U-PASS – Frequently Asked Questions
1. How did the U-Pass come to exist?
The U-Pass is a universal transit pass, which provides unlimited access to public transit services in exchange for a mandatory fee.
This is a student-led initiative. It was a political platform spearheaded by students at the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association in 2014, mirroring similar progressive U-Pass programs practiced in cities across Canada, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Brandon.
Visit the UWSA website and video about the U-Pass.
2. Who authorized the U-Pass program?
UWSA students voted and passed it in a referendum on October 29, 2014. A strong majority, 81.7%, voted in favor. Winnipeg City Council approved the U-Pass program to begin in the fall of 2016. Students at the University of Manitoba also voted in favor of the U-Pass.
3. Who is included in the U-Pass program?
All full-time undergraduate and graduate students at UWinnipeg are assessed the fee. Full-time means those taking 9 credit hours or more per term. Part time students are exempt from the U-Pass.
4. How much does it cost?
U-Pass fees are $130 per term for the 2016/2017 academic year, or $260 for a full academic year (September – April).
5. When will I be charged for the U-Pass?
The U-PASS charge will be applied to all full-time student accounts for each fall and winter term. The fee may not be applied concurrently with other fees, and may be applied to your account up to a week afterwards and no earlier than July 11, 2016.Students should review their accounts prior to the payment deadline and during the add/drop full refund period to ensure their balances are paid each term.
6. Can students opt-out? (Why not?)
Enrollment for full-time students is mandatory, as per the student referendum and legal Winnipeg City Council directive. There are exemptions that apply for some students – those that use
Handi-Transit, and students that live outside of the Winnipeg Transit service area.
7. Can students transfer their pass to someone else?
No, the U-Pass is linked to a student number and is non-transferrable.
8. Where and when can students use the U-Pass?
The U-Pass can be used on all Winnipeg Transit buses in the City of Winnipeg, once registration has occurred and the pass is picked-up. Students can use their U-Pass to ride Winnipeg Transit buses from September to April. No extra fares would be charged during that time.
9. What are the benefits of the U-Pass program?
The U-Pass is cost-effective and sustainable. It costs less than half the price of a post-secondary bus pass, invests in Winnipeg Transit, cuts down on traffic congestion in Winnipeg, provides parking cost relief, and cuts carbon emissions.
10. How and where can students get a U-Pass?
Full-time Students may obtain their pass from the UWSA Info Booth in Centennial Hall from August 8, 2016 onward.
11. Can part-time students access a U-Pass?
At this time the U-Pass is only available to full-time students. Part-time students are still eligible to obtain a student bus pass at a discounted rate similar to previous years.
For further information please visit: http://theuwsa.ca/u-pass/
Questions and comments: u-pass@theuwsa.ca
