A University of British Columbia (UBC) alum has been charged for purchasing U-Passes from post-secondary students and selling them for profit on Craigslist, according to Vancouver transit police officials.
Betty Sze Yu Wong, 25, will appear in court Dec 14. for two counts of fraud.
“Wong . . . purchased numerous U-Passes from various students of 4 post-secondary educational institutions and resold the passes for profit on Craigslist. The passes were purchased by Wong at a reduced rate and resold for a substantial profit,” the statement read.
The U-Pass, which is available to students attending 10 public post secondary institutions in the Metro Vancouver area, enables students to commute to their destination for a monthly fee of $30. A regular monthly pass is valued at $115.
Unlike the previous FastTrack program that was replaced in September 2011, the U-Pass does not contain a picture I.D., according to the B.C. transit website.
“In order for the pass to be valid, students must print their name on the pass and carry valid student ID at all times,” said Carole Jolly, director of transportation planning.
Students must sign their U-Passes and must carry their valid student ID at all times when riding transit to avoid a $173 fine, according to UBC’s U-Pass FAQs.
UBC students attain their monthly U-Passes by going to automated vending machines located around campus.
Carleton University has had no occurrences to comment on regarding the U-Pass, according to Staff Sgt. Mark Hargreaves from Carleton University’s department of university safety.
