Eligible U of G students will be given access to unlimited transportation across the city through their ID cards
Effective Jan. 1, 2022, U of G students will be eligible for the Guelph Transit UPASS featuring a brand new tap system.
Students have not had access to a university bus pass since before the pandemic due to the expiration of the school’s previous bus pass contract with the City of Guelph.
Following a referendum held during the 2021 fall semester by the Central Student Association (CSA), students voted to reinstate the Universal Bus Pass, which will be charged to most tuition-paying students. This pass gives students access to as many rides on the Guelph Transit bus as they want until the end of the semester.
Students who’ve been at the U of G for several years might remember the sticker system for the UPASS. However, the CSA website states that this system will no longer be in place.
Any student who will be charged for the bus pass fee in their tuition will only need to tap their student ID card on the HID reader located at the right side of the bus upon boarding. The HID reader will confirm the card with a beep, the farebox screen will display a validity message, and the student will be ready to ride.
Co-op and distance education (DE) students will not be billed the bus pass fee, but they can still choose to opt in through the CSA.
To do so, students must visit the CSA office at room 274 in the University Centre between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays or between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Bus passes can be purchased from the CSA office from Jan. 10 until Feb. 1, 2022, and a cash payment of $151 will be required at the time of purchase. The UPASS may then take up to 24 hours to start working.
If students lose their student ID, they can visit the Campus Card website for information on how to get a replacement. Lost or stolen cards must be deactivated to access the Guelph Transit via their replacement ID.
Please visit www.theontarion.com/submit to find out how you can share your work with The Ontarion.