OC Transpo offers summer U-Pass to college and university students

_ (Press release) _ This summer, OC Transpo will offer a summer U-Pass to eligible college and university students for the first time. This expansion of the existing U-Pass program demonstrates the City’s continued efforts to offer affordable, environmentally sustainable transit use for college and university students.

“The City is proud to offer college and university students a new fare product to make transit more affordable and convenient for them throughout the summer months,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “The U-Pass program continues to provide college and university students with a more financially viable transit solution, and promote environmental sustainability through the promotion of public transit usage.”

The new summer U-Pass program has obtained the necessary support through six successful student referendums at the participating institutions, and will become a fare product from May 1 to August 31 for full-time students attending school during the summer semester at Algonquin College, Carleton University, University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University. The summer U-Pass will provide unlimited access to all OC Transpo and STO services.

“The summer U-Pass is a great new initiative for an already successful program, offering important savings and a convenient, environmentally sustainable way for full-time college and university students to travel,” said Councillor Stephen Blais, Chair of the Transit Commission. “OC Transpo continues to be responsive to the growing needs of the Ottawa community with safe, reliable and accessible transit services."

The 2016 summer U-Pass will cost $192.70, the same as the two preceding school terms (fall/winter). The summer U-Pass works the same as those used in the fall/winter terms; however, there are two distinguishing elements:

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The summer U-Pass will be a different colour than U-Passes issued in the preceding Fall/Winter semesters. This will make visual verification easier for operators and fare enforcement; and

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As part of the O-Train Confederation Line fare gate project, OC Transpo will be piloting the U-Passes for University of Ottawa students on a smartcard that will be valid on both OC Transpo and STO buses. This pilot will collect valuable information that will be used to develop the U-Pass program so it can be used across the complete bus and rail system.

The City of Ottawa U-Pass Program is one of the largest and most successful in Canada. It is anticipated that approximately 17,000 college and university students will use a summer U-Pass in 2016. On-campus, U-Pass administrators are responsible for coordinating U-Pass distribution. Students are encouraged to check their institution’s website for more details.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-9656 ). You can also connect with us through Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .