Council Revokes Bus Pass Age Limit

By Stuart Thomson

thom0757@algonquincollege.com

The 27 year-old age limit placed on student bus passes - which was protested heavily by students and Ottawa’s post-secondary administrations alike - was rescinded by unanimous vote at a raucous city council meeting today.

Several councillors expressed regret that the limit had originally been imposed, blaming a staff report and the circumstances that surrounded the vote, which was taken in the midst of the transit strike and lingering threat of a budget crisis.

Several members of the transit committee credited student and administration presentations for convincing them that they were mistaken.

“We heard a lot of new information at committee,” said Alex Cullen, Councillor for Ward 7 - Bay and Chair of the Transit Committee.

Cullen requested that the debate be brought forward because “(students in attendance) do not want to be late for class.”

As students streamed out of City Hall after the debate, one councillor could not resist the urge to seize a teachable moment.

“See, democracy does work,” he said into an open microphone eliciting cheers from the crowd.