2011 - 2012 U-Pass

The current U-Pass is valid between September 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012.

It is a partnership with the City of Ottawa, Carleton University, the University of Ottawa and Carleton University Students' Association, Carleton University Graduate Students' Associations, the Graduate Students' Association of the University of Ottawa and the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa.

With the U-Pass, students at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa have the freedom of getting around without worrying about exact fare, buying bus tickets or their next monthly pass. NOTE: Discounted annual, semester and monthly passes are still available for college and high school students.

• For full-time students (including graduate students) at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa only
• Valid as full fare on OC Transpo regular, express and rural express routes, and the O-Train.
• Valid on Para Transpo, although rural areas require a zone top-up.
• Valid on STO service with a top-up on express and interzone routes. If you board an STO route outside Gatineau's downtown core before 9 a.m., you must also have an STO - OC Transpo Rider card (smart card). 
• U-Pass cost is included in your incidental student fees - $290 for the fall and winter semesters, or $145 for one semester.

NOTE: Students who reside in the STO service area (Gatineau, Cantley, Chelsea) are exempt from participating in the U-Pass program. Please contact your student association to ensure you do not get charged for the U-Pass.

uOttawa FAQ

• What is the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) and how much does it cost?
• Is the U-Pass available for the 2011-2012 school year?
• Why does the University of Ottawa have a U-Pass?
• Who is entitled to a U-Pass?
• How does the U-Pass benefit students?
• Where and when can I get my Universal Transit Pass?
• I do not want to participate in the U-Pass program. What should I do?
• Are there some situations where certain students will be exempt from the U-Pass program?
• Are part-time students eligible for the U-Pass program?
• Do I have to pay the U-Pass fee if I live outside Ottawa and drive to campus, or if I take a bus that begins its route outside Ottawa and it is not an OC Transpo bus or STO Bus?
• Is my U-Pass valid on Para Transpo?
• Will I be able to claim the federal tax credit for public transportation?

What is the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) and how much does it cost?

Last year, student associations at both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa worked with OC Transpo to develop a Universal Transit Pass for full-time students at both universities.  The result of the discussions and the subsequent student referenda is the U-Pass: A bus pass offered through Carleton University and the University of Ottawa at a discounted rate. The pass will cost $290 for the eight-month school year and is a mandatory cost for most full-time students.  The pass is valid on all OC Transpo vehicles providing regular, express, rural express or Para Transpo services, and the O-Train. Only Para Transpo service to rural zones requires a supplemental fare.

Is the U-Pass available for the 2011-2012 school year?

Yes. The 2011-2012 U-Pass is effective from September 1, 2011 - April 30, 2012.

Why does the University of Ottawa have a U-Pass?

In February and March 2010, the University of Ottawa's Student Federation and Graduate Student Association sponsored referenda during their annual elections asking students if they would support paying $290 per academic year ($145 per term) for the U-Pass.  In the elections, the majority of students voted for the Pass.

Who is entitled to a U-Pass?

The U-Pass is now a mandatory program for most full-time students with a small number of exceptions.

How does the U-Pass benefit students?

The U-Pass benefits students because it offers a significant discount on transit services in Ottawa. Normally, students who ride OC Transpo that buy regular monthly (student) bus passes for a school year, or eight months, pay $586, or if they buy two regular semester passes they pay $500. The U-Pass is $290 for the eight-month school year (Sept. 1 through April 30) . This is a savings of $210 compared to semester passes, and $296 compared to monthly passes.

The U-Pass also helps reduce road congestion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and results in a more sustainable community. For students that frequently drive or travel by another mode, the U-Pass provides an alternative mode of travel if your vehicle breaks down. Students that drive could also use one of the many free Park and Ride lots, conveniently located throughout Ottawa. Finally, students that cycle could travel on OC Transpo by boarding an OC Transpo bus equipped with a bike rack, or the O-Train, and this can help reduce your travel time.

Where and when can I get my Universal Transit Pass?

For students enrolled in full-time courses in the fall term, distribution of the U-Pass will be communicated to students by the University of Ottawa and Student Federation.

I do not want to participate in the U-Pass program. What should I do?

Based on the student referenda, the U-Pass is a mandatory program and all full-time students must participate.  There are a few exceptions.

Are there some situations where certain students will be exempt from the U-Pass program?

