Who is eligible to receive the U-Pass?

All full-time credit students (those taking 9 or more credits each semester through Mount Royal College only) during the Fall and/or Winter semesters are eligible for the U-Pass.

This is a mandatory program, so all students who are taking 9 or more MRC credits each semester will be assessed this fee.

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How much does the U-Pass cost?

The actual U-Pass (the amount paid to Calgary Transit) costs $91.50 per full-time student per semester. The Students’ Association is charging $3.50 per full-time student per semester for administration. Students will therefore be charged $95 per semester for this program.

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How is the U-Pass rate determined?

Calgary Transit determines the U-pass rate based on the current ridership levels. Current ridership levels are determined based on a variety of research studies and surveys. This ridership is multiplied by the cost of a current monthly bus pass rate and then divided by the total number of participants in the program.

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Why is SAMRC charging $3.50 per student to administer this program?

SAMRC has approached this program as revenue neutral. In other words, SAMRC does not want make any money through this program but also does not want to subsidize this program at the expense of other programs offered.

The $3.50 per student will be used to pay for:

• Communications: As this is a program applicable to most MRC students, lots of information needs to be provided to students so everyone knows the details of this program.

• Research:  There are two basic questions that SAMRC needs to ask:

• Is the Upass fee the right fee based on who’s paying for the program? 

• And, do students want to continue with the Upass option with the recent approval of the low income bus pass? 

• Calgary Transit wants this research to be conducted by an independent third party researcher – which means additional costs will be incurred.

• Negotiations: Negotiating with Calgary Transit has taken a great deal of time for several key staff in the Students’ Association. Legal costs have also been incurred as contracts are reviewed and negotiated.

• Opt-out processing: Additional staff people are required to process the opt-outs for students with disabilities and students taking DFS programs outside of Calgary. In addition, opt-out refunds will be mailed to students’ homes in an effort to make this process easier for all.

• Sticker distribution: Additional staff people are required to ensure that students receive their U-Pass stickers in a timely fashion.

Current estimates are that the U-Pass administration will actually cost more than $3.50 per student.

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Who can opt-out of the U-Pass?

The U-Pass is a mandatory fee, passed by students through a referendum in March 2005 and again in March 2007. However, there are three groups of students who may opt-out of the U-pass and receive a full refund:

• Those students who are physically disabled and who take the Handi-Bus or Access Calgary instead (proof of use of Handi-Bus transit is required)

• Those students who are blind and receive a CNIB bus pass (proof of CNIB bus pass is required)

• Those students who are taking a directed field studies course which requires them to move from Calgary to participate in this program (proof of residency outside Calgary and proof of enrollment in the Directed Field Studies course is required)

• Those who are studying abroad in an international exchange program

• Senior citizens who have purchased a senior citizens' bus pass

If you do not meet the requirements of any of these categories, you cannot opt-out of the U-Pass program.

Opt-out forms can be picked up at the Copywrite or found on-line beginning Aug 15, 2007 and are due no later than
Sept 30, 2007 . Proof of eligibility must also be presented. Opt-out refunds will be mailed out after Oct 15, 2007.

Click here for the Opt-out form (PDF)

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What constitutes proof of my eligibility to opt-out of the U-Pass program?

There are three grounds on which a student may opt-out of the U-Pass program:

• Those students who are physically disabled and who take the Handi-Bus or Access Calgary instead.

  • Proof of eligibility to opt-out of the U-Pass program under this clause must demonstrate use of Handi-Bus transit or Access Calgary systems

• Those students who are blind and receive a CNIB bus pass

  • Proof of eligibility to opt-out of the U-Pass program under this clause will include a CNIB-issued identification card which notes access to the public transit system

• Those students who are taking a directed field studies course which requires them to move from Calgary to participate in this program.

  • Proof of eligibility to opt-out of the U-Pass program under this clause must demonstrate residency outside Calgary and proof of enrollment in the Directed Field Studies course in the current semester

• Those who are studying abroad in an international exchange program,
   
  • Proof of eligibility to opt-out of the U-Pass program under this clause must demonstrate residency outside Calgary and proof of enrollment in the international exchange program in the current semester
     
• Senior citizens who have purchased a senior citizens’ transit pass.
   
  • Proof of eligibility to opt-out of the U-Pass program under this clause will include a senior citizens’ transit pass issued by Calgary Transit.

Students who wish to opt-out of the program and receive a refund of their U-Pass fee must complete a form (available from the Copywrite and from the SAMRC web site at samrc.com). Photocopies of students’ proof of opt-out eligibility will be made, with the original documentation returned to the student.

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I am not able to complete the opt-out forms. Where can I get help?

The staff at the Copywrite office, located in the basement of Wyckham House room Z 007 and accessible by an elevator, will be happy to assist you in completing the necessary paperwork to opt-out of the U-pass program and receive a refund if you are eligible (see proof of eligibility above).

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I haven’t been assessed a U-Pass fee?  Can I still participate in this program?

If you are taking 9 or more credits through MRC in a semester, and haven’t been assessed the U-Pass fee, you can still participate in the program by paying the $95 fee. If you are not taking 9 or more credits through MRC in a semester, you are not eligible to participate in this program.

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How can I pick up my U-Pass?

U-Pass stickers can be picked up from the Copywrite – located in the basement of Wyckham House – any time after August 20rd in the Fall semester and any time after December 10th in the Winter semester. make sure to pick up your stickers before each semester starts because riding the bus without valid payment can result in at least a $250 fine.

Please note that dates are tentative and are subject to change.

