U-Pass FAQ
Q: What is the new U-Pass BC Program?
A: The new U-Pass BC Program provides eligible students at participating schools with lower transit fares while they are taking courses. Participation is open to all publicly funded, post-secondary institutions in Metro Vancouver. TransLink will organize the U-Pass BC program with participating schools and their student societies.
The "U" in U-Pass 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, the cost per student is significantly lower.
Q: What are the objectives of the U-Pass?
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 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 service that meets this demand
- Create a new U-Pass Code of Ethics that allows students to continue to enjoy the benefits of U-Pass BC
Q: What is the price of the U-Pass?
A: In Metro Vancouver, students participating in the new U-Pass program will pay $30 per month rising to $35 per month in April 2013.
Q: What happens to the current Vancity U-Pass program now that the new U-Pass BC Program is starting?
A: TransLink's current Vancity U-Pass program will end and all currently participating publicly funded post-secondary institutions will have an opportunity to subscribe to the new U-Pass BC Program following the five steps outlined under "Our school wants to join the new U-Pass BC Program. What do we need to do?" question further down this page.
During this transition period, the monthly U-Pass rates at Langara College and Capilano University will be decreased to $30 per month effective September 1, 2010. Rates for students at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) will stay as they are now until September 1, 2011 when they will increase to $30.
Q: What new schools can join the U-Pass BC Program?
A: In Metro Vancouver, the following are among the publicly-funded schools that now have an opportunity to join the new U-Pass BC Program:
- Vancouver Community College
- Douglas College
- Emily Carr University
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- The Justice Institute of BC
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
- Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, Burnaby Campus
Each participating school will have the same U-Pass program and the price per student will be the same regardless of the number of schools opting to subscribe.
Q: Our school wants to join the new U-Pass BC Program. What do we need to do?
A: Schools will have to follow these five steps to join the U-Pass BC Program:
- TransLink will consult with schools and student societies on the details of the new U-Pass BC program.
- Institutions will notify TransLink that they wish to begin the process to join the new U-Pass BC program in a process beginning September 1, 2010.
- Dependent upon the time for institutions to develop processes to administer the program, and TransLink to prepare signage, notifications, and other infrastructure changes and a proposed institutional U-Pass BC start date will be determined.
- Students must approve participation in the program through a referendum or another process according to their student society's constitution.
- The schools and TransLink must reach a contract that includes the school's agreement to administer the new U-Pass BC Program.
Depending on the timing of these processes, schools could have their program running as early as January 2011. Schools needing more time to organize for the program will be able to consult TransLink on other times to join the new U-Pass BC program.
Q: Can I opt-in or out of the U-Pass program?
A: To join the new U-Pass BC program, students must approve it according to the processes allowed by their student society. In many cases, this will involve a referendum. As well, the school must agree to administer the program in its contract with TransLink. If, through this process, a school subscribes to U-Pass BC, the program becomes mandatory for most students – this is how the cost is kept low. However, there will be limited exemptions for students if they meet certain criteria. The criteria will be defined during the process to develop the program details that will involve TransLink, the Province of BC, Council of Senior Student Affairs Leaders (CSSAL) and student groups.
Q: Will the FastTrax Program still be available?
A: Yes. The FastTrax pass continues to be available to full-time students attending publicly funded post-secondary institutions that are not participating in the U-Pass Program. With a FastTrax sticker on their student card, students can take one, two or three-zone transit trips with a one-zone adult monthly pass.
Q: How do I pay for the U-Pass?
The U-Pass fee is assessed with other student fees and your tuition. You'll only be assessed a U-Pass fee for the period in which you are studying.
Q: How long is the U-Pass valid?
A: The U-Pass will indicate an expiry date; however, the length of the term will be determined through a process to develop the program details that will involve TransLink, the Province of BC, CSSAL and student groups.
Q: Is the U-Pass transferable?
A: The U-Pass Card is not transferable. Lending or selling your U-Pass to another person, or attempting to use another person's U-Pass, 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.
Q: What schools are on the current Vancity U-Pass Program?
A: Simon Fraser University (SFU), University of British Columbia (UBC), Langara College and Capilano University (Cap U) are the current participating schools.
For more information about your schools' participation in the current Vancity U-Pass program, visit your U-Pass coordinator or log into your schools' U-Pass website:
Q: Are private institutions eligible to participate in the U-Pass program?
A: Only publicly funded, post-secondary schools within the Metro Vancouver region, as determined by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market, 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
Q: Can the U-Pass can be used as part of the Sunday/Holiday FareCard Special?
A: No, U-Passes are 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).
Q: Can the new U-Pass BC be used on public transit outside the Lower Mainland?
A: The U-Pass BC for Metro Vancouver schools is only valid within the TransLink service region it is issued.
Q: When will the new U-Pass BC Program be implemented outside of the Lower Mainland.
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
Q: Where can I get more information about the new U-Pass BC Program?
A: If you are a student at a participating school, talk to your school's student organization.
Check back here often - our site will be updated as TransLink and the schools consult and clarify details of the new U-Pass BC program.