U-Pass BC
U-Pass BC is a student public transportation monthly pass valid through British Columbia and on the TransLink system in the Metro Vancouver
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 beginning of September, 2010.
The Lower Mainland program is currently available to Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Douglas College, Vancouver Community College, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Capilano University, Langara College, SFU, and UBC students only. Justice Institute of British Columbia has opted not to participate in the program.[1]
Pass holders are eligible to use HandyDART if requirements are met and also for discounted fare on the West Coast Express.
History
The Metro Vancouver region U-Pass program was first implemented in September 2003 by TransLink, with the sponsorship of Vancity. Custom software to provide secure card issuance and match UPASS card numbers to student records was designed, developed, and implemented under Steven Simonyi-Gindele, CEO of Pics SmartCard Inc., (which changed its name to ID Security Experts Inc., in August 2013) 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 Province announced that U-Pass program would be expanded into a province-wide initiative at a rate of $30 per month. [2] At the same time, it was announced that VanCity would no longer be a sponsor for the program.
On September 1, 2011, UPass BC program officially launched at 11 public post-secondary institutions.
Fee
The fee for the U-Pass is currently $35 per month for all students. The U-Pass allows unlimited travel in all zones on buses, SkyTrains and the SeaBus. This represents a significant savings over the current $81 fee for a monthly regular one zone pass and FastTrax sticker previously required, or a savings of approximately $352 over eight months.[3]
On April 1, 2013, the U-Pass monthly fee increased to $35 per month. Fees are paid with tuition and student fees, and all students (regardless of whether they take on-campus, distant education courses, or even on Co-op term) must purchase the pass, though in some circumstances, students may opt out.
U-Passes are non-transferrable and the student must have their name printed on the back of the pass. Fraudulent use may result in criminal charges or a fine. Students are required to carry supplemental identification (Student Card) and produce it for inspection, along with the UPass, upon request of a Transit Security Officer or a member of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service. Failure to produce supplemental identification (Student Card) upon request may result in confiscation of the UPass, and/or a fine for not having a valid fare in a Fare Paid Zone.[citation needed]
Popularity
According to the UBC U-Pass site, since the UBC U-Pass was implemented, transit ridership now accounts for 42% of all trips to UBC, a figure expected to grow by ten percent per year. In a referendum at UBC, the students voted 92% in favour of continuing the program. According to the U-Pass Final Review, Transit ridership at UBC has increased by 63% since the implementation of the U-Pass, 37% of UBC students reported that they have been able to avoid buying a car as a result of the U-Pass and 69% have been able to reduce their reliance on a car due to the pass.
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 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.
Environmental benefits
According to the U-Pass Review Final Report, Translink has estimated that by May 2005, regional green house gas emissions had been reduced by 3,000 tonnes as a result of the SFU U-Pass program and 8,000 tonnes as a result of the UBC U-Pass program.[4]
Notes
- ↑ UPass BC FAQ
- ↑ U-Pass Bc To Save Students On Transit Fares
- ↑ O'Connor, Naoibh (2006-03-01). "College students question U-PASS price discrepancy". Vancouver Courier. Archived from the original on 2006-10-19. Retrieved 2006-08-25.
- ↑ "U-Pass Review Final Report". UrbanSystems. May 4, 2005. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
External links
.