The Edmonton area “U-Pass” is a transit fare program providing participating post-secondary students with unlimited access to regular Edmonton, St. Albert Transit (StAT) and Strathcona County Transit services during fall (September – December) and winter (January – April) academic terms. The University of Alberta and MacEwan University also offer Spring/Summer U-Pass (May - August). The U-Pass program is a partnership of local municipalities, post-secondary institutions and their student governments.

U-Pass does not include charter, special event or contracted services provided by ETS, St. Albert Transit or Strathcona County Transit to outlying communities, or specialized handibus transit services offered by StAT and Strathcona County Transit. U-Pass is accepted on Edmonton Transit DATS (Disabled Adult Transit Service) service.

Participation in the U-Pass program is available to any publicly-funded post-secondary institutions in the Edmonton region which have been included by Alberta Learning in their “Six Sector” classification model. Visit www.eae.alberta.ca for further information.

U-Pass prices are significantly lower than the amount students would otherwise pay for monthly passes or tickets over the course of a term, and provide unlimited travel throughout the region.

• Edmonton Transit  - $324 over 4 months or $81 per month.
• Strathcona County Transit - $372 over 4 months or $93 per month.
• St. Albert Transit - $400 over 4 months or $100 per month.

The following are the U-Pass per term prices approved by Council for U-Pass agreements currently in place (September 2013 – April 2017):

• 2013/14: $147.50 per term 
• 2014/15: $155.00 per term
• 2015/16: $162.50 per term
• 2016/17: $170.00 per term
• * University of Alberta provides a subsidy to their students.

Transit service improvements are made in response to increased use. Transit use among participating students doubled with the introduction of U-Pass. Significant service improvements have in fact been made in response to the increased use since U-Pass implementation.

U-Pass programs offer students a way to lower their transportation costs, not only for school but also for unlimited transit use across the region including St. Albert and Strathcona County and Edmonton. This means options for housing, work and recreation are no longer restricted by transit costs. Benefits from reduced vehicle use include

• Transit service improvements in response to greater demand
• Reduced traffic congestion around the campus and local community
• Reduced demand for parking facilities (fewer resources spent on facilities)
• Reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions and their accompanying benefits

The U-Pass is comprised of a U-Pass sticker affixed to the Student Photo Identification card. The pass (ID with valid sticker) is non-transferable and subject to inspection by transit Operators. The sticker is valid for an entire four-month school term; a new sticker is needed for each term, September to December, and January to April. U of A students have a Spring/Summer U-Pass as well, valid May to August.

U-Pass stickers are issued to student by their institution ONLY. 

If your school is part of the U-Pass program, check institution websites for dates and locations for sticker issue.

University of Alberta: www.upass.ualberta.ca
MacEwan: http://samu.ca/programs-services/upass/
NAIT: http://www.naitsa.ca/services/upass/
NorQuest College: http://www.sanqc.ca/

A student referendum is required to implement a U-Pass program. Referenda are typically coordinated by a student governing council, and have typically occurred in spring, at the same time as student government body elections.

Not all post-secondary institutions were involved in the initial three-year U-Pass pilot, however, with participating Councils approving a renewed three-year program, all post-secondary schools under Alberta Education’s “Six Sector Model” may choose to participate in the U-Pass program. Participation in the program is student-driven and would require majority support in a student referendum. Please contact your students’ association for further information and to indicate interest.

Spruce Grove and Fort Saskatchewan are municipalities operating their own transit services. These municipalities contract Edmonton Transit (or St. Albert Transit in the case of Morinville) to supply limited service on a specific route. While the vehicles used may have the “look” of Edmonton Transit they are not ETS service, but rather service operated by each respective community.

While this approach makes it feasible for these municipalities to offer limited commuter service, it is not ideal for riders relying on other routes or those participating in a U-Pass program through their institution. These municipalities (along with participating student councils and regional transit administrations) recognize the frustration caused to some students and continue to explore the issue; however additional resources to participate in the U-Pass program are not currently available.

Discussions are underway between municipalities in the Capital Region around the creation of an integrated regional transit network which better meets the needs of all users. Students who live in outlying areas and commute to school in Edmonton should communicate any further concerns or questions to their local municipal leaders.

Fare arrangements for U-Pass holders

• Fort Saskatchewan transit service - Check the Fort Saskatchewan Transit website for fare provisions for U-Pass holders and most current service and fare information.
• Leduc Transit - $1 loonie fare for U-Pass holders. Check Leduc Transit website for most current information.
• Spruce Grove is not included in U-Pass. Check the Spruce Grove Transit website for most current service and fare information.

The U-Pass pass program is made available to an entire student group irrespective of where individuals may live or their level of transit use. It is this “group discount” that makes the lower price of the U-Pass possible and therefore there are very limited opt-out situations.

Registered students not enrolled in a credit course on a campus within the participating municipalities are not charged the U-Pass fee.

The following students may apply to opt-out of their U-Pass fee assessment:

• Students registered with the participating municipalities as qualifying for Disabled Adult Transportation Services;
• Students with a valid CNIB registration;
• Students who are employees of a participating transit system;
• Students enrolled in practicum or “work experience” courses who must fulfil their course requirements outside Municipal boundaries for the majority of that school term; and
• Students whose registration at another institution also requires their participation in the U-Pass program.

Students who may opt-out of U-Pass under the above criteria will still be assessed their U-Pass fee unless they apply to opt-out of the program, and should contact their students’ association for further information.

Currently, University of Alberta and MacEwan University have Summer Term U-Pass, May 1 - August 31.

Typically, student groups initiate U-Pass projects, either through campus interest groups or under the direction of their student councils or associations. An evaluation is then completed in cooperation with the transit provider(s);

• Research and transit cost estimates are completed by transit partners, feasibility is evaluated and funding established;
• A U-Pass price (the fee paid by students) is approved by City Councils of participating communities;
• The U-Pass concept and price are brought to a student referendum.

Once students approve the U-Pass fee structure in a referendum, a formal agreement is signed between the local transit authorities and the post-secondary institution's students’ union/association, or the institution's administration. These agreements confirm the terms and conditions, including length of the program, eligibility, pricing and administrative procedures.

U-Pass programs are common at post-secondary institutions across North America, with 25 Canadian cities and over 50 institutions currently participating in a U-Pass program. Canadian cities include Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Hamilton, London, Kingston, Peterborough, Guelph, Windsor and others.