The councillor for St. Vital wants to change the rules for mandatory student bus passes at the Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba.

Brian Mayes wants to allow students who live inside city limits but don't get bus service the option to opt out of paying for a U-Pass; those people would include, for example, those living in the Ramblewood area in south St Vital, near the Perimeter.

University of Winnipeg Student Association president Laura Garinger says she wants people to be treated fairly with U-Pass, but suggests she'd rather see transit service extended.

"I definitely see the point in making sure that people who don't have access to transit aren't paying for something they don't need, but I think the better option is just to make sure we have services that are going out there on a reliable basis," she says.

U-Passes are, for the most part, mandatory, but there are exceptions, such as for people living outside of City of Winnipeg boundaries. The passes are paid for in tuition fees.

Mayes says his proposed change won't affect a large number of students, and he estimates it will cost the city about $8,000 per year. He says the city already pays the universities some of the administrative costs for U-pass so he doesn't see a problem with paying a bit more to provide certain students with the option of opting out.

Garinger says word of the proposed change was a surprise to the UWSA, as they haven't been consulted. She says the feedback they've had on the U-Pass is really good so far, and people love it, but there is room for improvement. Garinger would like to see eligibility opened up, to allow part-time students to get the universal passes as well.

Mayes' motion will be discussed at an upcoming city public works committee meeting.