WINTER 2025 TERM U-Pass Activations

CSA executive director and office coordinator will be verifying and activating the U-pass on your Arc Card starting from
January 6, 2025 at the BOLT office from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
January 6, 2025 at the BOLT office from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
- All you need is to show valid student ID# or proof you registered into a credit course for Winter Term and an Arc Card .
- If you don’t already have an ARC card, you can purchase one for $6 on campus at CSA office.
- If you lose your ARC card after activation, a replacement will cost $10.
- The opt-out deadline for U-Pass is Monday, January 20, 2025.
OPT-OUT Process:
*PAST DEADLINE*
*PAST DEADLINE*
Opt-out criteria are based on specific circumstances, and as such, the following students are eligible for the U-Pass opt-out option:
1. Students with a valid registration in the following services:**
3. Students currently employed by a participating transit system.
4. Students registered and have received a U-Pass at another participating institution.
The deadline for opting out is January 20th for the winter term. Please ensure that you provide the required documents to the CSA or GSA offices in accordance with their policies.
Additionally the following students are eligible to request an exemption:
1. Students aged 65 or older during an academic term with government-issued picture ID for verification.
2. Students receiving financial assistance from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program immediately before an academic term begins. Please contact your AISH worker or visit [link] to request an AISH verification letter.
3. Students whose principal residence is outside a 100 km radius from the main campus. To qualify for this exemption, the student must provide proof of residency (utility bill in the student’s name, driver’s license, etc.)
We trust that these criteria cover a range of circumstances, but if you have any further questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to ensuring that the U-Pass program accommodates the diverse needs of our student body.
NOTE: Exchange students are not eligible for the Upass and can contact the International Office for information on using public transit in Edmonton.
U-Pass Contract (2025-28) and Referendum Process
The U-pass contract renewal will be effective from May 1, 2025 after our student body election referendums. The U-pass referendum will have all the information of the U-pass program. As Concordia students get a chance to choose with a vote during the Winter General Elections in March. More details of the referendum will be provided before the General Elections by the Returning Electoral Officer and Executive Council for the CSA.
Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to the outlined deadlines and procedures.
For any inquiries please email [email protected]
1. Students with a valid registration in the following services:**
- Dedicated Accessible 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
- Leduc Assisted Transportation Services (LATS) registration
3. Students currently employed by a participating transit system.
4. Students registered and have received a U-Pass at another participating institution.
The deadline for opting out is January 20th for the winter term. Please ensure that you provide the required documents to the CSA or GSA offices in accordance with their policies.
Additionally the following students are eligible to request an exemption:
1. Students aged 65 or older during an academic term with government-issued picture ID for verification.
2. Students receiving financial assistance from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program immediately before an academic term begins. Please contact your AISH worker or visit [link] to request an AISH verification letter.
3. Students whose principal residence is outside a 100 km radius from the main campus. To qualify for this exemption, the student must provide proof of residency (utility bill in the student’s name, driver’s license, etc.)
We trust that these criteria cover a range of circumstances, but if you have any further questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to ensuring that the U-Pass program accommodates the diverse needs of our student body.
NOTE: Exchange students are not eligible for the Upass and can contact the International Office for information on using public transit in Edmonton.
U-Pass Contract (2025-28) and Referendum Process
The U-pass contract renewal will be effective from May 1, 2025 after our student body election referendums. The U-pass referendum will have all the information of the U-pass program. As Concordia students get a chance to choose with a vote during the Winter General Elections in March. More details of the referendum will be provided before the General Elections by the Returning Electoral Officer and Executive Council for the CSA.
Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to the outlined deadlines and procedures.
For any inquiries please email [email protected]
What is U-Pass (Universal Transit Pass)

- U-Pass programs are a group transit pass purchase that gives students enrolled in participating post-secondary institutions unlimited access to local regular transit as well as regional transit services.
- U-Pass is available through the Arc card, which students can use to tap on/off buses and the LRT around the Edmonton region. Arc U-Pass cards are issued by participating post-secondary institutions and authorized retailers.
- U-pass details and information available at: https://www.edmonton.ca/ets/universal-transit-pass-upass
How U-pass Started at CUE?
- In March 2022 both GSA and CSA General Elections had a referendum question about U-Pass. Students from both associations voted in favor of the program. Following the referendum the U-pass program was included as topic of discussion on two CSA All-members General Meeting (AGM) on October 2022 and October 2023
- We heard from the students and started implementing the program in collaboration with GSA and CUE Administration to roll out the program for School Year 2023-24.
- From November 2022 to October 2023 , the U-pass Agreement was created, reviewed and finally signed by CSA, GSA and CUE Administration.
How much is U-Pass?
- The U-Pass charge is applicable solely to eligible on-campus credit students during the fall and winter semesters. The fee amounts to $180 for each fall and winter term.
- The U-Pass is applicable to any student enrolled in at least one on-campus credit course at CUE, irrespective of their enrollment status being either part-time or full-time.
- Both domestic and international students will be charged the U-pass Mandatory fee starting from Winter Term 2024.
1. Students with a valid registration in the following services:**
3. Students currently employed by a participating transit system.
4. Students registered and have received a U-Pass at another participating institution.
The deadline for opting out is September 20th for the fall term and January 20th for the winter term. Please ensure that you provide the required documents to the CSA or GSA offices in accordance with their policies.
- Dedicated Accessible 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
- Leduc Assisted Transportation Services (LATS) registration
3. Students currently employed by a participating transit system.
4. Students registered and have received a U-Pass at another participating institution.
The deadline for opting out is September 20th for the fall term and January 20th for the winter term. Please ensure that you provide the required documents to the CSA or GSA offices in accordance with their policies.
Opt-out criteria are based on specific circumstances, and as such,the following students are eligible for the U-Pass opt-out option:
Additionally, as part of a pilot project, the following students are eligible to request an exemption:
1. Students aged 65 or older during an academic term with government-issued picture ID for verification.
2. Students receiving financial assistance from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program immediately before an academic term begins. Please contact your AISH worker or visit [link] to request an AISH verification letter.
3. Students whose principal residence is outside a 100 km radius from the main campus. To qualify for this exemption, the student must provide proof of residency (utility bill in the student’s name, driver’s license, etc.)
We trust that these criteria cover a range of circumstances, but if you have any further questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to ensuring that the U-Pass program accommodates the diverse needs of our student body. For more U-pass information go to https://www.ourcsa.ca/u-pass.html
Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to the outlined deadlines and procedures.
2. Students receiving financial assistance from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program immediately before an academic term begins. Please contact your AISH worker or visit [link] to request an AISH verification letter.
3. Students whose principal residence is outside a 100 km radius from the main campus. To qualify for this exemption, the student must provide proof of residency (utility bill in the student’s name, driver’s license, etc.)
We trust that these criteria cover a range of circumstances, but if you have any further questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to ensuring that the U-Pass program accommodates the diverse needs of our student body. For more U-pass information go to https://www.ourcsa.ca/u-pass.html
Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to the outlined deadlines and procedures.
Place for Activation
CSA Office Room A212