U-Pass BC: Difference between revisions
Joeyconnick (talk | contribs) Adding short description: "Post-secondary public transit program in British Columbia, Canada" (Shortdesc helper) |
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[[File:UBCupass.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Previous card design prior to the switch to U-Pass BC]] |
[[File:UBCupass.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Previous card design prior to the switch to U-Pass BC]] |
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'''U-Pass BC''' is a |
'''U-Pass BC''' is a public transportation monthly pass for post-secondary students valid throughout [[British Columbia]] and available to all students at participating institutions. |
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The original concept of a regional-wide initiative was expanded province-wide in June 2010, when the provincial government created the U-Pass BC program that offers standardized transit program for all public post-secondary students effective September 2010. |
The original concept of a regional-wide initiative was expanded province-wide in June 2010, when the provincial government created the U-Pass BC program that offers a standardized transit program for all public post-secondary students, effective September 2010. |
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The |
The [[Metro Vancouver]] program is currently available to students attending the [[University of British Columbia]] (UBC), [[Simon Fraser University]] (SFU), [[Capilano University]], [[Langara College]], [[Emily Carr University of Art and Design]], [[Vancouver Community College]] (VCC), [[Douglas College]], [[Kwantlen Polytechnic University]], [[British Columbia Institute of Technology]] (BCIT), [[Nicola Valley Institute of Technology|and Nicola Valley Institute of Technology]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/U-Pass.aspx |title=U-Pass BC Program |publisher=TransLink |work=translink.ca |access-date=January 14, 2017}}</ref> The [[Justice Institute of British Columbia]] has opted not to participate in the program. |
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Pass holders are eligible to use [[HandyDART]] if requirements are met and also for discounted |
Pass holders are eligible to use [[HandyDART]] if requirements are met and also for discounted fares on the [[West Coast Express]]. |
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On June 1, 2015, the U-Pass BC paper fare passes were phased out in |
On June 1, 2015, the U-Pass BC paper fare passes were phased out in favour of the [[Compass Card (TransLink)|Compass Card]] for students at BCIT, Langara, SFU and UBC.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Partridge |first1=Emma |title=Students switching to Compass Cards this month |url=https://www.ubyssey.ca/news/campus-switching-to-compass-cards-this-month645/ |accessdate=30 May 2015 |work=The Ubyssey |date=May 10, 2015}}</ref> Conversion of all U-Passes to Compass began that July 1, when students at Capilano and VCC switched over. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The [[Metro Vancouver]] |
The [[Metro Vancouver]] regional U-Pass program was first implemented in September 2003 by [[TransLink (British Columbia)|TransLink]] with the sponsorship of [[Vancity|Vancity credit union]]. It was first implemented at [[University of British Columbia|UBC]] and [[Simon Fraser University|SFU]] but was further expanded to [[Capilano University]] and [[Langara College]] in 2009. |
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On June 9, 2010, the [[Executive Council of British Columbia| |
On June 9, 2010, the [[Executive Council of British Columbia|British Columbia provincial government]] announced that the U-Pass program would be expanded into a province-wide initiative at a rate of $30 per month.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2009-2013/2010PREM0119-000675.htm |title=U-PASS BC TO SAVE STUDENTS ON TRANSIT FARES |date=2010-06-09 |website=www2.news.gov.bc.ca|access-date=2017-01-15}}</ref> At the same time, it was announced that Vancity would no longer be a sponsor for the program. |
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On September 1, 2011, the U-Pass BC program officially launched at 11 public post-secondary institutions |
On September 1, 2011, the U-Pass BC program officially launched at 11 public post-secondary institutions outside Metro Vancouver. Under the new program, monthly bus passes were issued to each student using dispensers, which—across all participating institutions—issued an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 U-Passes per month. |
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==Fee== |
==Fee== |
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[[File:TransLink-FareMap-20091108.svg|thumb|right|TransLink fare map, as of August 2010]] |
[[File:TransLink-FareMap-20091108.svg|thumb|right|TransLink fare map, as of August 2010]] |
