A universal pass, otherwise known as U-Pass, is a transit pass offered to students in post-secondary schools in BC. By offering this pass at a reduced cost for students, included in their tuition, Translink provides students an affordable and sustainable method of transportation while attending school. The use of a U-Pass differs for students depending on their situation; whether they live close to their campus or not, whether they have access to a car or not, and so on and so forth. While some students employ their U-Pass more than others, there are still ways for all students to take advantage of theirs; Which they should.
The Why
Cost Comparison: U-Pass vs. Adult Monthly Pass
The cost breakdown of a U-Pass is one of its main benefits to students. When you compare it to the cost of an adult monthly pass, the savings are significant. A U-Pass for a 4-month school term costs $180.40 for students, valid in all zones. On the other hand, an adult 3-zone monthly pass is $189.45. Isn’t that a crazy difference? A U-Pass valid for 4 months is cheaper than an adult pass that’s good for 1 month. Putting that into perspective, why wouldn’t you want to use your U-Pass while you can? When you don’t have access to the student pricing anymore, you’ll surely miss it.
Easily Allows for Multimodal Transportation
You can easily combine multiple forms of transportation in your commute by taking transit. Transiting often requires walking a bit to make it to a station or stop. Got your bike with you? No worries. If you can’t bike through a certain area, take it on transit with you. Buses have front racks to store your bike on the ride, and you can bring your bike on the SkyTrain and SeaBus as well. You’ve already combined 3 transportation methods for your commute. Multimodal transportation promotes active living and sustainability; who wouldn’t want that?
The How
Always Load Your U-Pass Each Month
Even if you don’t think you’ll use it, load your u-pass every month. First of all, it takes very little time to do so. You even get an email reminder when you can load it to your compass card. Think of it this way: you don’t usually take transit, but one night you go out with your friends. You’re in no position to drive home so you decide to transit, which is a good decision. However, you realize that you forgot to load your U-Pass this month. So you load it hoping it’ll work in time, but it doesn’t, and you end up having to pay the fare despite already having paid for your pass. Therefore, always make sure to load it so when you do need it, it’s accessible to you.
Take Advantage of No Time Limit
At the times when you might not have a U-Pass, you realize how fortunate you are to have a pass that doesn’t leave you constrained to 90-minute windows before you have to pay for transit fare again. With the U-Pass, you can tap in and out at whatever time you want for no additional cost. Whereas if you’re paying for regular fare, you pay once, and once it’s been 90 minutes since that initial tap, you’ll have to pay again. Rather than trying to rush so you don’t have to pay again, your U-Pass allows you to hang around campus, go out with friends, and take your time. Transit will be there when you’re done and at no additional cost.
Opt for Transit Over Driving Once in a While
Many students prefer driving over transiting when going to campus, which is understandable. It’s convenient, often quicker, and it’s more private. Despite these benefits, there are also some benefits in opting for transit. Not only that, since you’re already paying for a U-Pass you might as well use it once in a while. Taking transit allows you to explore the area by looking out the window on your bus/SkyTrain ride with no care for traffic, get some rest, and even get some work done for the class you’re about to attend. You can also skip out on the gas and parking costs you incur from driving, which tends to add up, especially on a student budget. Sometimes sitting on transit and taking in the area and people around you is much more peaceful than a traffic-filled car ride.
A U-Pass is one of the best perks you can get as a student attending post-secondary school in BC. The pricing is unmatched and the pass itself extends great benefits to students that can only be taken advantage of while in school. Not only that, but it’s a more sustainable transportation option in comparison to driving. To learn more about how to load or use your U-Pass, go to Translink’s U-Pass BC FAQ page.
Written by: Michelle Peng
