U-Pass BC FAQ

A: The U-Pass BC Program provides eligible students at participating public post secondary institutions with lower transit fares while they are taking courses. Participation is open to all public post-secondary institutions' campuses in Metro Vancouver. To implement the program, TransLink has been working closely with all the participating post secondary institutions and their student societies.

The "U" in U-Pass BC stands for "universal". All eligible students must pay a set monthly amount and each of them will receive a transit pass. By having all eligible students contribute to the U-Pass BC program, the cost per student is significantly lower.

A: The objectives of the new U-Pass BC Program are to:

• Provide lower-cost travel for students
• Encourage students to make transit part of their lifestyle by including travel with the U-Pass BC card for entertainment, recreation and other non-school related trips
• Reduce single occupancy vehicles, traffic congestion and greenhouse gases
• Begin to create a sustainable transit program that provides students with a low cost transit fare and a level of transit service that meets this demand
• Create a new U-Pass BC Code of Ethics that allows students to continue to enjoy the benefits of the U-Pass BC card

A: In Metro Vancouver, the following public post-secondary schools' campuses within Metro Vancouver are participating in the current U-Pass BC Program:

• University of British Columbia
• Simon Fraser University
• Capilano University
• Langara College
• Vancouver Community College
• Douglas College
• Emily Carr University of Art and Design
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

Each participating post-secondary institution in Metro Vancouver is part of the same U-Pass BC program and the U-Pass BC card price per student is the same regardless of the number of post secondary institutions that are participating.

Although it is eligible, the Justice Institute of BC is not currently participating in the U-Pass BC program.

A: The current U-Pass BC program expires March 2013. In order for students to continue to participate in the U-Pass BC program, students must approve the new fees for 2013, 2014, 2015 years. 

From January to March 2013, students across Metro Vancouver will have an opportunity to vote in a referendum to continue their participation in the U-Pass BC program. If the majority of students at a post-secondary institution vote against continuing to participate in the U-Pass BC program at the proposed prices, the U-Pass BC program will no longer be available to students at that institution as of April 1, 2013, and students would have to pay regular adult prices to use transit from that time on.

A: Only public, post-secondary schools within the Metro Vancouver region, as determined by the Ministry of Advanced Education, are eligible to join TransLink's U-Pass BC Program. Privately funded, post-secondary schools, at this time, are not eligible to join the U-Pass BC Program. Private schools requesting further information should contact the Provincial representative - John Coombs, Manager Strategic Planning and Policy, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Transit Branch at: John.Coombs@gov.bc.ca

A: To join the new U-Pass BC program, students approved it according to the processes allowed by their student society. In many cases, this involved a referendum. As well, each post secondary institution agreed to administer the program in its agreement with TransLink. If, through this process, a post secondary institution subscribes to U-Pass BC, the program becomes mandatory for all students who meet the eligibility criteria – this helps keep the cost low. However, there are limited exemptions for students if they meet certain criteria. To find out if you are eligible for an exemption, contact your post secondary institution or student society.

A: For information about the program in other areas of the Province, please contact - John Coombs, Manager Strategic Planning and Policy, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Transit Branch at: John.Coombs@gov.bc.ca

A: The proposed new monthly rate of U-Pass BC is 

• $35 from May 2013 to April 2014
• $36.75 from May 2014 to April 2015 and 
• $38 from May 2015 to April 2016.

From January to March 2013, students across Metro Vancouver will have an opportunity to vote in a referendum to continue their participation in the U-Pass BC Program.

A: If successful, all eligible students attending public post-secondary institutions will be required to purchase the U-Pass BC as a part of their student fees.

A: The program will continue from April 2013 to April 2016.

A: No. The U-Pass BC is only valid on TransLink services in Metro Vancouver.

A: No, the U-Pass BC card is not eligible for this benefit. In accordance with the Transit Tariff, only full fare 1, 2 and 3 zone adult Farecards, employer passes, and WCE employer passes are valid on Sundays and Statutory Holidays for two adults (14 and older) and up to four children (13 and under).

A: Under the new U-Pass BC program, eligible HandyDART users will be able to use their U-Pass BC card for their HandyDART trips.

A: The U-Pass BC card is not transferable. Lending or selling your U-Pass BC card to another person, or attempting to use another person's U-Pass BC card, is an offence. Students need to carry additional photo I.D. to verify your identity and that you are currently registered as a student at an enrolled U-Pass BC institution.

A: If you are caught without a valid fare (U-Pass BC plus matching student card), your U-Pass BC may be confiscated and you may be fined $173.

If a person is caught using another student's U-Pass BC or using a U-Pass BC forgery, in addition to the above penalties, the pass will be seized and the person may be charged with fraud and arrested.

Under the U-Pass BC Agreement; TransLink, the post secondary institution and the Student Society each have the ability to restrict students from receiving U-Passes BC for any period of time as a result of fraudulent or inappropriate use of a U-Pass BC.

A: In accordance with the Tariff and the U-Pass BC Agreement, no refunds will be considered.

A: To discuss the details related to correspondence students, contact your post secondary institution or student society.

A: On WCE, the U-Pass BC pass entitles students to either an add-fare discount of $2.50 off an adult fare, or they can purchase a WCE 28-Day U-Pass for $94. Students must have a valid U-Pass to qualify.

A: To find out more information, contact your student association.