U-Pass Package
Get your Bus Pass!
The Universal Bus Pass (U-Pass) provides our members with unlimited bus access in the Victoria Regional Transit area. All graduate students registered in on-campus courses are automatically assessed the $81 U-Pass fee with their tuition. The U-Pass is valid for the entire four months of a given semester (i.e. Sept 1 – Dec 31, Jan 1 – Apr 30, May 1 – Aug 31)
Don’t have the U-Pass on your tuition? Grad students registered in co-op, registered as off-campus, or visiting research students wishing to opt in may do so through the GSS office.
How to Activate Your U-Pass using the UMO App/Card
Victoria Transit uses UMO, an electronic bus fare system. See below for instructions on activating your U-Pass on the UMO mobile app or with a reloadable UMO card. Please note you have to choose either the app OR the card.
UMO app
- Download the UMO Mobility mobile app from the Apple App or Google Play Store
- Create a UMO account. We recommend you use an email address as your username
- Visit MyBusPass (in online tools) to get your unique-to-you UVic benefit code
- Inside the UMO app, select Redeem Benefit from the top menu
- Tap Change Agency and select the Victoria Regional Transit and enter your Benefit Code to link your UPass to your app
Reloadable UMO card
- Pick up a card for free from the GSS front office or a BC Transit UMO vendor
- Visit MyBusPass (in online tools) to get your unique-to-you UVic benefit code
- Visit ca.umopass.com to create an account and register your card
- Once inside, click on the left menu, select Change Agency and select Victoria Regional Transit
- Select My Wallet, Redeem Benefit Code and enter your Benefit Code to link your U-Pass to your card
See UVic’s in-depth guide for activating your UMO account here.
Note: You’ll need to activate your U-Pass every term with that term’s unique-to-you UVic Benefit Code, which will generate automatically if you are registered as an on-campus student, or will be generated upon opting in to the U-Pass package through the GSS.
Troubleshooting
- Want to switch from the app to a card or vice-versa? Pick up a card in our office, and then call BC Transit!
Lost your card? Pick up a new one from the GSS or a BC Transit UMO vendor, then call BC Transit! - Forgot your UMO log in information? Call BC Transit!
- Getting an error message with your Benefit Code? Contact the GSS!
- Call BC Transit: 877-380-8181
- Email the GSS Office: gssoffice@uvic.ca
- Please include your Student Number in all troubleshooting emails to the GSS.
Term Deadlines to Opt In or Opt Out of the U-Pass
- September-December Term: September 22.
- January-April Term: January 22.
- May-August Term: May 22.
Opt-in
Check your term fees to confirm you haven’t been assessed for the U-Pass.
Off-campus/online-only students, co-op students, and visiting research students on special arrangement can opt in to the U-Pass package.
If you would like to opt in, you may do so either by email or in-person in the GSS Office.
The U-Pass package includes the U-Pass, a GSS Fee top-up, and the Athletics and Recreation (ATRS) fee. Opting in to the U-Pass package tops you up to what you would be assessed as a full-time on-campus student.
We are not able to waive the GSS or ATRS fees. The ATRS fee is a UVic-controlled fee that is included with U-Pass opt-ins due to our contract with UVic and BC Transit. (More information on the Athletics and Recreation fee and what it provides can be found here.)
Opt-In Form: Fill out the Opt-In form and submit it by email to gssoffice@uvic.ca, or come by our office to fill it out in person! Once your opt-in is processed, a Benefit Code will be generated for you. Students must submit a new Opt-In form each term as relevant.
Opt-in form
Opting in to the U-Pass in person: If you are coming into our office in person to opt-in, we will ask you to fill out the opt-in form and provide us with the proof of registration status (the proof of registration status can be found on your UVic MyPage). If you are on a special arrangement, you will need to obtain proof of this arrangement as a formal letter from your supervisor here at UVic, and this letter must be brought into the office. We will then ask you to pay the U-Pass opt-in fee by card, cheque or cash.
