U-Pass Referendum

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Vote on the Spring Term U-Pass Referendum. Your vote counts on June 7-11!

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.

Currently, there is no Spring term (May – August) U-Pass offered at NAIT. We want to hear from you if you’d like this service. Make your voice heard and vote! Voting will be open from June 7 -11, 2025. An email will be sent to all spring term students, with a link to Simply Voting, where you can cast your vote.

If this Spring Term U-Pass Referendum passes then those students enrolled would have a U-Pass valid for transit service May 1 – August 31, 2026.

*** Please note that the transit service offerings provided by ETS and surrounding municipalities are less frequent during May – August. We encourage you to check your nearest transit website for current spring offerings.

Spring Term U-Pass Referendum Information

The Spring Term U-Pass Referendum contains the following key information:

  • If voted yes it would be in effect for the 2026-2028 period. If voted no, there will be no U-Pass offered from May-August at NAIT.
  • Exemptions stay the same as the fall and winter terms.
  • ETS service offerings are less frequent May-August; however, the U-Pass will still operate in the following transit locations: Edmonton Transit, St. Albert Transit, Strathcona County Transit, Spruce Grove Transit, Leduc Transit, Beaumont Transit and Fort Saskatchewan Transit.
  • 10% of students must vote, and two-thirds of those who vote must vote “Yes” for the referendum to pass.
If the spring term u-pass referendum passes, how much will the U-Pass cost?
  • Spring Term 2026: $180.00
  • Spring Term 2027: $182.50
  • Spring Term 2028: $185.00
Exemptions

If the Spring Term U-Pass Referendum passes, it will follow the same criteria for eligibility and exemptions as the Fall and Winter U-Pass. Therefore, the U-Pass will remain mandatory for all credit, on-campus students at NAIT. Those who are ineligible for the U-Pass are as follows:

  • 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,
  • Students who work as transit staff.
  • Students who have a U-Pass from another provider for the same term.
  • Students who are on a practicum outside the service areas for longer than eight weeks per term.

Spring Term U-Pass Referendum FAQs

WHEN DOES VOTING TAKE PLACE?
Voting takes place online from June 7 – 11, 2025
How long will the spring contract last?

For 3 years 2026-2028, during the months of May-August.

IS U-PASS A LARGE DISCOUNT?
Monthly passes are no longer available and have been replaced by Arc cards with a monthly fare cap. The estimated discount over current rates ranges from 38% to 63%.

These discounts are expected to grow as Arc fare caps increase in the coming years.

HOW LONG WILL THE SPRING CONTRACT LAST?
For 3 years 2026-2028, during the months of May-August.
IS U-PASS A LARGE DISCOUNT?
Monthly passes are no longer available and have been replaced by Arc cards with a monthly fare cap. The estimated discount over current rates ranges from 38% to 63%.

These discounts are expected to grow as Arc fare caps increase in the coming years.

Who will qualify for the Spring Term U-Pass?

If the referendum passes, NAIT students taking Spring classes must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the Spring Term U-Pass, starting May 2026:

  • At least one credit class with an on-campus component (lab, lecture, exam);
  • The on-campus credit class must start before the last Friday of May.
If approved, when can I start using my Spring Term U-Pass?
If the Spring Term U-Pass Referendum passes, it will take effect in May 2026. In this case, starting in the 2026 Spring term, qualifying NAIT students will be charged the U-Pass fee, which will work from May 1 to August 31.
When will the exemption deadline be for the Spring Term U-Pass?
The Spring Term U-Pass exemption deadline will be the last Friday of May, at 4 PM.
If my classes end in June, will my U-Pass only work until June?
If the Spring Term U-Pass Referendum passes, the U-Pass will work for qualifying students from May 1 to August 31, regardless of when their classes end.
If I start my classes in July (Summer term only), will I get the Spring Term U-Pass?
No. To be eligible for the Spring Term U-Pass, students must be enrolled in a Spring term class.
Why can’t I get a U-Pass if I have classes starting in July?
The U-Pass Program is governed by the rules agreed on and stipulated by the U-Pass Advisory Committee in the U-Pass Contract. The U-Pass Committee has representatives from all seven participating municipalities (Edmonton, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Strathcona County, Beaumont, and Fort Saskatchewan) and five participating post-secondary institutions (NAIT, MacEwan, University of Alberta, NorQuest, and Concordia). Currently, the contract only offers a 4-month option.
Can students get a 2-month U-Pass option? For May/June and another one for July/August?
Currently, municipalities participating in the U-Pass program do not offer a 2-month option. If this referendum passes, the Spring Term U-Pass would only be applicable for May-start students.
If I do not qualify for the Spring Term U-Pass and want it, can I opt in to get it?
No. Like the Fall and Winter Term U-Pass, students must meet the criteria stipulated in the U-Pass contract; therefore, students who do not qualify for it cannot opt in to the program.
What do I need to know when deciding how to vote for the Spring Term U-Pass?
  • NAIT is the only institution in the U-Pass consortium that is not currently offering a Spring Term U-Pass for its students;
  • Students should know that transit services to NAIT by Edmonton Transit and regional providers are significantly reduced during these months, but the fares remain the same;
  • Qualifying students will get a 4-month pass, regardless of when their classes end.
I’ve already voted in the U-Pass referendum back in Feb/2025. Why do I need to vote again?

The February 2025 referendum was held for students to vote on the U-Pass for the Fall and Winter terms. We are now inviting students enrolled in the Spring term to vote on whether the U-Pass should be offered for future Spring terms (2026, 2027, and 2028). Students must approve the extension of the U-Pass to the Spring term via a referendum.

If you are eligible to vote, you will receive an email to vote between June 7 and June 11 at 4 PM.

What kind of transit service can I expect during May-August?
Students should know that transit services to NAIT by Edmonton Transit and regional providers are significantly reduced during these months, but the fares remain the same. That is due to the decline in student population using public transportation compared to the Fall and Winter terms. We encourage all students to check with their municipality’s Transit Authority for the frequency of service offered during that period and how that may impact their commute.