2025-2026 General Election U-PASS Referendum Information

Kelowna Regional Transit: Like Your U-PASS

What is a U-PASS?

The Universal Bus Pass (U-PASS) is a mandatory program from September to April for all UBC students who are members of the Students’ Union Okanagan of UBC (SUO of UBC) and the U-PASS fee has been assessed along with 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.

What is being proposed

In order to keep the U-PASS program, a slight increase to the already existing student levied U-PASS fee. The exact referendum question, when available, will be posted here.

Why Is Kelowna Regional Transit Proposing a Fee Increase?

Increasing fares from time to time helps cover rising transit operating costs and supports transit service expansions that enhance the systems for riders.
A general fare rate increase was approved for regular fares and takes effect October 1, 2025. This triggers a semester rate increase for U-PASS, which is aligned to the Adult 30-Day Pass rate. A U-PASS rate increase of $9 per semester would take effect September 2026*.

Students will vote on the increase via a Referendum. A “yes” vote will see the U-PASS program continue, providing the significant value it provides today.

*Today, students pay $63/semester for their U-PASS after a UBCO 10% subsidy.

As of October 1, 2025, transit fares were increased in the Kelowna Regional Transit System for the first time in over a decade. The U-PASS fee has similarly not increased since 2016 and an increase in U-PASS semester fees is being proposed. The additional funding from increased transit fares will help cover operating expenses that have increased over the last decade and allow for transit service expansions to continue occurring.

U-PASS Semester Saving (compared to Post-Secondary Semester Pass) table below:

With the recent increase to transit fares, the U-PASS fee would be paid off after 12 days of transit usage in a semester, providing great value to students.

Without the proposed increase, students risk losing their U-PASS and having to pay regular transit fares. UBCO campus may also see possible service reductions, increased traffic on campus, and less available parking without U-PASS.

To avoid the requirement of frequent U-PASS referendums in the future, indexing the U-PASS fee to the Kelowna Regional Transit Adult 30-Day fare is also being proposed (less UBC subsidy). This would ensure that U-PASS will remain for years to come, and students will continue to receive the benefits and savings of U-PASS.

Service Improvements coming in 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
• Rutland Network Restructure, including significant changes to routes 10, 11, and 14 as well as the Rutland Exchange
• Mission Network Restructure, including significant changes to routes 5, 16, 17, and the OnDemand area
• Expansion of select trips on route 97 Okanagan
• Expansion of the OnDemand area in the Lower Mission neighbourhood

Where and when to vote

Students will be able to cast their vote, during the Students’ Union Okanagan’s general election in late-February 2026 / early-March 2026, via the UBC Simply Voting platform. Students will receive an email prior to the voting period, and a link to cast their individual ballot, using their CWL account.

Future developments

Looking ahead, there will be more new technology, infrastructure and additional service to come! We will begin transitioning to a battery electric bus fleet, are exploring a broader application of OnDemand transit and are planning for dedicated bus lanes and other measures that enhance transit priority and improve service reliability. We are also working toward a new transit operation centre that will facilitate future service expansions through the region delivered with zero emission buses!

Service expansion plans include new and restructured routes and increased service frequency on select routes, including more evening and weekend service!
In 2026 alone, an additional 18,850 annual service hours (an 8.5% increase) will support (subject to change):

• Significant investments for 98 UBCO/Rutland Express. Trips will be increased, introducing more frequent service with longer service hours and weekend service.
• Restructure of the Rutland area network with significant changes to Routes 10, 11 and 14.
• Restructure of the Mission area network with changes to Routes 5, 16 and 17.
• Additional service on 97 Okanagan between Westbank Exchange and Downtown.

Subsequent investment proposals call for over 12,000 more new service hours supporting a variety of improvements including additional service on weekdays and Saturdays on 13 Quail Ridge and 84 Academy Way!

To learn more about our plans, visit bctransit.com/kelowna/transit-future/completed-plans.

U-PASS History

In 2007, U-PASS was implemented at University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus based on approval through a student referendum.
In 2015, fare rates were increased and UBCO students voted to support a fare increase for U-PASS, recognizing the significant value it provides. Effective September 2016, the U-PASS rate increased from $60 to $63 per semester where it remains today.

Transit Achievements since U-PASS Began

Quick Facts

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 in the Crawford neighborhood

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.

Bus stop infrastructure

New and upgraded bus stops region-wide to improve accessibility and add amenities, such as benches and shelters. 24 percent of the 996 bus stops in the region now have bus shelters.

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.

If you have any questions regarding the U-PASS, please send an email to u-pass@suo.ca, or visit the Students’ Union Okanagan office during regular business hours.