Opting in to the U-Pass online: Please email your opt-in form and proof of registration status to our front desk at gssoffice@uvic.ca.
If you are emailing in your opt-in form as a co-op or distance student, you must provide proof of registration status as an attachment to the opt-in form (the proof of registration status can be printed directly from your UVic MyPage). If you are on a special arrangement, you will need to obtain proof of this arrangement as a formal letter from your supervisor here at UVic.
Once your opt-in has been received and processed by us, you will receive an email notifying you of the opt-in and providing e-transfer directions. Once we receive payment, we will add you to the U-Pass and contact you to let you know that you can activate your benefit code on your UMO account.
U-Pass Package Opt-In Pricing (as of May 2025)
Registration Type | Off-Campus | Co-Op | Visiting/MOU |
U-Pass | $81.00 | $81.00 | $81.00 |
ATRS | $100.08 | $100.08 | $100.08 |
GSS Fee Top Up | $14.48 | $60.01 | $105.66 |
Total | $195.56 | $241.09 | $286.74 |
Payment Options
- We can accept payment in person in the GSS Office (cash, credit, debit, or cheque), and via e-transfer. Email gssoffice@uvic.ca to receive e-transfer instructions.
Opt-out
Check your term fees to confirm you have been assessed for the U-Pass. If you are not registered for at least one course coded as on-campus, you will not be assessed for the U-Pass, and don’t need to opt out.
If you would like to opt in, you may do so either by email or in-person in the GSS Office.
Eligibility: Graduate students are eligible to opt out of the U-Pass through the GSS if they fit any of the following circumstances and provide the requested confirmation of eligibility (see below).
- Being charged twice due to dual enrolment (e.g. also in undergrad or Camosun) (proof of enrolment attached to application)
- Having a Ministry or employer-provided bus pass (scan or photo of active bus pass attached to application)
- Disability (confirmation required, e.g. a doctor’s note or Centre for Accessible Learning letter)
- Residing outside Victoria Transit service region, BC, or Canada (current utility bill or lease attached; drivers licenses NOT accepted)
- Enrolment in a class that is 2 weeks or less (confirmation required, e.g. enrolment in Weekend MBA program)
- Eligibility for Completion Postponement Fee Adjustment (Graduate Studies letter or email attached; please note CPFA students are still assessed a full term of ancillary fees, which includes the GSS fee and ATRS fee and our office cannot waive these fees)
- Successful Appeal (approved appeal attached)
Please note that these are the only circumstances in which the GSS is able to opt students out of the U-Pass. Not using the bus is not an eligible circumstance. Please see Appeals below for more information.
Opt-Out Form: Fill out the Opt-out form and submit it by email to gssoffice@uvic.ca with required confirmation of eligibility (see ‘Eligibility’ section above) or come by our office to fill it out in person! Once your opt-out is processed, a new line item subtracting the $81 Bus Pass fee will appear on your Tuition Summary. Students must submit an Opt-Out form each term as relevant.
How to opt out: You may opt-out through the GSS office in person or by email to gssoffice@uvic.ca using the U-Pass opt-out form.
Please note that these opt-outs must be submitted on a term-by-term basis, to protect students’ privacy and to limit the amount of personal students’ information the GSS is required to store.
Please note: UVic administers the Athletics fee and we cannot opt students out of it.
Appeals
Graduate students that miss the opt-out deadline may file an appeal. Graduate students that are in a situation that does not match criteria may also request an appeal.
The Appeals Committee assesses the validity of appeals on the basis of two criteria:
- Administrative unfairness; and/or
- Extenuating personal circumstances.
When you fill out the Appeal form, you must include a detailed explanation of your case. Please add supporting documents as necessary to explain extenuating circumstances and/or administrative unfairness that prevented your opt-in/out by the deadline. The GSS encourages you to consult with the Office of the Ombudsperson for support in preparing your appeal. The Ombudsperson is an impartial advocate for fairness at UVic.
Submit your Appeal form and supporting documents by email to the GSS General Office gssoffice@uvic.ca.
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