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{{As of|2017||df=|post=,}} the fee for the U-Pass is $41 per month for all students.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/U-Pass/U-Pass-FAQ.aspx |title=U-Pass BC FAQ |website=TransLink.ca |publisher=TransLink |access-date=January 14, 2017}}</ref> The U-Pass allows unlimited travel in all zones on buses, SkyTrain and the SeaBus. This represents a significant savings over the fee for the equivalent three-zone monthly pass,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Monthly-Pass.aspx |title=Monthly Pass |website=TransLink.ca |publisher=TransLink |access-date=January 14, 2017}}</ref> or a one-zone pass with a FastTrax sticker previously required. |
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On April 1, 2013, the U-Pass monthly fee increased to $35 per month. |
On April 1, 2013, the U-Pass monthly fee increased to $35 per month. The U-Pass fee is paid with tuition and student fees, and all students (regardless of whether they take on-campus or distance education courses, or are on a [[Cooperative education|co-op term]] within the Metro Vancouver region) must purchase the pass. In limited circumstances, some students may opt out. |
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U-Passes are non-transferrable and |
U-Passes are non-transferrable, and before the [[Compass Card (TransLink)|Compass Card]] students were required to have their name printed on the back of their paper pass. Fraudulent use may result in criminal charges or a fine. Students are required to carry supplemental identification (a student card) and produce it for inspection, along with the U-Pass, upon request of a transit security officer or a member of the [[Metro Vancouver Transit Police|Transit Police]]. Failure to produce one's student card upon request may result in confiscation of the U-Pass, a fine for not having a valid fare in a Fare Paid Zone, or restriction from receiving a U-Pass for an indefinite period.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://upassbc.translink.ca/Help/Faq |title=Help: Using your U-Pass BC |website=U-Pass BC |publisher=TransLink |access-date=January 14, 2017}}</ref> |
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==Popularity== |
==Popularity== |
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According to the |
According to the SFU U-Pass site, in a referendum held at SFU in March 2005, students voted 83% in favour of continuing the U-Pass program until at least September 2008, and 88% of SFU students currently use a U-Pass. Transit ridership to [[Simon Fraser University|SFU's]] [[Burnaby]] Campus had increased 48% since the launch of the U-Pass program. In addition, one third of SFU students reported that they avoided the need to purchase a vehicle and over 60% reported a reduced reliance on automobiles since the introduction of the Pass. Another referendum held in 2016 resulted in 94% of student voters favoured continuing the U-Pass program.<ref>http://elections.sfss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Election-Report.pdf</ref> |
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According to the SFU U-Pass site, in a referendum held at SFU in March 2005, students voted 83% in favour of continuing the U-Pass program until at least September 2008, and 88% of SFU students currently use a U-Pass. Transit ridership to [[Simon Fraser University|SFU's]] [[Burnaby]] Campus has increased 48% since the launch of the U-Pass program. In addition, one third of SFU students reported that they avoided the need to purchase a vehicle and over 60% reported a reduced reliance on automobiles since the introduction of the Pass. Another referendum held in 2016 resulted in 94% of student voters favoured continuing the U-Pass program.<ref>http://elections.sfss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Election-Report.pdf</ref> |
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==Environmental benefits== |
==Environmental benefits== |
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According to the U-Pass Review Final Report, |
According to the U-Pass Review Final Report, TransLink estimated that by May 2005, regional green house gas emissions had been reduced by {{Convert|3000|MT||abbr=}} as a result of the SFU U-Pass program and {{Convert|8000|MT||abbr=}} as a result of the UBC U-Pass program.<ref name="upassfinalreport">{{cite web |url=https://trek.ubc.ca/files/2010/08/U-PassReview.pdf |title=U-Pass Review Final Report |publisher=UrbanSystems |date=May 4, 2005 |accessdate=January 30, 2012}}</ref> |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Revision as of 23:02, 8 November 2019
U-Pass BC is a public transportation monthly pass for post-secondary students valid throughout British Columbia and available to all students at participating institutions.
The original concept of a regional-wide initiative was expanded province-wide in June 2010, when the provincial government created the U-Pass BC program that offers a standardized transit program for all public post-secondary students, effective September 2010.
