WHAT IS UPASS?
The Universal Transit Pass (UPass) gives students enrolled at the University of
Lethbridge unlimited access to local transit during each term they are
registered for classes. It is an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and
safe way to navigate Lethbridge.
UPass was implemented in Fall 2018 for all undergraduate students taking one or
more courses. If you are enrolled in at least one credit course per term at our
Lethbridge Campus, you will be assessed the UPASS Fee.
I’M A GRADUATE STUDENT. CAN I GET UPASS?
Yes, uLethbridge graduate students have had UPass since 2007
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The UPass fee is assessed each term and the cost is equivalent to a one-month
Lethbridge Transit adult pass. Currently, this is $77.00 plus a $5.00
administration fee. The total cost of a four-month term UPass is $82.00. The
charge will appear on your student account on the Bridge.
* Note: A Lethbridge Transit post-secondary term (four-month) pass is
currently priced at $289.00, reducing the cost of a pass by $207.00 each term!
WHEN WILL MY UPASS START WORKING?
Fall Semester – August 31, 2021 - Opt out DEADLINE Friday, September 24, 2021
Spring Session - January 1, 2022 - Opt-out DEADLINE Friday, January 21, 2022
Summer Session – May 1, 2021
IS THE UPASS VALID IN THE SUMMER?
Yes! The UPASS fee is available to students registered in summer sessions.
HOW DO I GET A UPASS CARD?
The UPASS card is actually your U of L student ID card. If you don’t have your
student ID card yet, you will need to fill out the following online form:
http://go.uleth.ca/RequestIDCard. Once you have submitted the request, you will
receive an email when the card is available to be picked up. All cards are
picked up in Anderson Hall in Room TH218.
New uLethbridge student
If you are a new uLethbridge student, you can complete the form and upload your
photo Or you can contact the IT Solution Centre at 403-329-2490.
uLethbridge student living in residence
If you are a new uLethbridge student who will be living on campus, Housing
Services will communicate with you about how you can get UPASS, as the process
is slightly different. You will receive your new UPass card during Move-in Day.
HOW DO I ACTIVATE MY CARD?
Your UPASS card becomes active for this semester when you use it for the first
time on the bus, it should beep 3 times. That applies this year’s information
to the UPASS card. You may receive a message that says “insufficient funds”
but your card should work the next day. The Lethbridge Transit bus drivers are
allowing students on the bus for the first 3 weeks regardless of what their
pass indicates so it can accommodate this enabling. If a card does not
activate automatically, you may go to the IT Solutions Centre in Anderson Hall
(TH218), to get it manually activated.
I HAVE LOST MY STUDENT ID CARD. WHAT CAN I DO?
If you are a continuing student who has lost their student ID card, please
complete this form there will be a $10 or $15 replacement fee.
I AM A STUDENT WHO WILL BE LIVING IN RESIDENCE. HOW DO I GET UPASS?
You will receive your UPass student ID card during Move-in Day. For more
information, contact the Housing office at 403-329-2584 or housing@uleth.ca. If
you are a new uLethbridge student, you can upload a current photo for your
UPass student ID card here.
IS THE UPASS VALID ONLY FOR TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE UNIVERSITY?
No, UPass is valid anywhere and anytime Lethbridge Transit system operates.
Visit their website to learn more, or map your route.
CAN I OPT OUT OF UPASS?
There is a strict criterion for eligibility to opt out. When classes were
primarily online due to COVID-19, the University made an exception to the
criterion and allowed all students to opt out. Now that classes will be
returning in-person for the fall semester, UPASS will become a mandatory fee
and the original opt out terms will be in effect.
The following students will be able to opt out of UPASS:
- Students living in residence on campus
- Students enrolled in online courses and Calgary Campus students
- Students who live outside of Lethbridge but within an 80km radius
- Students registered as a CNIB or Para-transit student
- Some Co-op and Practicum students
If none of those circumstances apply to you than you will NOT be eligible to
opt out.
The opt-out deadline for UPass for the fall and spring terms are the same
as those for the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU) Health &
Dental plan.
**Opt-out deadline for Fall 2021 is September 24, 2021.**
**Opt-out deadline for Spring 2022 is January 21, 2022.**
WHY IS EVERYONE ASSESSED THIS FEE?
In March 2018 the University of Lethbridge Student Union (ULSU) held a
referendum on implementing UPass for undergraduate students on the Lethbridge
campus.
Of the undergraduate students who voted, 65.17% agreed to implement UPass.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF UPASS?
- Parking is not affordable for all students; UPass provides an inexpensive
alternative
- The bus stop is located in a central campus location; students do not need to
walk far to access the buildings and vice versa
- It creates another travel option for students who drive, in the event of car
trouble or inclement weather
- Revenues to the City and increased transit ridership will potentially
contribute to improved transit services
- It’s easier for occasional users to run errands and explore the city
WHEN AND HOW DO I OPT OUT?
Opt-out periods will run simultaneously to those of the University of
Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU) Health & Dental plan.
To determine if you are eligible to opt out please see the information listed
above in this document.
Opt-out deadline for Fall 2021 is September 24, 2021.
Opt-out deadline for Spring 2022 is January 21, 2022.
Since student circumstances may change from term to term, students who are
eligible to opt out of UPass will need to do so each term.
You can opt out of UPass, if eligible, by logging into the Bridge and
completing the opt-out request form during the opt-out period. Stay tuned for
more details.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS THE OPT-OUT DEADLINE?
Opt-out deadlines are firm and not open to extension. If you miss the opt out
deadline, you will be charged $82.00 for that term.
I HAVE A UPASS, AM I STILL ELIGIBLE FOR AN ON-CAMPUS PARKING PASS?
Yes! Your parking pass eligibility is not affected by whether or not you have
UPass.
I AM A CALGARY CAMPUS STUDENT, AM I ELIGIBLE FOR UPASS?
Not at this time; however, if you are Calgary Campus student, connect with your
ULSU representative to discuss. The ULSU is committed to exploring this option
if there is enough interest on the Calgary Campus.
Contact the ULSU for further support or information specific to your
circumstances. You can reach the ULSU at 403-329-2222, su.manager@uleth.ca or
in person at SU180.
HOW DO I PAY FOR UPASS?
The $82.00 fee will be applied to your student account. You can pay in person
at the Cash Office (AH144) or view your payment options online at:
http://ulethbridge.ca/financial-services/payment-methods.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM ELIGIBLE FOR UPASS?
You can check your fees to confirm the fee has been charged at
http://ulethbridge.ca/financial-services/payment-methods. If you are eligible
to opt out, the fee will be credited to your account when complete.
IF I OPTED OUT AFTER ALREADY PAYING MY ENROLLMENT FEES, CAN I GET A REFUND
FOR UPASS?
Yes, you will just need to contact the cash office and they can arrange for a
credit on your student account, or they can issue you a cheque. You can reach
the cash office at cash.office@uleth.ca or 403-329-2469.
WILL MY STUDENT LOAN COVER MY UPASS?
Yes, provincial student loans will cover the costs of your tuition and fees.
IS UPASS TRANSFERABLE?
No, UPass is non-transferable. UPass is embedded in your student photo ID card.
You should not share your student ID card as it is linked to significant
personal information.
I AM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ON THE LETHBRIDGE CAMPUS, AM I ELIGBILE FOR
UPASS?
Yes! International students registered in courses required for their degree
will be assessed the $82.00/term fee just like other undergraduate students.
Students should contact the ULSU at 403-329-2222, su.manager@uleth.ca, or visit
the website ulsu.ca.
