U-Pass Referendum
Vote on the U-Pass Referendum. Your vote counts on Feb 7 – 13!
The Universal Pass (U-Pass) originally piloted in 2010, championed the goal of offering a lower cost transportation option to students, reducing traffic congestion and lowering vehicle emissions, increasing transit ridership, and improving the mobility and transit access of students within the Edmonton region.
The current 2021-2024 U-Pass Agreements expire on August 31, 2025 and negotiations have been underway for the 2025-2028 U-Pass Agreements. These negotiations have resulted in a number of principles all the Parties to the U-Pass Agreements agree we should work towards. The parties include NAIT, University of Alberta, MacEwan University, Concordia University, and Norquest College.
Voting will take place from February 7-13, 2025 alongside the NAITSA Executive Council election. An email will be sent to you with a link to cast your vote.
How long is the new U-Pass proposed contract for?
The new U-Pass contract contains the following key conditions:
- U-Pass 2025-2028 Fee (see below for more information)
- Exemption Proposal (see below for more information)
- U-Pass would provide unlimited regular usage of Edmonton Transit, St. Albert Transit, Strathcona County Transit, Spruce Grove Transit, Leduc Transit, Beaumont Transit and Fort Saskatchewan Transit during the fall and/or winter semesters.
- 10% of students must vote, and two-thirds of those who vote must vote “Yes” for the referendum to pass.
U-PASS 2025-2028 FEE
Update the Agreements with new U-Pass fee amounts:
- 2025-2026 – $180.00 per Participating Student per School Term (No increase, same rate as previous year);
- 2026-2027 – $182.50 per Participating Student per School Term; and
- 2027-2028 – $185.00 per Participating Student per School Term.
Exemptions
U-Pass will remain mandatory for all credit, on-campus students at NAIT, with the following exceptions:
- Apprentices
- Students who take all of their classes online. (Note: this means there is no on-campus component such as labs, lectures, exams, etc.).
- Non-credit students (For example: ESL, Continuing Education).
- Students whose courses begin after the exemption deadlines.
The following students will be able to request an exemption:
- Seniors
- Those receiving financial assistance from AISH
- Students who live greater than a 100km radius away from NAIT campus where their in-person classes are delivered.
Students who have a valid CNIB registration, DATS, SCAT or Handibus registration, work for one of the transit services, have a U-Pass from another provider or have a practicum outside of the service area for longer than eight weeks per term, will still be able to request an exemption of U-Pass.
U-Pass Referendum FAQs
WHEN DOES VOTING TAKE PLACE?
Voting takes place online from February 7-13, 2025.
HOW LONG IS THE NEW U-PASS CONTRACT?
3 years, starting September 2025.
If the referendum passes, what will the U-Pass cost?
Update the Agreements with new U-Pass fee amounts:
- 2025-2026 – $180.00 per Fall/Winter terms (No increase, same rate as previous year);
- 2026-2027 – $182.50 per Fall/Winter terms; and
- 2027-2028 – $185.00 per Fall/Winter terms.
IS U-PASS A LARGE DISCOUNT?
These discounts are expected to grow as Arc fare caps increase in the coming years.