U-Pass

UPDATE: For students registered with accessibility services who wish to opt-in, please fill out this form here: U-Pass Registered with Accessibility Services form

U-Pass

The U-Pass is a universal bus pass program where all full-time University of Winnipeg students pay a fee at the beginning of each term and receive an unlimited access bus pass for the Fall and/or Winter Term (September – December / January – April) at a subsidized rate.

Read more about the history of the U-Pass here: U-Pass History

Usage + Who receives it

  • In Fall 2019, approximately 6000 U-Passes were activated at University of Winnipeg According to Winnipeg Transit’s review in 2017 and 2018. Approx. 90% of students used a U-Pass, with 53% using it on a daily basis or more.
  • All full-time University of Winnipeg students (9 credit hours or more in one term) are enrolled in the U-Pass program. In addition, users and students residing outside city limits have the option to Opt-Out of the U-Pass.
  • Transit Plus users can use their U-Pass to access Transit Plus Services. This means, Transit Plus users will be assessed the U-Pass fee each term they are full-time students. Transit Plus users may have the option to opt-out, as well. If you have been assessed the fee for September 2026, please contact the Retail Assistant, Natsha Ohai, at n.ohai@theuwsa.ca.

How much does the U-Pass Cost?

  • 2026/27 U-Pass fees (presently a 26% discount from the Post-Secondary Semester Pass and 50% discount from the Full Adult Bus Fare).
    • $238.70 per term

The cost of the U-Pass is will be adjusted annually to maintain a 50% discount from the Full Adult Transit Fare. The rate of discount from a Post-Secondary Semester Pass (presently 26%) could fluctuate as annual rate changes typically occur, although we believe this level of discount should be generally stable.

Opting-In /Opting-Out

Deadlines for opting out:

  • Fall Term: August 6 – September 22, 2026
  • Winter Term Deadline: TBA

To opt out, please fill and print this form and bring it to the UWSA Info Booth before the deadline. U-Pass Opt-Out Application Form

Those that are eligible are:

  1. A student who lives outside the City of Winnipeg boundaries as indicated in the map featured.
  2. A student who is registered with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind
  3. A student who is a Winnipeg Transit Employee
  4. A student who will be studying outside of Canada for more than sixty (60) days per term
  5. A student who will be participating in an internship, cooperative program, or research outside the City of Winnipeg boundaries for more than sixty (60) days per term.
  6. A student who holds a valid U-Pass from another post-secondary institution
  7. A student who is a Winnipeg transit plus user and is eligible for free transportation on the fixed route Winnipeg Transit system.

Enrollment for full-time students is mandatory, as per the student referendum and legal Winnipeg City Council directive. There are exemptions that apply for some students.

Students who are being assessed U-Pass fees and who meet one of the following criteria may opt out of the program:

  1. A student who lives outside the City of Winnipeg boundaries
  2. A student who is registered with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind
  3. A student who is a Winnipeg Transit Employee
  4. A student who will be studying outside of Canada for more than sixty (60) days per term
  5. A student who will be participating in an internship, cooperative program, or research outside the City of Winnipeg boundaries for more than sixty (60) days per term.
  6. A student who holds a valid U-Pass from another post-secondary institution
  7. A student who is a registered Handi-Transit user
    (Handi Transit users can use their U-Pass to access Handi Transit Services. This means Handi Transit users will be assessed the U-Pass fee each term they are full-time students. Handi Transit users do have the option to opt-out, as well.)

Appeal Form

To appeal an opt-out, please fill and print this form, and bring it to UWSA Info Booth before the deadline: U-Pass Appeal Form

If you have missed the opt-out deadline, you can submit an appeal for consideration. Please fill out the Appeal Form listed below and submit to the UWSA Info Booth located in Centennial Hall on the first-floor before the appeal deadline.

If you have a question about your opt-out, you can email u-pass@theuwsa.ca

Student Initiative

This U-Pass is a student-led initiative spearheaded by students at the UWSA in 2014, mirroring U-Pass programs practiced across Canada. University of Winnipeg students voted and passed in a referendum on October 29, 2014, with a majority vote of 81.7% in favour of establishing a U-Pass.

How to pick-up your U-Pass

All University of Winnipeg students will need to head to the UWSA Info Booth starting the second week of August to receive their new Transit U-Pass sticker for the 2024-2025 year. If you’re a new University of Winnipeg student, you will also receive a U-Pass Peggo Card. If you already have an existing U-Pass Peggo Card, you will only be receiving a new transit U-Pass sticker.

Lost or Defective Peggo Card?

Students with lost or defective Peggo cards can now make an appointment to schedule to pick up replacement cards. Replacement cards cost $15, and only contactless debit/credit card payments will be accepted.

Who do I contact with questions?

Students can visit Info Booth on the main floor of Centennial Hall. Students can also e-mail Info Booth staff with their U-Pass and Winnipeg Transit concerns at u-pass@theuwsa.ca.

When emailing us about lost or defective Peggo and Post-Secondary Cards, please mention the following:

  • Full Name
  • Student Number
  • Contact Details
  • Details of the Issue

Other important information:

Your U of W Student ID with the transit sticker is required when boarding a transit bus to utilize the U-Pass or a post-secondary pass.  If the appropriate University of Winnipeg Student ID is not presented, students risk confiscation of their U-Pass. Students are not to sell, or give away their U-Pass or post-secondary pass, as the penalty could be confiscation of the pass and possible fines.

Get in touch!

Email us with your questions u-pass@theuwsa.ca or click here to ask right away.

Peggo issues and errors

If farebox does not accept your Peggo, try to scan your pass a second time. If your Peggo still won’t scan, bus drivers will accept your Peggo card as a flash pass when used together with your student ID with valid transit sticker.  Contact Info Booth at infobooth@theuwsa.ca to troubleshoot lost and defective Peggo cards.

Quick History of U-Pass Fees:

  • The U-Pass launched at $130 per term for the 2016/2017 Fall/Winter terms.
  • The U-Pass fee for Fall 2019, Winter 2020, the last term it was active, was $136.25 per term.
  • The last approved U-Pass fee for Fall, 2020 was $160.75 per term.
  • The U-Pass fee for Fall, 2022 is $212 per term.

Read more about the history of the U-Pass here: U-Pass History

Have a question about the U-Pass? Check out our FAQ page!

Past Initiatives

UWSA Transit Subsidy Program:

The U-Pass program is suspended for the 2021-22 academic year but students-in-need can now apply for a UWSA Transit Subsidy through the University of Winnipeg awards office. This subsidy will reimburse towards the cost difference roughly equivalent ($83) to the projected cost of the UWSA U-Pass for full-time graduate and undergraduate University of Winnipeg students-in-need.

For information on the subsidy and the application process, please click here: UWSA Transit Subsidy Program

University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg