U-PASS

The Universal Bus Pass (U-PASS) provides all UBC Okanagan students with a significant discount to BC Transit in the Kelowna (and surrounding) area. The discount exists because the program is based on large number of students participating in the program. By having all students contribute to the program, the cost per student is significantly lower.

Even if students drive to campus most of the time, U-PASS can benefit them if they ever need or want to take transit (i.e. car breaks down or not able to drive).

U-PASS also benefits drivers as more students will use transit, resulting in fewer cars on the road. It translates into shorter commute times and more available parking.

What is a U-PASS?

The Universal Bus Pass (U-PASS) is a mandatory program from September-April for all UBC students who are members of the Students’ Union Okanagan of UBC (SUO of UBC) and have been assessed the SUO fee. The U-PASS entitles holders unlimited access to the Kelowna Regional Transit System at a significant discount – approximately four months for the price of one.

Where did the U-PASS come from?

In September 2007, a Universal Bus Pass (U-PASS) was implemented at University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus (UBC) based on approval through a student referendum.

FALL/WINTER SEMESTERS

During the Fall/Winter semesters, the U-PASS fee is included in your tuition and student fees semester instalment.

Benefit codes are sent to the email address registered in Workday. If you change your email address, please see this tutorial to keep your Workday email address up-to-date. The Students’ Union will send these benefit codes ahead of each Fall/Winter semester. Students are able to update their U-PASS ahead of time using the UMO website or app.

For Fall semesters, benefit codes are sent between mid to late August, and for Winter semesters benefit codes are sent early to mid December.

Kindly note that when the Okanagan U-PASS appears on Workday it is designated as “U-PASO” on Workday or Okanagan U-PASS.

SUMMER SEMESTERS

Summer U-PASS will be available for opt-in purchases starting on the last week of April until mid-July, at paper and supply co. (UNC103).  You can reuse your physical UMO card.

Kindly note that the Okanagan Summer U-PASS is not automatically assessed, so you do not need to request an exemption to opt-out of the Okanagan Summer U-PASS.

Summer benefit codes are loaded during purchase to either the physical UMO card, or directly to the UMO app.

Please note that the Vancouver U-PASS is assessed monthly all year round and is $46.90 per calendar month, and is designated as “U-PASS” on Workday.

If you are enrolled in distance courses in the Summer semesters, even as an Okanagan student, and are assessed a calendar monthly U-PASS fee on your Workday account, kindly visit the website below to enquire about a UBC Vancouver U-PASS exemption at:
www.ams.ubc.ca/support-services/u-pass/

How much do I save with U-PASS?

A U-PASS for one semester costs approximately 1/4 of the Kelowna Regional Transit rate for an Adult 30-day Pass, which means that UBCO students get four-months for the price of one.

What is UMO?

UMO is the easy way to pay for your BC Transit fare.

All students are eligible for a free reuseable UMO physical card. This card can be collected from the Students’ Union Okanagan (SUO) office, in the University Centre Building (UNC), 1^st floor, during regular business hours. 

If you have a Canadian Apple App store account, or a Canadian Google Play store account, you can choose to switch from the physical UMO card to the UMO app.

Kindly note that due to the security features designed in the system to prevent fraudulent use prohibit multiple methods being used interchangeably, you can only use one payment method – either the physical UMO card OR the UMO app, but not both.

What is changing with the U-PASS?

Due to the Transit Referendum held during March 2026, the U-PASS rate will increase from students paying $63 per semester, beginning September 1^st, 2026 to the new rate of $71 per semester.

Who uses the U-PASS?

During the 2025 academic year at least 6,583 students (representing a minimum of 54% students assessed a U-PASS fee) used U-PASS [1] taking 757,252 transit boardings across the Kelowna Regional Transit System. That’s an average of 18 boardings per student per month, showing that students rely on transit consistently throughout the academic year.

[1] U-PASS users are defined as number of users who used their pass at least once in the semester.

During the summer, 1,175 students opted in, and they used transit even more—26 rides per month on average, compared to 21 rides for all other Umo users without a U-PASS. This suggests many U-PASS summer users rely on transit as their primary way of getting around, even when the program is optional. During the summer, participation in the U‑PASS program is not mandatory, and student enrollment—and therefore the number of U‑PASS users—is significantly lower than during the academic year.

