Stellenbosch University
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Fee for SU evening shuttle suspended
Author: Corporate Communication Division
Published: 14/02/2019

The Stellenbosch University management yesterday afternoon (28 February 2019) decided to suspend the implementation of the user fee for the evening shuttle service on the Stellenbosch campus after a meeting with the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).
 
At the meeting the University Management offered to work with the SRC and other student leaders to explore equitable funding options to ensure the best solution for a long-term sustainable service. During the initial pilot phase of the SU evening shuttle, the service operated free of charge in collaboration with taxi operators and private service providers in support of local entrepreneurs.
 
The planned implementation of an evening shuttle fee was contested by the SRC and student groups after the announcement of the R9,00 fee per trip applicable from 1 March 2019 (and later postponed to 8 March), despite full concessions to students who need financial support. SU offered full concessions to NSFAS bursary holders, as well as to students in the ‘missing middle’ who receive SU financial aid (i.e. students who are assessed to have a joint annual household income of R600 000 or below). This reflected SU’s equitable approach whereby those who can afford are expected to pay for a service and those who cannot, are fully supported.
 
This principle of user-pay (with financial support where needed) and the relationship with private transport service providers in Stellenbosch remain important factors in the University’s overall fiscal discipline and stakeholder engagement. The continuation of the fee-free evening shuttle will entail finding equitable funding sources, and ensuring that it does not have a negative impact on local community relations.