Universal Transit Pass FAQ
U-Pass programs are a “group purchase” transit discount giving students enrolled in participating post-secondary institutions unlimited access to local regular transit services. The pass is subsidized by participating transit systems and is offered to students at a participating institution, as a group.
It is the “group discount” approach which makes the lower price of U-Pass possible. While all participants can access the U-Pass discount on all participating transit systems, the pass is made available to a group irrespective of where individuals may live or their level of transit use.
U-Pass programs are funded through mandatory fees paid by all eligible students in each term they are registered. These fees are then transferred to the local transit authority.
- U-Pass FAQ - What is the U-Pass?
- What does the U-Pass cost compared to a regular post-secondary pass?
- Has the U-Pass produced transit service improvements for students?
- What are other benefits of a U-Pass program?
- What type of fare product is used for U-Pass?
- Are students consulted about adoption of U-Pass?
- Which institutions are eligible to participate in the U-Pass?
- Why aren’t outlying communities included in U-Pass?
- Can I opt-out of the U-Pass program?
- What about U-Pass during the summer?
- How is the U-Pass program implemented?
- Where else have U-Pass programs been implemented?
- 1. U-Pass FAQ - What is the U-Pass?
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 U-Pass program is a partnership of local municipalities, post-secondary institutions and their student governments.
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 http://www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca for further information.
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 service.
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- 2. What does the U-Pass cost compared to a regular post-secondary pass?
Regular post-secondary transit passes do not allow unlimited travel between participating municipalities. For 2011, a regular post-secondary pass for a four-month semester would cost:
- Edmonton: $297.00
- St. Albert: $316.00.
- Strathcona: $320.00
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. The current U-Pass price is $125.00 per-semester, and per-semester prices approved by Council for 2010 to 2013 are:
- 2010-11: $110.00
- 2011-12: $125.00
- 2012-13: $140.00
- 3. Has the U-Pass produced transit service improvements for 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 this increased use, over the past three years.
- Edmonton Transit added 600 hours of service per week to accommodate U-Pass ridership. This included 19 additional buses and 3 new bus routes, as well as additional LRT service with the opening of the South Campus LRT station. For the addition of NAIT to the U-Pass program, ETS added 225 hours of service and a new regular route from Mill Woods (Route 15).
- St. Albert Transit service from St. Albert to the University of Alberta has increased by approximately 20% compared to pre- U-Pass levels, with additional express buses, evening trips and overload buses. Service to MacEwan has more than doubled, benefiting from major StAT route changes in Downtown Edmonton implemented in 2007.
- Strathcona County Transit increased service to University of Alberta by 24.5 service hours per week (a 40% increase) and to MacEwan by 14.5 service hours per week (a 24% increase). New trips were added mainly during the midday and evening with overloads added during peak hours. Percentages were calculated based on pre-U-Pass service levels.
- 4. What are other benefits of a U-Pass program?
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
- 5. What type of fare product is used for U-Pass?
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-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.ualberta.ca/u-pass
MacEwan: www.macewan.ca/upass- 6. Are students consulted about adoption of U-Pass?
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. In spring of 2010, students at eligible institutions will be able to vote on participation in the U-Pass program.
For the pilot program, introduced in 2007, students at the University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan voted on the U-Pass with the following results:
- University of Alberta Graduate Students voted 83 per cent in favour of U-Pass during a referendum held February 8 - 15, 2007. GSA Press Release
- University of Alberta undergraduates voted 84 per cent in favour of U-Pass during undergraduate referendum held March 7 & 8, 2007.
- Grant MacEwan students voted 73% in favour of a U-Pass program in a March 2007 referendum. MacEwan FAQs.
- 7. Which institutions are eligible to participate in the U-Pass?
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. This includes NAIT, Norquest College, King’s University College and Concordia University College, in addition to Grant MacEwan University and the University of Alberta. Participation in the program is student-driven and would require majority support in a student referendum. Please contact your students’ association for further information.
- 8. Why aren’t outlying communities included in U-Pass?
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 municipality.
- 9. Can I opt-out of the U-Pass program?
Registered students not enrolled in a credit course on a campus within the participating municipalities are not charged the U-Pass fee. 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. 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.
- 10. What about U-Pass during the summer?
- City Councils in Edmonton, St. Albert and Strathcona have agreed to consider a summer U-Pass for the same four-month term and pricing as with the regular U-Pass program and discussions are currently underway with student groups. Please contact your student government representative for further information, or to express your perspective on a summer U-Pass program.
- 11. How is the U-Pass program implemented?
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, feasibility is evaluated and funding established;
- A U-Pass price (the fee paid by students) is approved by City Councils;
- 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.
- 12. Where else have U-Pass programs been implemented?
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.
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