“I know this is short notice, but if you’re interested, we’ll be filming another video anthem for OnePassNow in front of the Vancouver Convention Center today…and Premier Gordon Campbell will be there.”

I got this call around 9-ish AM. The filming would commence in two hours. Like a bolt of lightning, a Costco-sized surge of energy drink and double-shot espresso, my mind IGNITED with this fantastic opportunity.But who was this call from? And why did it automatically snap me from “snooze” to wide awake? The call was from Tiffany Kalanj, organizer for the Students’ Union of Vancouver Community College (VCC) and media representative  for the OnePassNow 2009 campaign.OnePassNow is a transit campaign led by the students’ unions of UBC, Emily Carr University, Douglas College, and VCC to remind Premier Gordon Campbell of his election promise earlier this year: to provide all students attending post-secondary in B.C. access to an affordable, universal transit pass. For those who are unfamiliar with U-Pass, U-Pass is basically a 3-month bus pass that allows its user unlimited commuting access to bus, SeaBus, and SkyTrain services in all zones, as well as discounts on WestCoast Express, for a fee that is paid with tuition fees. In other words: an extremely practical and environmentally-friendly commuting option for those who are unable to or cannot afford to drive to school every day.So what’s the buzz all about? Approximately 65, 000 Metro Vancouver students have already banded together to make a statement and demand equality and affordability. The purpose of the campaign, as stated by Kalanj, is simple: to alert the Premier that students all over the province are “pissed off at U-Pass discrimination and want something done about it.” With student expenses and monthly pass prices soon-to-be rising to $81/month, students are expecting a break. What the campaign proposes is not only a universal pass, but one that is available for a flat $25/month. There is currently a discrepancy between how much students at UBC, SFU, Langara College and Capilano University pay. Although students acknowledge that price is determined by student population, many have expressed how difficult it is to afford post-secondary education and other expenses, as well as how fair or unfair they think the situation to be. If you take into account all students, those not attending the previously mentioned schools account for a substantial amount!A creative, unaggressive approach is OnePassNow’s mode of delivery. The Friday morning I received Tiffany’s call, a small group of musically-gifted VCC students were shooting a new anthem campaign. I briefly met and chatted with the passionate group to get a deeper sense of how important this campaign is and the direction it is heading. Caitlin Tom, Joshua Matumona, Janelle Claudio, Melissa Ficke, and Tiffany Kalanj all greeted me outside the Convention Center. The group sung their cheeky, informative anthem outside the Center while inside, the Premier and other municipal officials held some “important stuff” as put by Convention Center security. Joshua on guitar and the ladies complimenting each others’ melodies made for a beautiful message.CHECK OUT THE CAMPAIGN VIDEO HERE: OnePassNow “UPass Soul” Campaign Anthem 2009When I asked them if they had received any sort of reaction from the government, Tiffany shared a media release with me from April 2009 that confirms Vancouver City Council’s support. Mayor Gregor Robertson (Vancouver) has expressed that “we need to have a U-Pass system that is accessible for all post-secondary students,” and that he is “proud to support” and believes “strongly in this campaign.” Honourable Shirley Bond, BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, had replied that they are “looking into it.” How far are they looking? And how long will they be looking? Who really knows? We’re expecting something as soon as possible; hopefully before 2010, before the January term begins, before monthly transit pass prices increase and before the 2010 Winter Olympics overshadow the needs of its hosts.Before packing up I asked Caitlin, Joshua, and Tiffany what message they would like me to echo for them. They replied with the following genuine comments: “We’re all studying and we’re all broke,” “Follow your word,” “We’re ready,” and finally, “We remember May.” Although I am fortunate to have a U-Pass, I’d like to see this campaign brought to the light of the Premier’s frameless glasses. I’d like to see my friends and family at other schools with a U-Pass in their wallets. I’d love to see equality. I hope you remember, Mr. Premier, that there are approximately 100, 000 post-secondary students in this province. Isn’t there another election coming up? We’re all eligible to vote…Just saying…Just thought I’d remind ya…because just as the VCC musicians and singers I spoke with so simply stated, “We remember May.”So far, OnePassNow has implemented organized campus events at VCC and Emily Carr University in order to get students talking. You may have seen their YouTube videos, tag cloud, stickers, or leaflets around town! 6, 000 supporters signed postcards that were presented at a motion in front of Vancouver City Council in April 2009. A complaint has been filed with the BC Ombudsman. Eager to see what comes next? Be sure to keep yourself updated on the progress of this campaign.OnePassNow has been picking up speed and is present on a variety of mediums to spread the word. So far, OnePassNow has attracted the attention of CTV News and 24 Hours Daily. They have a website located at http://www.onepassnow.ca and are available on both Facebook (OnePassNow – Group, One Pass Now – Fan Page) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/onepassnow ).  Spread the word! To voice your opinion, show your support, track the campaign’s progress, or get more information, visit the OnePassNow website at www.onepassnow.ca.ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFO In 2002, TransLink commenced discussions with UBC, SFU, LangaraCollege and Vancouver Community College on the feasibility of aUniversal Transit Pass. In part, the discussions were a result of thesuccess at all of the Victoria-area post-secondary institutions,University of Washington, and various institutions in Ontario.Following the discussion, research was conducted for UBC, SFU, LangaraCollege and Vancouver Community College to determine the percentage ofridership for these respective institutions. Once the research wascomplete, negotiations began with SFU and UBC. Langara College andVancouver Community College were almost immediately excluded from theprocess with the promise that universities would be the pilot projectand colleges and institutes would be included in the coming years.The last formal correspondence TransLink has made with DouglasCollege, Vancouver Community College and Emily Carr University aboutthe U-Pass was in May 2007 when an offer of a $34 per month U-Pass wasmade and almost immediately expired. Since then the administration andstudents at these institutions have lobbied for a fairly priced U-Passwith no success. In February 2008, the Emily Carr Students Union,  Emily Carr University, the Students’ Unions of Vancouver CommunityCollege and Vancouver Community College sent a joint letter toTransLink stating that we would like to move forward with theimplementation of a U-Pass. It was understood that the original pricehad expired, but to date TransLink has not responded to theopportunity to negotiate a U-Pass.During the last election, the Premier of BC promised to introduce acommon U-Pass program for all post-secondary students for a flat feethat is the same for students throughout Metro Vancouver. But sincewinning the election, the Premier hasn’t said much about his promise.Students from Douglas College, VCC, Emily Carr and UBC began workingtogether in the summer to launch the OnePassNow campaign to help thePremier remember his promise.