The Metro Vancouver program is currently available to students attending the University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University (SFU), Capilano University, Langara College, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver Community College (VCC), Douglas College, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.[1] The Justice Institute of British Columbia has opted not to participate in the program.
Pass holders are eligible to use HandyDART if requirements are met and also for discounted fares on the West Coast Express.
On June 1, 2015, the U-Pass BC paper fare passes were phased out in favour of the Compass Card for students at BCIT, Langara, SFU and UBC.[2] Conversion of all U-Passes to Compass began that July 1, when students at Capilano and VCC switched over.
History
The Metro Vancouver regional U-Pass program was first implemented in September 2003 by TransLink with the sponsorship of Vancity credit union. It was first implemented at UBC and SFU but was further expanded to Capilano University and Langara College in 2009.
On June 9, 2010, the British Columbia provincial government announced that the U-Pass program would be expanded into a province-wide initiative at a rate of $30 per month.[3] At the same time, it was announced that Vancity would no longer be a sponsor for the program.
On September 1, 2011, the U-Pass BC program officially launched at 11 public post-secondary institutions outside Metro Vancouver. Under the new program, monthly bus passes were issued to each student using dispensers, which—across all participating institutions—issued an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 U-Passes per month.
Fee
As of 2017,[update] the fee for the U-Pass is $41 per month for all students.[4] The U-Pass allows unlimited travel in all zones on buses, SkyTrain and the SeaBus. This represents a significant savings over the fee for the equivalent three-zone monthly pass,[5] or a one-zone pass with a FastTrax sticker previously required.
On April 1, 2013, the U-Pass monthly fee increased to $35 per month. The U-Pass fee is paid with tuition and student fees, and all students (regardless of whether they take on-campus or distance education courses, or are on a co-op term within the Metro Vancouver region) must purchase the pass. In limited circumstances, some students may opt out.
U-Passes are non-transferrable, and before the Compass Card students were required to have their name printed on the back of their paper pass. Fraudulent use may result in criminal charges or a fine. Students are required to carry supplemental identification (a student card) and produce it for inspection, along with the U-Pass, upon request of a transit security officer or a member of the Transit Police. Failure to produce one's student card upon request may result in confiscation of the U-Pass, a fine for not having a valid fare in a Fare Paid Zone, or restriction from receiving a U-Pass for an indefinite period.[6]
Popularity
According to the SFU U-Pass site, in a referendum held at SFU in March 2005, students voted 83% in favour of continuing the U-Pass program until at least September 2008, and 88% of SFU students currently use a U-Pass. Transit ridership to SFU's Burnaby Campus had increased 48% since the launch of the U-Pass program. In addition, one third of SFU students reported that they avoided the need to purchase a vehicle and over 60% reported a reduced reliance on automobiles since the introduction of the Pass. Another referendum held in 2016 resulted in 94% of student voters favoured continuing the U-Pass program.[7]
Environmental benefits
According to the U-Pass Review Final Report, TransLink estimated that by May 2005, regional green house gas emissions had been reduced by 3,000 metric tons (3,000 long tons; 3,300 short tons) as a result of the SFU U-Pass program and 8,000 metric tons (7,900 long tons; 8,800 short tons) as a result of the UBC U-Pass program.[8]
Notes
- ^ "U-Pass BC Program". translink.ca. TransLink. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ Partridge, Emma (May 10, 2015). "Students switching to Compass Cards this month". The Ubyssey. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
- ^ "U-PASS BC TO SAVE STUDENTS ON TRANSIT FARES". www2.news.gov.bc.ca. 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
- ^ "U-Pass BC FAQ". TransLink.ca. TransLink. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ "Monthly Pass". TransLink.ca. TransLink. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ "Help: Using your U-Pass BC". U-Pass BC. TransLink. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ http://elections.sfss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Election-Report.pdf
- ^ "U-Pass Review Final Report" (PDF). UrbanSystems. May 4, 2005. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
External links
- TransLink U-Pass Page
- SFU U-Pass site
- UBC U-Pass site
- KPU U-Pass site
- Capilano U-Pass site
- VCC U-Pass site
- Langara U-Pass site
- Douglas U-Pass site
- BCIT U-Pass site
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