Originally Posted by mallo788

Last year you didn't have to be taking summer school classes to purchase the summer pass. It looks as though that has changed this year. Does anyone know why?

It would be up to the Hamilton Street Railway Commission, I assume. Last year it was supposed to be for students in summer school, not those working. You technically may be able to get around that rule depending on what you have to show the bus drivers (eg pass only, pass + student card etc)

Strange. I had one last year without attending summer school, used the bus almost daily and had to show the bus driver my student card every time I did.

Sorry but, I don't see anyone buying it if it was just for summer school students.... you'd definitely be wasting your money.

Originally Posted by mallo788

Strange. I had one last year without attending summer school, used the bus almost daily and had to show the bus driver my student card every time I did.

That's why I said supposed to...I forget what the wording was when I wrote up the announcements last year (I was a manager at Compass)...maybe I can still find them.

I think they were meant for students because students who work (in the eyes of the HST anyway) for some reason thought work = lots of money. Anyway, I'm speculating.

Hi!
I'm going into Life Sciences at Mac, and I want to know whether I can upgrade Calculus and Vectors in summer school. I'm starting my first session in September this year, and I'm not sure whether or not Mac can accepts summer school grades this year.

Thanks

I rather buy a bike.

I had last year's pass and it was an epic hassle to deal with. None of the bus drivers I encountered knew what it was and I was nearly thrown off the bus twice. I had to calmly explain to the driver what the card was and let them scour the fine print at the back to be able to travel in peace.

I am definitely switching to the regular bus passes for this year. They're more expensive, but at least you don't have the same problems you do with the summer pass.

Originally Posted by c.erl

I had last year's pass and it was an epic hassle to deal with. None of the bus drivers I encountered knew what it was and I was nearly thrown off the bus twice. I had to calmly explain to the driver what the card was and let them scour the fine print at the back to be able to travel in peace.

I am definitely switching to the regular bus passes for this year. They're more expensive, but at least you don't have the same problems you do with the summer pass.

You should have told someone at Compass! Then they can deal with the proper people (e.g. HSR)!

Originally Posted by Entropy

I'm considering this, but I don't know if the relative price has changed since Mowicz posted that cost analysis between bus passes and tickets.

My ears are burning...lol. To Katy: I find, instead of breaking down the cost per day, it's more useful to find the number of rides you must take in order to break even (ie. the point at which you start making a profit).

Let's assume you buy tickets for all of your 'non-bus-pass' transit and use transfers when applicable (as that is the most cost-effective alternative, a priori). This is $2.00 per trip**

**For the purposes of this discussion, a 'trip' constitutes either one bus ride, or two, three, etc. in quick succession using a bus transfer.

So it's $284 for unlimited rides. Thus it takes $284/ $2 = 142 trips in order for the pass to be worthwhile. Believe it or not, this is quite a lot.


If you're taking 4 summer courses, that's a full-time courseload for two semesters, you will be taking a maximum of 8 school-related trips, per week. This is because you'll have class on 4 days (it could be 2, if you have 2 classes each day, but this is unlikely), and be taking one trip to + one back each day.

There are a total of 13 weeks of summer school. This is 13 * 8 = 104 trips.

This yields a deficit of 142 - 104 = 38 trips, which is about $76. This means, in order for the bus pass to be a good deal, you must take 38 additional bus trips over the summer. If you have a job or other reason for commuting regularly, you could make up these additional trips...but if not, you have no reason to buy this pass.

Originally Posted by RumS

Hi!
I'm going into Life Sciences at Mac, and I want to know whether I can upgrade Calculus and Vectors in summer school. I'm starting my first session in September this year, and I'm not sure whether or not Mac can accepts summer school grades this year.

Thanks

You should contact the faculty or registrar , I know they dont take that into consideration for entrance scholarships s

Why was it changed so that only summer school students can use the summer bus pass? I worked on campus as a McWork student last year and I used the summer bus pass (though I had the same problems as c.erl). I don't understand why they changed it this year ?

Originally Posted by Kathy2

Why was it changed so that only summer school students can use the summer bus pass? I worked on campus as a McWork student last year and I used the summer bus pass (though I had the same problems as c.erl). I don't understand why they changed it this year ?

See post #18 and #15.

Hey sorry if this was asked but when does my student card stop working as a bus pass? End of this term? So April 28? Am I right?

Just wanna be sure to have some cash when I'm ready to board the bus to get to an interview (*crosses fingers and prays for interview*)

Originally Posted by Melanieee

Hey sorry if this was asked but when does my student card stop working as a bus pass? End of this term? So April 28? Am I right?

Just wanna be sure to have some cash when I'm ready to board the bus to get to an interview (*crosses fingers and prays for interview*)

Nope, last day of April. BUT I would recommend bringing some cash just in case you end up with a difficult driver.