The 2010 winter U-Pass sticker expired on April 30, 2010 and it is no longer be valid for transit.

• The Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) is a transit fare program that provides eligible students unlimited access to regular Edmonton, St. Albert and Strathcona County Transit services for fall (September – December) and winter (January – April) academic terms.
• The Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) program is a three-year agreement with the Students’ Association of MacEwan and University of Alberta (U of A), ETS, St Albert and Strathcona County Transit services.
  
• The U-Pass pilot program commenced in September 2007.

How much does the U-Pass cost? 

• MacEwan students will pay $110 per student, per term, in this first year of the agreement. The U-Pass will be subject to yearly increases of $15. 
• The U‑Pass is assessed with other term fees at registration.

Who gets a U-Pass?

• Only available to full-time post-secondary students at MacEwan City Centre, Centre for the Arts, MacEwan South and Alberta College Campuses. A full-time student is defined by Grant MacEwan College as any student who is enrolled or registered in classes that total or exceed nine credits per semester, or fifteen credits per semester at ACC.

How much does it cost to take transit per term now?

Edmonton Transit 4 month/post secondary pass: $297

Strathcona Transit 4 month/post secondary pass: $320

St. Albert Transit 4 month/post secondary pass: $316

• If they are scheduled for classes that actually take place outside of the U-Pass service range (ex: practicum or placement) for a period of over 8 weeks out of the Fall or Winter terms, they can ask to have the U-Pass fee waived, providing you haven't picked up your sticker, and you apply within the first 2 weeks of classes..  They need to complete an U‑Pass Waiver Form and bring it to an SA office.

Why is the U-Pass mandatory?

• A large participation base is fundamental to the U-Pass concept as costs of transit service are spread through a large population. Allowing opt outs decreases the participation base, raising per student transit costs and raising the U-Pass cost. To ensure that the U-Pass price remains low all full-time students must be part of the program. The U-Pass is available to be claimed as a tax credit under the Federal Transit Tax credit.

May students opt out?

• Students that fall into one of the following categories may opt out:

1. Student has a DATS, SCAT or St. Albert Handibus registration

2. Student has a valid CNIB registration

3. Student is a Co-op/FT student who is scheduled for 8 or more consecutive weeks of classes off campus, and outside of
the U-Pass service area, within a specific term.

• In order for the U-Pass to be cost effective it needs to be a mandatory program. However, the U-Pass is available to be claimed as a tax credit under the Federal Transit Tax credit.

What is the history of the U-Pass? Who decided on a U‑Pass?

• MacEwan students voted 73% in favour of a mandatory U-Pass pilot program in a March 2007 referendum and 78% in favour of the mandatory U-pass program in a March 2010 referendum.
• History: Students approached the Students' Association regarding the U-Pass. ETS and the Students' Association conducted a major survey in the fall of 2005 to determine MacEwan interest. Survey results indicated support for a referendum, and at suggested price ranges. Negotiations began with the Students' Association of MacEwan, U of A Students' Union and the Edmonton, St. Albert and Strathcona County councils.

What are the U-Pass Limitations?

• The U-Pass excludes contracted services provided by ETS, St. Albert Transit and Strathcona County Transit for outlying communities such as service to Morinville, Beaumont, Fort Saskatchewan and Spruce Grove.
• The U-Pass excludes St. Albert Transit Handibus and Strathcona County Transit SCAT disabled adult transit services. ETS will accept U-Pass on DATS.
• The U-Pass excludes charter and special event services.

Why aren't outlying communities include in the U-Pass?

• Spruce Grove and Fort Saskatchewan are municipalities operating their own transit services. These municipalities contract Edmonton Transit (or St. Albert Transit in the case of Morinville) to supply limited service on a specific route. While vehicles used may have the ‘look' of Edmonton Transit they are not ETS services but rather service operated by each respective community.

What if a student loses their pass, or it is stolen?

• A lost or stolen U-Pass can only be replaced at the full cost of the U-Pass, $110 per semester. Students bring their new ID card and $110 to the SAM Centre at City Centre or the SA office at Centre for the Arts, South Campus & Alberta College. MacEwan ID cards need to be repurchased through your campus library at a cost of $10.

Will I still be able to claim the Federal Tax Credit?

• Yes, U-Pass fees are eligible to claim for the Federal Transit Tax credit. However, you will need to keep your registration statements.

How will the U-Pass impact Transit service?

• Edmonton Transit added 600 hours of service per week to accommodate U-Pass ridership. This included 19 additional buses and 3 new bus routes, as well as additional LRT service with the opening of the South Campus LRT station.
• St. Albert service from St. Albert to MacEwan has more than doubled, benefiting from major StAT route changes in downtown Edmonton implemented in 2007.
• Strathcona County Transit increased service to MacEwan by 14.5 service hours per week (24% increase). New trips were added mainly during the midday and evening with overloads added during peak hours. Percentage was calculated based on pre-U-Pass service levels.

What other universities or colleges have U-Pass programs?

• U-Pass programs are common at most post-secondary institutions across North America, with 25 Canadian cities and over 50 institutions currently participating in a U-Pass program. University of Alberta, University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, University of Victoria, and University of Calgary and SAIT have U-Pass programs.

What if a full time MacEwan student is also a part-time student at the University of Alberta, and are being assessed two U‑Pass fees?

• Students should go to the Student Access Centre, Admin Building, to obtain an opt-out form which they would complete and present with their Grant MacEwan ID card (with U-Pass sticker on it).  They will take a photocopy of the student's ID card and then process the U of A U-Pass fee waiver.

Why is the U-Pass program different than the U of A program?

• The U-Pass program is the same at both MacEwan and U of A except that part-time students at U of A voted in favour of the program and were included. The other difference is in price: the U-Pass costs the same at both institutions but the U of A administration is subsidizing the program.

If you have any questions about the U-Pass that are not answered above contact the SA president at 780.497.5472.