It appears someone is trying to make a buck off city hall’s plan to get youth riding the bus.
Just 24 hours after announcing Victoria’s free youth bus passes will be available to students in December, multiple Craigslist ads have emerged trying to sell and purchase youth monthly bus passes on BC Transit.
The passes which are free for Victoria to pick up at city hall, are being sold for $25.
Another post says “We BUY” youth passes for $8.
The post says, “Maybe you decided you did not need one, and you can’t return it for a refund.”
Although the posts don’t specifically mention Victoria’s free bus pass initiative, one post does say, “maybe you got a cheap or free pass as part of some program.”
“WE PAY CASH ON THE SPOT for Victoria BC Transit youth passes (12-18 years old). $8 to $10 in most cases. We’ll even come to you in some cases if that’s convenient. Hey, group 5 friends together and you might be in for $40 or $50 CASH on the spot,” says one post.
Another post says orders are being taken for December and asks people to reserve cards for in advance.
On Tuesday, a motion passed at a Victoria Regional Transit Commission Meeting approving a U-Pass for the City of Victoria, to be purchased by the city at a rate of $11.25 per pass per month.
The city is working with the Greater Victoria School District to turn student cards into U-Passes, but that wasn’t possible for this calendar year.
As a temporary measure, youth are being asked to show identification at city hall to pick up their U-Pass.
Currently, youth aged 18 and younger pay $2.50 a ride on BC Transit or $45 for a monthly pass. Children 12 years and younger can ride free when accompanying a pass-carrying guardian.
Joe Perkins