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Why are we implementing a U-Pass?

For the last several years, the Students’ Association has been approached by individual student groups asking for the implementation of a U-Pass here at MRC. These requests reached a peak around the time that the U-Pass was instituted at other Calgary institutions – namely University of Calgary and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology – and when the City of Calgary cancelled the post-secondary bus pass a couple of years ago.

Students’ issues included: cheaper transportation to and from school, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions because more people will be taking public transportation.

The Students’ Association decided in January 2005 to ask students the question of whether they wanted a mandatory universal transit pass. A referendum (the results of which are binding upon the Students’ Association) was held in March 2005, with students voting in favour of implementing the mandatory U-Pass program at MRC. Another referendum was held in March 2006, and once again, students voted in favour of the U-pass program in March 2007.

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How long is the U-Pass effective?

The U-Pass program allows students to take transit in the Fall and Winter semesters only.

• The Fall semester U-pass is effective from September 1st to December 31st.

• The Winter semester U-Pass is effective from January 1st to April 30th.

• The U-Pass does not cover the Spring and Summer semesters.

• Students must be taking 9 or more credits at Mount Royal College in the Fall semester to be eligible for the Fall pass.

• Students must be taking 9 or more credits at Mount Royal in the Winter semester to be eligible for the Winter pass.

Please note that it is very important to pick up your U-Pass sticker prior to September 1st in the Fall semester and prior to January 1st in the Winter semester. Riding the bus without valid proof of payment can result in at least a $250 fine.

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I am a student in the Athabasca University program offered through Mount Royal College. Am I eligible to participate in the U-Pass program?

Students who are taking 9 or more Mount Royal College credits each semester are eligible for this program. If you are a full-time student, but are taking fewer than 9 Mount Royal College credits, you are not eligible for this program.

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I am a full-time student in the Massage Therapy program. Am I eligible to participate in the U-Pass program?

Unfortunately, no. This program is only available to full-time credit students. Students must be taking 9 or more credits each semester directly through Mount Royal College to participate.

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I am required to use the Handi-bus system or Access Calgary and am therefore exempted from the U-Pass program. But I see that I’ve been assessed the U-Pass user fee for this term. How do I get this assessment cancelled or refunded?

There is no way for SAMRC to know who uses the Handi-bus or Access Calgary systems and who does not. Therefore, all full-time MRC students (those taking 9 or more MRC credits in the Fall or Winter semesters) have been assessed this fee.

If you are eligible to opt-out of this program, please drop by the Copywrite (located in the basement of Wyckham House) to complete the necessary paperwork. The dates for opting-out of this program are:

• August 15th to September 30th – to opt-out of the Fall semester’s U-Pass

• December 1st to January 20th – to opt-out of the Winter semester’s U-Pass

Please note that you will be required to opt-out of this program each semester.

When you visit the Copywrite to opt-out of this program, please bring proof of your eligibility to opt-out.

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What does my U-Pass look like?

The U-Pass is a specially-designed holograph sticker that will be affixed to the front of your Campus Card beside your picture.

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Is the U-Pass valid only to travel to the College?

No. The U-pass is valid anytime, anywhere the Calgary Transit system (buses or C-train) operates. One of the many benefits of the pass is that it can be used for all your activities – not just traveling to and from the College.

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The pass would be more useful to me if transit service hours were extended. What are the chances of this happening?

SAMRC, Mount Royal College and Calgary Transit have been working together in an effort to have extended transit hours and additional service options to the Mount Royal College campus.  Starting in September 2006, some of the routes to the local neighbourhood will be routed through the campus and a new prime-time express bus will bring students in from a C-train station.  Please contact Calgary Transit directly at 262-1000 for details on these new services.
 

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I do not intend to ever use my Transit pass. I don’t see any benefit to this program.

Here are some of the benefits of participating in the universal transit pass system.

Is there any way I can transfer my U-Pass to another person?

No. The pass is strictly non-transferrable. Any and all cards believed to be fraudulently used or altered will be immediately confiscated by Transit authorities. Transit authorities may decide to levy a fine against anyone who is believed to have used the U-Pass inappropriately. In addition, Calgary Transit will turn over any misused of altered U-Passes to the SAMRC and the College, who may choose to take further disciplinary action.

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How will the Calgary Transit authorities know who has a U-pass and who doesn’t?

It is important to know that Calgary Transit security will frequently be asking transit users to show their U-passes (similar to showing tickets or passes on the C-train) and checking them closely to ensure the pictures and stickers are correct.

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What if I lose my ID card with my transit sticker on it?

Unfortunately, lost U-Pass stickers will cost $95 to replace. Damaged stickers, however, will be replaced free of charge with the return of the damaged sticker.

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I don’t like the service I’m receiving regarding the U-Pass. Who do I complain to?

Please refer any complaints or suggestions to the Students’ Association. Please e-mail all complaints to: upass@samrc.com.

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I take my car to school every day. I already pay for parking. Why do I have to pay for the U-Pass too?

Students voted for a mandatory U-Pass program in 2005, 2006, and 2007 through a referendum. All of these referenda followed democratic processes, allowing all students an opportunity to vote on the program. 67% voted in favour of this mandatory program in 2005, 59% in favour in 2006 and 65% in favour in 2007.

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I would take the bus to school, but the service is so poor that I have to take two buses to get from downtown.

Starting in September 2006, Calgary Transit will be introducing several new buses, including an express bus from a C-Trani station to Mount Royal College. For more information, please contact Calgary Transit at 262-1000.

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