BC Transit UMO U-Pass

The Opt-In Period is now closed.

If you’re a full-time, undergraduate or graduate student studying on campus, the U-Pass gives you unlimited access to Victoria’s transit system. The service includes buses and the accessible handyDART service.

The U-Pass program has been running on campus since August 2011 when RRUSA held a referendum that passed with 83% of students voting in favour of the program. Regionally, the program has been operating since 1999 at the University of Victoria and Camosun College.

In August 2023, Graduate students participated in a referendum to join RRUSA which gives them access to BC Transit UPass. The referendum passed and the university has adapted the results to begin billing graduate students. Fees are listed on the Royal Roads website:

This program is provided through a partnership between RRUSA, Royal Roads University, and BC Transit.

Opt-in Periods:

  • RRUSA members may opt-in to the U-Pass for four-month periods: September to December, January to April, or May to August.
  • Opt-in forms will be available on RRUSA’s website one month before the start of each opt-in period.
  • Opt-in forms will close after 90 days.

Fees:

  • The U-Pass fee for each four-month period is $85 ($22.25/month).
  • You are required to opt in for all four months of the period.
  • The U-Pass fee is non-refundable once the opt-in request is submitted.

Processing Time:

  • Opt-in requests will be processed in 3-5 business days.
  • Students will be notified by email once their U-Pass has been processed.

Questions?

New for September 2023 – BC Transit UMO

Meet UMO, your travel companion.

Umo allows you to select the best method for your lifestyle and travel habits.

It’s your choice how you use Umo – mobile app or reloadable card.

Every rider must carry their own payment method and may choose between:

  1. Downloading the Umo Mobility app, or
  2. Picking up a reloadable card for free from a BC Transit vendor

Then, find the BC Transit UMO code on your RRU MyAdmin Account, and enter it into the UMO App.

When you are ready to travel, get your app or card ready prior to stepping on the bus and look for the new onboard validator near the driver. Scan the app’s QR code or tap your Umo card at the validator and look for the validator’s confirmation message. You’ll know your fare was accepted when you see and hear the validation check mark and audible signal.

How it works

The U-Pass is mandatory for RRUSA members in on-campus programs and optional for members in blended/online programs.

On-Campus Programs:

If you’re in an eligible on-campus program, you’ll be signed up automatically. You’ll pay a mandatory annual fee based on the number of months of classes you have on campus in your program. The total cost is listed in your program’s payment schedule.

Your U-Pass is active for every month that you’re enrolled in regularly scheduled on-campus classes or for every semester you’ve self-enrolled or opted-in. For example, if your classes end on August 4, your pass will remain valid until August 31. The expiry date for your U-Pass shows on your UMO account.

If you’re eligible for the pass, a code will be added to your RRU Account. You can then use this code in the UMO app or on the website. You can use it immediately on transit.

Blended/Online Programs:

As a blended/online student, you can self-enroll into the U-Pass program like you can for the Health & Dental Benefits program. To self-enroll, use the Royal Roads University opt-in form. If you’re eligible for the pass, a code will be added to your RRU Account. You can then use this code in the UMO app or on the website. You can use it immediately on transit.

Your U-Pass is active for every semester you’ve self-enrolled or opted-in. The expiry date for your U-Pass is shown in the UMO App.

Transferability

Your U-Pass is not transferable to another person. Transit drivers may confiscate passes that appear to be misused.

Email RRUSA if you have questions about the U-Pass program and email bc transit if you have issues with your UMO Account.

Cost savings

You’ll be charged $21.25 for each month that your U-Pass is valid. This reduced fee offers significant cost savings for unlimited transit use.

Without the U-Pass, a single-use cash fare is $2.50 and a monthly university student pass is $85.00. Even if you only make five round-trips by bus each month, your U-Pass will have paid for itself.

If you begin an on-campus undergraduate program partway through, the University will charge a pro-rated amount for the pass for the remaining months of the program.

Benefits

U-Pass offers affordable, safe and reliable transportation. Passes are prepaid and convenient.

You can study or relax on the way to school. You can use your bus pass to run errands and travel on evenings and weekends. Bus service runs late on weekends, and it’s a safe option if you’ve had something to drink.

U-Pass saves you money on travel costs, including gas, insurance, maintenance and parking. You can even claim a tax credit on your income tax return.

Transit provides rainy day and long trip transportation for cyclists. Buses are equipped with racks that can carry two bikes.

Exemptions

The reduced cost of the U-Pass is possible because of the bulk purchasing power of the Royal Roads University Student Association and other student unions in the Victoria Regional Transit region.

For this reason, there are only a few situations where you can get an exemption:

  1. You can’t use conventional public transit or handyDART because of a disability you have verified with Royal Roads;
  2. You can show us that you have a BC Bus Pass issued by the Government of BC;
  3. You can show us that you are also a University of Victoria or Camosun College student and already have a U-Pass; or
  4. You can show us that you currently reside outside the Victoria Regional Transit region and you are either a part-time student or all your courses are online.

If you qualify, submit an exemption (opt-out) request during the exemption request period:

Exemptions granted are valid for up to one academic year (i.e. September 1 to August 31).

Concerns

If you are a U-Pass holder and have any complaints or questions regarding the U-Pass or BC Transit, please email contact@rrusa.ca.

Make Transit Work Coalition

RRUSA is a member of the Make Transit Work Coalition along with UVSS, CCSS, UGSS, and Unifor Local 333. The Coalition is then represented by one member in the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC). The purpose of the Coalition is to represent the needs to students who are U-Pass holders and bring any complaints to VRTC.

Concerns from RRUSA members are shared with the Coalition and then to the VRTC to ensure students are represented in their interests.