The following groups of students can seek adjustments for the U-Pass:

• A student that is registered with the Canadian Institute for the Blind;
• A student that holds a valid U-Pass issued by another post-secondary educational institution located within the City of Ottawa.
• A student that, according to the Educational Institution's records, is studying outside Canada for more than 60 days during the semester for which the U-Pass is intended to be valid;
• A student that is attending the University of Ottawa at a campus located outside the City of Ottawa according to the University of Ottawa's records;
• Students who reside in the STO service area (Gatineau, Cantley, Chelsea) are exempt from participating in the U-Pass program. Please contact your student association to ensure you do not get charged for the U-Pass.

NOTE: University of Ottawa Students who want to discuss exemptions must contact the Student Federation by phone at 613-562-5966 or by e-mail at .

Are part-time students eligible for the U-Pass program?

No. Only students with full-time status are eligible for the U-Pass program.

Do I have to pay the U-Pass fee if I live outside Ottawa and drive to campus, or if I take a bus that begins its route outside Ottawa and it is not an OC Transpo bus or STO Bus?

Full-time students that reside in Ontario and outside the City of Ottawa have to pay the mandatory U-Pass fee of $290, including those students that drive their car. Students that choose to ride a bus that begins its route outside the City of Ottawa (for example Route 530 in Rockland) have to pay the mandatory U-Pass fee, and in addition, if they choose to ride a bus route that begins its route outside the City of Ottawa they will have to pay the appropriate fare to ride that bus. Students living outside the City of Ottawa can use one of the many free Park and Ride lots conveniently located throughout the City of Ottawa.

Is my U-Pass valid on Para Transpo?

The U-Pass is valid on Para Transpo. Para Transpo service to rural zones requires a supplemental fare.

Will I be able to claim the federal tax credit for public transportation?

Yes.  You will be able to claim $145 in each of the two tax years. You can download a receipt to support your U-Pass transit pass taxable deduction via your uoZone student account. If you have any questions about your U-Pass receipt, please contact the Student Federation by phone at 613-562-5966 or by e-mail at  .

Carleton University FAQ

• What is the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) and how much does it cost?
• Is the U-Pass available for the 2011-2012 school year?
• Why does Carleton University have a U-Pass?
• Who is entitled to a U-Pass?
• How does the U-Pass benefit students?
• Where and when can I get my Universal Transit Pass?
• I do not want to participate in the U-Pass program. What should I do?
• Are there some situations where certain students will be exempt from the U-Pass program?
• Are part-time students eligible for the U-Pass program?
• Do I have to pay the U-Pass fee if I live outside Ottawa and drive to campus, or if I take a bus that begins its route outside Ottawa and it is not an OC Transpo bus or STO Bus?
• Is my U-Pass valid on Para Transpo?
• Will I be able to claim the federal tax credit for public transportation?

What is the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) and how much does it cost?

In 2009, student associations at both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa jointly negotiated with the City of Ottawa to implement a Universal Transit Pass for full-time students at both universities.  The result of the negotiations and the subsequent student referenda is the U-Pass: A bus pass offered through Carleton University at a discounted rate. The pass will cost $290 for the eight-month school year and is a mandatory cost for all full-time students.  The pass is valid on all OC Transpo vehicles providing regular, express, rural express or Para Transpo services, and the O-Train. Only Para Transpo service to rural zones requires a supplemental fare.

Is the U-Pass available for the 2011-2012 school year?

Yes. The 2011-2012 U-Pass is effective from September 1, 2011 until April 30, 2012.

Why does Carleton University have a U-Pass?

In February and March 2010, the Carleton University Students' Association and Carleton's Graduate Student Association sponsored referenda during their annual elections asking students if they would support paying $290 per academic year ($145 per term) for the U-Pass.  In both elections, just over 70 per cent of students voted for the U-Pass.  At the request of CUSA, GSA and OC Transpo, Carleton has worked to implement the U-Pass so it can be distributed to students for the 2010 fall term.

Who is entitled to a U-Pass?

The U-Pass is now a mandatory program for all full-time students with a small number of exceptions (see below). At Carleton, a full-time undergraduate student is defined as a person taking at least 1.5 credits per term, while a graduate student's eligibility is defined by their full-time status in a program.

How does the U-Pass benefit students?

The U-Pass benefits students because it offers a significant discount on transit services in Ottawa. Normally, students who ride OC Transpo that buy regular monthly (student) bus passes for a school year, or eight months, pay $586, or if they buy two regular semester passes they pay $500. The U-Pass is $290 for the eight-month school year (Sept. 1 through April 30) . This is a savings of $210 compared to semester passes, and $296 compared to monthly passes.

