By Craig Leroux, Senior Communications Officer

Queen’s University and the City of Kingston are teaming up to make commuting to work by public transit more convenient and lighter on the wallet. The Employer Transpass Program allows Queen’s employees to subscribe to an unlimited trip, monthly transit pass through payroll deduction at a discounted rate, and the more people who sign up the deeper the discount.

A Kingston Transit express bus.

“Queen’s is committed to promoting sustainability and is proud to be a partner in Kingston Transit’s Transpass program,” says Donna Janiec, Acting Associate Vice-Principal (Facilities). “The program encourages an environmentally friendly way to commute and will mean savings for employees who choose public transit.”

Employees who subscribe to Transpass benefit from unlimited transit rides and monthly savings ranging from $10 to $19 compared to the regular monthly adult pass rate of $72.

“The Transpass Program provides a very attractive fare and the convenience of payroll deduction,” says Sheila Kidd, the City’s Director of Transportation Services. “It complements the new express bus service, which operates on a 15-minute schedule during the morning and afternoon commutes to provide riders a convenient and reliable ride. Great service at a great price! How easy is that?”

The base price of the Transpass program is $62, but the cost decreases when more employees sign up for the program. With more than 100 people signed up, the monthly cost drops to $53, a savings of 26 per cent. The Transpass program offers subscribers the flexibility to cancel at any time or to suspend their Transpass if going on vacation.

In addition to the discount, Transpass subscribers can take advantage of the public transit tax credit when filing their income taxes.

“We expect this to be a popular program at Queen’s and that’s why staff from Kingston Transit will be on campus for four days in March to enroll people in the program,” says Ms. Janiec.

Kingston Transit staff will be in Mackintosh-Corry Hall on March 6, 7 and 11 from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and then on West Campus on March 12 from 10 am to 1 pm in Duncan McArthur Hall. Enrolment forms will be provided and passes will be issued on the spot. Passes will be effective April 1 and everyone who enrolls during these three days will receive a free transit pass for 10 adult rides, a $23 value that can be used immediately.

To enroll after these days, employees will need to contact Donna Stover in Physical Plant Services to obtain the enrolment form and then visit the City Hall Payment Centre at 216 Ontario St. to have their photo taken for the pass.

For more information about the Transpass program visit the Queen’s sustainability website, read the FAQs, or contact Ms. Stover by email or telephone at ext. 77589.

To plan your commute to Queen’s, visit Kingston Transit’s trip planner.