UBCO’s Fall 2025 Transportation Survey found:

• 50% of students listed transit as their primary mode of transportation
• 18%  of students listed transit as their secondary mode
• 5% of students who are primary transit users listed no secondary mode—meaning transit is likely their only way to get to campus

U-PASS users also make a significant number of trips from areas with high financial vulnerability.  Twenty ‑eight percent of all U-PASS boardings (excluding UBCO stops) originated in neighbourhoods with the highest financial vulnerability index[1], indicating that the U-PASS supports students who may have the fewest transportation alternatives.

[1] The Financial Vulnerability Index uses several household financial indicators to show how financially at risk households are within each neighbourhood. To identify areas with the highest financial vulnerability, neighbourhoods scoring within the top 25% of the Financial Vulnerability Index were selected

Transit achievements since U-PASS began

Since U-PASS began there have been significant investments made in the Kelowna Regional Transit System including:

‣ New technologies

New technologies have greatly enhanced the bus-riding experience in Kelowna, making riding a bus more convenient than ever. This includes:

• NextRide real-time bus tracking
• Onboard, automated announcements call out stop names
• Electronic fare payment system with the Umo app or Umo card
  (with the credit and debit card payment upcoming)
• OnDemand service

‣ RapidBus line 97 Okanagan

RapidBus was implemented in 2010 in Kelowna as the 97X. In 2014, the route expanded to the Westside, along with new bus stations added in Kelowna. In 2020, more stations were added at Sexsmith Rd/Hwy 97.

‣ Transit exchange updates over the years

Major exchanges have been constructed and upgraded, including new exchanges in West Kelowna (Westbank/ Elliott, Boucherie), Lake Country (Berry Road), Kelowna (Mission, UBCO Exchange), and significant exchange renewals in Kelowna (Queensway, Pandosy and Okanagan College). More enhancements are being delivered in the next two years at Rutland, Mission and Okanagan College Exchanges.

‣ Operating centre upgrades

Transit operating centre upgrades are underway now to support continuous investments in service in the region and support the transition to low-carbon fleet.

‣ Transit Service to UBCO

UBCO is easily accessed by transit from the UBCO exchange, which connects students to the region with rapid and frequent service routes providing 15–30 minute frequency.

‣ Bus stop infrastructure

New and upgraded bus stops region-wide to improve accessibility and add amenities, such as benches and shelters.

‣ Service Improvements effective January 2026

• Over 18,000 additional hours of service and 6 new buses in the region
• Expanded service on the 98 Rutland/UBCO Express and changes to service on route 8 University/College with 20-minute service during peak times on weekdays
• Restructure of Rutland an Mission area networks
• Additional service on select trips on the 97 Okanagan
• OnDemand new service zone in the Lower Mission neighbourhood

‣ Longer-term investments Subsequent investment proposals call for over 12,000 additional new service hours, supporting a variety of improvements, including increased weekday and Saturday service on Route 13 Quail Ridge and Route 84 Academy Way.

Do I qualify for an exemption?

UBC Okanagan students are only automatically assessed U-PASS fee during the Fall/Winter semesters. Exceptions are not available for the Summer semesters.

Please note in order to be granted an exception, you must meet one of eligibility criteria to be able to opt-out of the U-PASS (documentation will also be required).

Kindly note the Students’ Union can only review U-PASS exception requests for the current academic year. There is a deadline in September each year, as well as U-PASS exception requests must be submitted annually, there is no permanent exception.

Students must meet one of the following U-PASS opt-out eligibility criteria in order to have the U-PASS fee reversed.  Even if you have submitted an exception application, you are still required to pay all of your student fees and tuition fees in full prior to the fee deadline.

To apply for a U-PASS exception, fill out the online application form at: https://www.suo.ca/u-pass-opt-out/

For schedules and more detailed transit maps, please visit:
www.bctransit.com/kelowna
UMO physical card registration
UMO Smartphone app download
NextRide FAQs

If you have any questions or need assistance with your U-PASS, please the SUO an e-mail at u-pass@suo.ca and include your name and student number, along with your question.

Have feedback about transit? Please report it to BC Transit and let us know.