U-Pass
The U-pass is a group discount program that provides MacEwan Students unlimited access to regular transit service in Edmonton, St. Albert, Strathcona County, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Leduc and Beaumont.
LOWER YOUR COMMUTE COST. ACTIVATE YOUR Spring/Summer U-PASS!
Notice: Don’t throw away your Arc Card! You can reload it each semester with your new U-Pass, see how in Step 2 of “How do I add my U-Pass to my ARC Card?” below.
- Fall Term: Aug 25 – Dec 31
- Winter Term – Jan 1 – Apr 30
- Spring/Summer Term: Apr 20 – Aug 31
Please note: Only plastic Arc Cards (starting with 6090150001) accept U-Pass. Paper tickets may not be redeemed U-Pass.
NEED AN ARC CARD?
You can get your Arc Card at the SAMU Offices (SA-301, Third Floor SAMU Building) and Various Locations around Edmonton.
From September 2–12 (Monday-Friday), 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM”, we’ll have a U-Pass table in the SAMU Building, where you can purchase your Arc Card, get help registering it, and load your Term U-Pass.
ARC CARD TABLING
- For questions and information about U-Pass and ARC Cards, including purchasing ARC Cards and registering U-Pass, visit the U-Pass table on the 2nd floor of the SAMU Building.
- Open September 2–12 (Monday-Friday), 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Arc Card FAQ’s
HOW DO I ADD MY U-PASS TO THE ARC CARD?
- Register your Arc card in your MyStudentSystem in the fee tile
-Select U-Pass – Arc Card.
-Click on the green “add new card” button – Add 19 digit Account Number found on the back of the card and the 3 digit verification Code found on the front (see below image) save.
A SUCCESSFUL ADDED CARD WILL HAVE AN ACTIVE ARC CARD STATUS
2. Add Term U-pass on the Arc Card by Clicking on the Active Card line – a new window will pop up. Change the toggle of the term to Yes. If you don’t see a term to add, you may not be assessed the U-pass. Check your fee breakdown on your Enrolment and Account Summary in the Fees tile on your MyStudentSystem for the $180 U-Pass.
- Read and accept the terms and conditions.
- Save and Wait.
It can take up to 8 hours to activate the U-Pass onto the card. Please check back that the U-pass Status is changed to active before use.
WHY AM I GETTING A "CARD READ ERROR"?
Very often, a “Card Read Error” can be caused by an RFID blocking wallet/card carrier that the students have placed the ARC card into, or a defective card. Students with a defective card should replace their cards.
WHY AM I GETTING YELLOW WARNING?
In the last five days of the term, students will see a yellow warning on the validators letting them know that their pass will soon expire. It can be used as your reminder to add your next term U-pass.
HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY ARC CARD?
The advanced technology inside the cards can be sensitive. Be sure to not punch holes in your card, do not bend it, and especially don’t attach your arc card to the back of your cell phone while it is charging! This will destroy the chip in the card, and you will have to get another one.
WHY AM I GETTING AN INSUFFICIENT FUNDS ERROR?
WHAT ARE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE U-PASS?
I LOST MY ARC CARD, WHAT DO i DO?
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Log on to your mystudentsystem and go to the fee tile and select “U-Pass-Arc Card” on the menu. Select the current active card — a pop-up window will open.
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Select a reason in the menu “Inactivate this Card for the reason” and Save.
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You will need to get a new Arc card, register it, and add term U-pass.
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ARC Cards may be purchased from SAMU at SA-301 during business hours, or at various locations across the city. For a list of ARC card purchase locations, visit https://www.myarc.ca/features/where-to-buy
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Please note that if an Arc card is being removed and a new one added, it can take up to 16 hours for the U-pass to become active on your new card.
Info on Upass
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE U-PASS?
THE U-PASS IS ASSESSED TO ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE IN AN ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM AND TAKING AT LEAST ONE IN-PERSON OR HYBRID CLASS.
Students who are in distant programs, are in Open Studies (felt this should be added to avoid confusion), or taking all classes online are not eligible for the U-pass. Check your Fees on your MyStudentSystem.
Not assessed the U-Pass, but think you should be? Contact us at https://samu.ca/contact/ and select the subject line “U-Pass” to let us know.
WHERE CAN I USE MY U-PASS?
- BEAUMONT
- EDMONTON (INCLUDING THE LRT and 747 to the Airport)
- FORT SASKATCHEWAN
- LEDUC
- SPRUCE GROVE
- ST. ALBERT
- STRATHCONA COUNTY
- St. Albert Transit Handibus Services
- Accessible Transit Service (Spruce Grove)
- Fort Saskatchewan Special Transportation Services Society (STSS)
- Leduc Assisted Transportation Services (LATS)
- Any and all special event, contracted, or charter transit services offered by any transit service which regular transit fares do not apply, including, Football Park&Ride Service, Heritage Festival or Grand Prix transit service
- Contracted services for outlying communities such as service to Morinville
WHY DO WE HAVE THE U-PASS?
STUDENTS VOTED FOR IT.
