social media and issues management communications and public affairs for Metrolinx, says.
Dagonas adds: “We value our relationship with Metrolinx and our offer for GO to return to campus stands. York would welcome Metrolinx back to campus using the same operational facilities that have been available for GO Transit services in the Commons.
“We are committed to working together with Metrolinx going forward to ensure our entire community, and especially our students, have access to the best possible fares and services.”
