Missing in Action: Drashtant, We Have Questions About the Bus Pass

Joel Rumson, Editor in Chief

At first glance, this seemed like a typical campus decision, yet beneath the surface lurks a significant disparity: while domestic students get to enjoy an optional fee of $120.00 for the bus pass, all international students are saddled with a mandatory fee of $180.00. Why?

Because the City of Fredericton agreed only on the condition that all international students were included.

The UNBSU shared to students at the very bottom of their February 3, 2025 newsletter, 

“Did you know that undergraduate students at the University of New Brunswick currently pay $720 per year for a Fredericton transit pass? Thanks to negotiations between UNBSU and the City of Fredericton, a new deal has been proposed:

1. International students would pay a mandatory fee of $180 per year and receive a bus pass in return.
2. Domestic students would have the option to opt in if they choose.

However, this deal will only happen if international students vote in the Student Bus Pass Referendum which is happening now until February 5 at 11:59 PM.”

Although they only gave students two days from the newsletter launch to vote, they described voting and the referendum as important because,

“each year, the UNBSU Welcome Centre receives over 400 international student requests for a bus pass. This referendum is an opportunity to secure an affordable and convenient transportation option for international students.”

The UNBSU concluded — at the very bottom — their newsletter with,

“International students – your vote is crucial! Make sure to have your say before the deadline.

📩 Have questions? Email president@unbsu.ca” 

The next UNBSU newsletter, on February 17, was long after the February 5 voting deadline and made no mention of the referendum results. 

The lack of transparency surrounding the referendum results further raises concerns about whether the UNBSU ensured fair participation. If the UNBSU genuinely prioritized international students’ concerns, they would have ensured earlier notification, extended the voting period, and provided clear follow-up communication about the referendum results. Instead, the scheduling choices call into question the legitimacy behind whether student governance at UNBF truly prioritizes inclusivity and decision making. 

Furthermore, although international students are forced to pay the $180.00 — which effectively subsidizes the entire UNBSU bus pass program — there are many who obtain their passes through the City of Fredericton at no cost to the UNBSU. Will they also be forced to pay the 180.00 mandatory fee?

Thankfully, the meeting minutes from the February 9th, 2025 SU meeting are public. 

It opens,

Francisco Bonilla, Vice President Academic, “after more than 20 years the SU (student union) has finally passed a bus pass referendum! We’re working to have it ready by September. Thank you and congratulations to all!”

When questions were raised about whether you can opt-in or opt-out, Bonilla replied,

“The deal with the city is that all international students would have to be within this program.”

Kierra McAlpine, Vice President of Events and Services, added, “to add context, in order to secure a deal, we have to give them a guarantee of numbers. The city is not open to any sort of conversation about a bus pass without a guarantee.”

McAlpine continued, 

“the numbers that we see in the Welcome Center for bus passes are largely international students. There have also been a lot of complaints about the pain of renewing monthly passes.

It was a democratic process, it was 70%  – 400 ish yeses. STU has this program for the entire campus.” 

For reference, Saint Thomas University passed their referendum in 2006, and operates through the hotspot app ($160.00). 

Furthermore, If 70% equals “400 ish” that would mean the total population of voters is approximately 570. But, UNBF hosts over 1252 undergraduate international students. 

Chris Tejas, (Council Member) ended the discussion with,

“International students have to be in it, but domestic students can opt in. It will be included in university fees.”

For comparison, full-time domestic students in Arts pay $9,594.50 CAD for both the Fall and Winter terms, while international students already pay more than double at $21,186.25 CAD.

For the exact same period… a difference of $11,591.75 CAD…why add on another $180.00, but let domestic students choose? 

The Vice President of Communication, Andrea Castillo, said they “created and shared content promoting the student bus referendum, making sure students vote.” 

Only giving two days to vote, however, was for some not enough time to really “make sure” students vote. 

Juhi Karkera shared their voice as an international student studying at UNB.

“yes, there is a need for the bus pass, and the effort to pass a referendum is appreciated. I also understand that there hasn’t been a referendum that’s passed in the last 20 years…. But… exploiting international students’ money and tuition — UNB should be taking a stand against that, especially the Student Union.”

Drashtant Varma, President of the UNBSU, concludes the meeting by sharing that tuition is expected to increase by 3 – 5% — directly affecting both international and domestic students — and that 5 of the 9 million deficit is “because of the international caps.”

Ironically, while UNBSU actively justifies the mandatory $180.00 fee as a way to “support international students” Varma simultaneously acknowledges that international students are already disproportionately affected by rising tuition and financial pressures. 

Instead of advocating for international students and financial relief, yet another cost is imposed onto those who are being priced out of the system. 

Varma “will be away for the next while.” says Tejas.

Tejas added,

“He’s still working, you can still email him. You just might not see him in person until after elections are over in March. Can still use the same email and number to reach him.”