The elected student representatives from SAMU, along with the student representatives from University of Alberta Students’ Union, the NAIT Students’ Association, the NorQuest College Students’ Association, and the Concordia Students’ Association worked together as a united front to negotiate with the municipalities (Edmonton, St. Albert, Strathcona County, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Leduc, and Beaumont) on the price, opt-out options, and terms and conditions of the U-Pass program.
Once the agreement was finalized, the decision to adopt the U-Pass as a mandatory fee was put to a student vote.
The U-Pass program has been overwhelmingly supported by MacEwan students through referenda held in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2021, each time approving the mandatory fee assessment required for participation.
In April 2024, students in the Upgrading, EAL, and SCE International programs held a referendum to join the U-Pass program. The proposal passed with 77.9% support from Upgrading and EAL students, and 94.5% support from SCE International students.
In March 2025, a campus-wide referendum was held to continuing the U-Pass program for the next three academic years (2025–2027), with 77.8% students voted in favor.
WHY IS THE U-PASS MANDATORY?
The U-Pass is based on universal participation, which allows the cost of transit services to be shared across a large student population. This collective buying power helps significantly reduce the price for everyone. To keep the price low, all students taking on-campus classes are automatically part of the program.
HOW MUCH IS THE U-PASS AND WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
- 2025-26: $180 per term
- 2026-27: $182.50 per term
- 2027-28: $185 per term
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE U-PASS PROGRAM?
- Lower Transportation Costs for Students: The U-Pass costs less than a regular monthly transit pass, providing savings for students who use public transportation.
- U-Pass Cost Breakdown Per Month:
- 2025/2026: $45 per month
- 2026/2027: $45.63 per month
- 2027/2028: $46.25 per month
- U-Pass Cost Breakdown Per Month:
- Edmonton Transit Services Regular Bus Fare:
- ARC Card Single 90-Minute Fare: $3
- Adult Monthly Fare Cap: $102 (for adults ages 19-64)
- Other Commuter Services:
- Strathcona Commuter: $6.50 one-way, $90.25 monthly
- St. Albert Commuter: $5 one-way, $107 monthly
- Fort Saskatchewan Commuter: $5 one-way, $47 monthly
- Spruce Grove Commuter: $5.60 one-way, $100 monthly
- Leduc Commuter: $4.50 one-way, $90 monthly
- Beaumont Commuter: $5.00 one-way, $75 monthly
- Savings for Students Who Drive: The U-Pass can help reduce costs associated with driving, such as gas, parking, vehicle maintenance, and insurance if using the U-Pass to drive less.
- Reduced Demand for Campus Parking: With MacEwan’s expected growth of an additional 7,000 students, the U-Pass could help ease parking congestion by encouraging students to use public transit rather than driving.
- Reduced Traffic Congestion: More students using public transit may result in less traffic in and around the campus and local community.
- Environmental Benefits: The U-Pass helps reduce emissions and greenhouse gases by promoting the use of public transportation.
- Improved Transit System: U-Pass programs can lead to the expansion of bus routes and improved transit services to the institution.
Can I use the U-Pass for Spring/Summer terms?
Students registered in an in-person Spring or Summer course will automatically be assessed the U-Pass. The pass is valid from April 20 to August 31.
If you are not registered in an in-person course, you can still use your Arc card by registering it at myarc.ca and loading funds manually. Note that the Fall U-Pass starts August 25.
HOW CAN I OPT OUT OF THE U-PASS PROGRAM?
Students can request a U-Pass exemption. Forms are found on your mystudentsytem in the Fee tile. Below is a list of the eligible exemptions with the type of documents required.
Documents Required: a valid Disabled Adult Transit Service (DATS) registration, Strathcona County Mobility Bus registration, St. Albert Handibus registration, Accessible Transit Service (ATS) registration, Fort Saskatchewan Special Transportation Services Society (STSS) registration, or Leduc Assisted Transportation Services (LATS) registration and who is able to prove their registration with a valid photo ID card;
Documents Required: Copy of valid CNIB-issued photo ID card;
For students whose practicum location is outside the service areas (outside of Edmonton, Strathcona County, St.Albert, Leduc, Beaumont, Spruce Grove, and Fort Saskatchewan) for 8 or more consecutive weeks within a single term and taking no other classes on campus
Documents Required: documents showing that the Practicum location is outside the boundaries of the participating municipalities for 8 or more consecutive weeks and taking no other on campus class
Documents Required: Written confirmation on official letterhead of employment.
A MacEwan Full Time Permanent Staff or Faculty.
Documents Required: Written confirmation on official letterhead of employment that the employee is full time and continuing or faculty
A student who is double enrolled at MacEwan and another U-Pass partner school (University of Alberta, NAIT, or NorQuest College) and charged a U-pass from each school can apply to opt out of one
Documents Required: Receipt showing Name, ID, term and U-Pass fee from partner school
Documents Required: Image of Government issued picture ID to verify.
Registered in the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program during the school Term
Documents Required: AISH verification letter (contact your AISH worker, or visit https://www.alberta.ca/contact-aish.aspx to request)
Living greater than 100km radius from MacEwan during the school term and driving in to where in-person classes are delivered