No. The U-Pass is only available for full-time students. You can only get the U-Pass as a part-time student if you are registered with Access Services. Please consult the OC Transpo or STO website to learn more about the transit services offered. Some students who utilize OC Transpo services could be eligible for the EquiPass program.

We get it, the U-Pass can be expensive and seen as an unnecessary cost for some students. Unfortunately, the program is mandatory for all full-time students, CO-OP work term students and outgoing exchange students. The U-Pass came into effect through successful student referendums and, like many other student benefits, the program was permanently implemented and voted on by previous uOttawa students.   

Although the program is mandatory, there are some exemption criteria. We cannot exempt you from the U-Pass program simply because you walk, cycle, or drive to campus or simply don’t agree with the program. We can only recommend that you make the best use of the program given that it is mandatory and no, there are no methods to appeal this decision unless all students decide to no longer have the program.  

For the U-Pass program to be able to provide significant savings, the program must include a large participant base.  In addition, the U-Pass Program has been reinstated to the same criteria as prior to the restrictions imposed by Covid-19 pandemic. Under the program, opt-outs are limited to those indicated on our website because the U-Pass program is intended to apply on a universal basis to all full-time students. If your professors allow you to follow your course virtually, but your faculty has your course or research activities listed as in-person, you will not be able to be approved for an exemption based on being virtual or partially virtual.  

Unfortunately, the assistance provided to you by your professor or research supervisor does not extend to the U-Pass program. For the list of opt-out eligibility, see the U-Pass opt-out page. 

No, but we recommend you verify your statement of account to check if you were charged the U-Pass fees. Generally, if your faculty has listed ALL your courses as being virtual, you will not be automatically charged the U-Pass fees.    

Note: Students completing a CO-OP work term will automatically be charged the U-Pass fees as they are part of the mandatory U-Pass program. 

If you are a full-time student and have not been charged the U-Pass fees, but you live in the area and still want to have the U-Pass, consult the opt-in criteria as you may be eligible to opt-in.  

Yes, you can still submit your exemption request if you meet one of the exemption criteria. Students who are exempted after the deadline will receive a prorated refund. 

If you happen to register late for your classes or if you are accepted into a class later in the term, your account will be charged the FULL U-Pass amount as soon as you meet the eligibility criteria. As soon as your account is charged, you can get your U-Pass. We highly encourage students to register early to benefit fully from the U-Pass. 

Please bring your U-Pass to the uOttawa Card Service and we will troubleshoot the issue. If possible, we would need to know the date, time and bus/train in which the U-Pass did not work. Our office location and hours of operation can be found at the bottom of the U-Pass home page.

If you’re a full-time incoming exchange student, you should be automatically charged for the U-Pass. If you are not, then you may be eligible to opt-in to the program. If you are only here for one term, you will need to complete an exemption request if you want a refund for the winter term. 

Please note that if you are a sponsored student, the U-Pass fees will be added onto your statement of account and it is your responsibility to pay that fee, as it will not be covered by your sponsor. 

You should not. Please review the information about our U-Pass recharging stations. 

Choosing to drive a personal vehicle, walk or cycle to campus will not qualify you to opt-out of the program. We suggest you consider using Park and Ride services to save on gas and parking costs when travelling to campus and to use your U-Pass as much as you can.   

We get it, you don’t want the U-Pass, and it may be expensive for you. Unfortunately, the program is mandatory, and you cannot be exempted without meeting one of the exemption criteria.  There are no exceptions. 

If you are no longer registered at the University, you are eligible for an exemption of the U-Pass program. Please note that exemptions are not automatically processed based on your withdrawal from the University and you must submit an exemption request to obtain a credit for your U-Pass fees. 

To participate in the U-Pass program, you must be enrolled as a full-time student.  This means that only students who are full-time during the summer term can participate into the summer U-Pass program. For students who are not registered full-time during the summer, consult OC Transpo’s Equipass program.