U-Pass FAQs

How do I get my U-Pass?
Where and when can I pick up my U-Pass?
Who is eligible to receive the U-Pass?
How much does the U-Pass cost?
How is the U-Pass rate determined?
Why does Mount Royal have a U-Pass program?
Who can opt-out of the U-Pass?
What constitutes proof of my eligibility to opt-out of the U-Pass program?
How do I opt-out of the U-Pass program?
How long is the U-Pass effective?
Is the U-Pass valid only to travel to and from Mount Royal?
The U-Pass would be more useful to me if transit service hours were extended. What are the chances of this happening?
I do not intend to ever use my U-Pass. I don’t see any benefit to this program.
Can I transfer my U-Pass to another person?
How will the Calgary Transit authorities know who has a U-pass and who doesn’t?
What if I lose my ID card with my U-Pass sticker on it?
I take my car to school every day. I already pay for parking. Why do I have to pay for the U-Pass too?

More questions? Contact Parking and Transportation Services at parking@mtroyal.ca or 403.440.6914.

How do I get my U-Pass?

All you need to pick up your U-Pass is your Campus Card. It is best if you have paid your fees. If you are not in the system, you need to show proof that you were charged the U-Pass fee. You can do this by printing off your 'account summary by term' for the following semester, showing you were charged a U-Pass fee, which you can get off your myMRU.ca account after you are registered.

Where and when can I pick up my U-Pass?

The Fall 2011 U-Pass will be available August 2011 at the Parking Office, EA1016.

The Winter 2012 U-Pass will be available Dec. 5, 2011 at the Parking Office, EA1016.

Make sure to pick up your stickers before each semester starts because riding the bus without valid payment can result in at least a $250 fine.

Who is eligible to receive the U-Pass?

All full-time credit students (those taking 9 or more credits each semester through Mount Royal only) during the Fall and/or Winter semesters are eligible for the U-Pass.
This is a mandatory program, so all students who are taking 9 or more Mount Royal credits each semester will be assessed this fee.

Students enrolled in full-time certificate programs offered by Continuing Education, such as the Massage Therapy Certificate and Personal Fitness Trainer Certificate, are not eligible for the U-Pass because those programs are non-credit programs.

How much does the U-Pass cost?

$110 per semester.

How is the U-Pass rate determined?

Calgary Transit determines the U-pass rate based on the current ridership levels. Current ridership levels are determined based on a variety of research studies and surveys. This ridership is multiplied by the cost of a current monthly bus pass rate and then divided by the total number of participants in the program.

Why does Mount Royal have a U-Pass program?

For the last several years, the Students’ Association has been approached by individual student groups asking for the implementation of a U-Pass here at Mount Royal. These requests reached a peak around the time that the U-Pass was instituted at other Calgary institutions – namely University of Calgary and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology – and when the City of Calgary cancelled the post-secondary bus pass a couple of years ago.

Students’ issues included: cheaper transportation to and from school, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions because more people will be taking public transportation.

The Students’ Association decided in Jan. 2005 to ask students the question of whether they wanted a mandatory universal transit pass. A referendum (the results of which are binding upon the Students’ Association) was held in March 2005, with students voting in favour of implementing the mandatory U-Pass program at Mount Royal. Another referendum was held in March 2006, and once again, students voted in favour of the U-pass program in March 2007.

Who can opt-out of the U-Pass?

The U-Pass is a mandatory fee, passed by students through a referendum in March 2005, 2006 and again in March 2007. However, there are seven groups of students who may opt-out of the U-pass and receive a full refund if valid proof is provided:

Those students who are physically disabled and who take the Handi-Bus or Access Calgary instead
Those students who are blind and receive a CNIB bus pass
Those students who are taking a directed field studies course which requires them to move from Calgary to participate in this program
Those who are studying abroad in an international exchange program
Senior citizens who have purchased a senior citizens' bus pass
Those who are enrolled in the Bridge to Canadian Nursing program and attend class outside of the city.
Those who work for Calgary Transit and get to ride transit for free as part of their Collective Bargaining Agreement.

If you do not meet the requirements of any of these categories, you cannot opt-out of the U-Pass program. If you wish to discuss this with anyone, please contact Parking and Transportation Services.

What constitutes proof of my eligibility to opt-out of the U-Pass program?