The U-Pass also helps reduce road congestion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and results in a more sustainable community. For students that frequently drive or travel by another mode, the U-Pass provides an alternative mode of travel if your vehicle breaks down. Students that drive could also use one of the many free Park and Ride lots, conveniently located throughout Ottawa. Finally, students that cycle could travel on OC Transpo by boarding an OC Transpo bus equipped with a bike rack, or the O-Train, and this can help reduce your travel time.

Where and when can I get my Universal Transit Pass?

For students enrolled in full-time courses in the fall term, distribution of the U-Pass will be communicated to students by Carleton University and the Students' Association.

I do not want to participate in the U-Pass program. What should I do?

Based on the CUSA and GSA referenda, the U-Pass is a mandatory program and all full-time students must participate.  There are a few exceptions (see below).

Are there some situations that allow an adjustment for the U-Pass (or an exemption from the program) while I am a full-time student?

The following groups of students can seek adjustments for the U-Pass:

• Students who have designation with the Canadian Institute for the Blind. (They already receive free transit passes).
• Students who are going on an international exchange that is formally sanctioned by Carleton University for the terms they are out of the country. They must be away for 60 days or more.
• Students who reside in the STO service area (Gatineau, Cantley, Chelsea) are exempt from participating in the U-Pass program. (Driver's licence or health card and a utilities or phone bill will be required for proof of residence). Please contact your student association to ensure you do not get charged for the U-Pass.
• Students who are on an internship or conducting research as a part of their studies outside of Ottawa for a period of 60 days.

Fee adjustments can be obtained by completing an online U-Pass Exemption Application form on Carleton's U-Pass website www.carleton.ca/upass and submitting it to Carleton's Office of Student Affairs . The forms can also be obtained from Campus Card/Info Carleton , The Office of Student Affairs, the Business Office, the CUSA office , and the GSA office. Please allow five business days for processing.

NOTE: Carleton University Students who want to discuss exemptions must contact the Students’ Association by phone at 613-520-7400 or by e-mail at .

Are part-time students eligible for the U-Pass program?

No. Only students with full-time status are eligible for the U-Pass program.

Do I have to pay the U-Pass fee if I live outside Ottawa and drive to campus, or if I take a bus that begins its route outside Ottawa and it is not an OC Transpo bus or STO Bus?

Full-time students that reside in Ontario and outside the City of Ottawa have to pay the mandatory U-Pass fee of $290, including those students that drive their car. Students that choose to ride a bus that begins its route outside the City of Ottawa (for example Route 530 in Rockland) have to pay the mandatory U-Pass fee, and in addition, if they choose to ride a bus route that begins its route outside the City of Ottawa they will have to pay the appropriate fare to ride that bus. Students living outside the City of Ottawa can use one of the many free Park and Ride lots conveniently located throughout the City of Ottawa.

Is my U-Pass valid on Para Transpo?

The U-Pass is valid on Para Transpo. Para Transpo service to rural zones requires a supplemental fare.

Will I be able to claim the federal tax credit for public transportation?

Yes.  You will be able to claim $145 in each of the two tax years.  Any student charged the U-Pass fee will be able to download a receipt from their Carleton Connect account. For the 2011 tax year, receipts will be available on or before February 28, 2012. If you have any questions about your U-Pass receipt, please contact the Students' Association by phone at 613-520-7400 or by e-mail at  

More info

•  U-Pass 2011-2012 brochure (PDF)

Carleton University Students:

If you have a question that is not covered in the FAQ, please visit the Carleton University website at www2.carleton.ca/upass or contact Information Carleton at 613-520-7400; email    or by online chat.

NOTE: Carleton University Students who want to discuss exemptions must contact the Students’ Association by phone at 613-520-7400 or by e-mail at  .

uOttawa Students:

If you have a question that is not covered in the FAQ, please get in touch with your local students’ union:

• Undergraduates: Contact the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa by telephone (613-562-5966) or e-mail (  ), or visit their website at www.sfuo.ca.
• Graduates: Contact the Graduate Students' Association of the University of Ottawa by telephone (613-562-5935), by e-mail (  ), or visit their website at www.gsaed.ca.

NOTE: University of Ottawa Students who want to discuss exemptions must contact the Student Federation by phone at 613-562-5966 or by e-mail at   .