Opt-out group	Proof of eligibility
1. Students who are physically disabled and who take the Handi-Bus or Access Calgary instead.	Must demonstrate use of Handi-Bus transit or Access Calgary systems.
2. Students who are blind and receive a CNIB bus pass.	CNIB-issued identification card which notes access to the public transit system.
3. Students who are taking a directed field studies course which requires them to move from Calgary to participate in this program.	Must demonstrate residency outside Calgary and proof of enrollment in the Directed Field Studies course in the current semester.
4. Students who are studying abroad in an international exchange program.	Proof will be provided by the Coordinator of International Projects, International Education.
5. Senior citizens who have purchased a senior citizens’ transit pass.	Senior citizens’ transit pass issued by Calgary Transit.
6. Students who are enrolled in the Bridge to Canadian Nursing Program and attend class outside of the city.	Proof will be provided by the BCN Advisor, BCN Edmonton.
7. Students who are currently employees of Calgary Transit and as part of their Collective Bargaining Agreement, can ride transit for free.	Current proof of employment at Calgary Transit.

How do I opt-out of the U-Pass program?

Only students who belong to one of the 7 eligible groups may apply to opt-out of the program. Students who wish to opt-out of the program and receive a refund of their U-Pass fee must complete a form available at Parking and Transportation Services or online. Photocopies of students’ proof of opt-out eligibility will be made, with the original documentation returned to the student.

The deadlines for opting-out of this program are:

Sept. 23, 2011 – to opt-out of the Fall 2011 U-Pass
Jan. 20, 2012 – to opt-out of the Winter 2012 U-Pass

How long is the U-Pass effective?

The U-Pass program allows students to take transit in the fall and winter semesters only. The U-Pass does not cover the spring and summer semesters.

The fall semester U-pass is effective from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31.
- Students must be taking 9 or more credits at Mount Royal in the fall semester to be eligible for the fall pass.
The winter semester U-Pass is effective from Jan. 1 to April 30.
- Students must be taking 9 or more credits at Mount Royal in the winter semester to be eligible for the winter pass.

Please note that it is very important to pick up your U-Pass sticker prior to Sept. 1 in the fall semester and prior to Jan. 1 in the winter semester. Riding the bus without valid proof of payment can result in at least a $250 fine.

Is the U-Pass valid only to travel to and from Mount Royal?

No. The U-pass is valid anytime, anywhere the Calgary Transit system (buses or C-Train) operates. One of the many benefits of the pass is that it can be used for all your activities – not just traveling to and from Mount Royal.

The U-Pass would be more useful to me if transit service hours were extended. What are the chances of this happening?

Mount Royal and Calgary Transit have been working together in an effort to have extended transit hours and additional service options to the Mount Royal campus.

For more information on MRU transit service and route changes, visit C-Choices – Transit or Calgary Transit.

I do not intend to ever use my U-Pass. I don’t see any benefit to this program.

Here are some of the benefits of participating in the universal transit pass system.

For students	For the transit system
Creates a cheaper travel option, by potentially reducing travel costs to about $27 per month U-Pass revenues will pay for improved transit services Makes it easier for occasional users (e.g., students in residence) to run errands or explore the area Offers a safe and reliable travel option for those who consume alcohol	Ridership grows on poor-performing evening and mid-day routes Ridership gains help maximize the use of buses Fewer complaints from public about empty buses Transit unions pleased by additional work Politicians and public see a more important role for transit Students more likely to use transit after they graduate.
For Mount Royal	For Calgary
Reduces pressures on parking facilities Enables use of land for buildings or green space, rather than parking	Supports overall objective to reduce auto travel and air pollution on campus Lower traffic volumes and air emissions Improved transit services benefit other (non-student) users

Can I transfer my U-Pass to another person?

No. The pass is strictly non-transferrable. Any and all cards believed to be fraudulently used or altered will be immediately confiscated by Transit authorities. Transit authorities may decide to levy a fine against anyone who is believed to have used the U-Pass inappropriately. In addition, Calgary Transit will turn over any misused of altered U-Passes to Mount Royal, who may choose to take further disciplinary action.

How will the Calgary Transit authorities know who has a U-pass and who doesn’t?

It is important to know that Calgary Transit security will frequently be asking transit users to show their U-Passes (similar to showing tickets or passes on the C-Train) and checking them closely to ensure the pictures and stickers are correct.

What if I lose my ID card with my U-Pass sticker on it?

Unfortunately, lost U-Pass stickers will cost the full price to replace. Damaged stickers, however, will be replaced free of charge with the return of the damaged sticker.

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I take my car to school every day. I already pay for parking. Why do I have to pay for the U-Pass too?

Students voted for a mandatory U-Pass program in 2005, 2006, and 2007 through a referendum. All of these referenda followed democratic processes, allowing all students an opportunity to vote on the program. 67% voted in favour of this mandatory program in 2005, 59% in favour in 2006 and 65% in favour in 2007.