Opt-Out

The Universal Transit Pass (U-PASS) is a discounted fare offered through Algonquin College’s partnership with OC Transpo and the City of Ottawa. The U-Pass program is the result of a successful referendum in 2014, organized by the Algonquin Students’ Association resulting in a legally binding agreement which provides a discounted transit fare to all eligible students.

The U-Pass is a mandatory fee for all eligible students.

Although the U-Pass program is mandatory for all full-time Algonquin College students at the Ottawa Campus, there are some cases where you may Opt-Out. The categories in which a student may Opt-Out of the U-Pass with a full or partial U-Pass fee assessment are detailed below. Please review the categories to determine opt-out eligibility. The U-Pass Opt-Out Application is available through the Case Management System. Need help? We’ve got detailed instructions below.

If you received confirmation that your U-Pass Opt-Out Application request for the 2024 Fall semester was approved, you do not need to resubmit another request.

U-Pass Opt-Out applications are reviewed each academic year, so be sure to resubmit a new application in 2025 Fall.

Reside outside OC Transpo Service Area

Students, who reside outside the OC Transpo service area, are eligible to opt-out of the U-Pass. However, students must provide satisfactory proof of residency to Algonquin College.

Required documentation is required:

A utility bill (i.e. hydro, cable, phone) that has been issued within the past two months which matches the address on your licence.
A driver’s licence, or tenancy agreement relating to leased premises located outside of the OC Transpo Service Area.

Please note: the utility bill does not need to be addressed to the applicant. (For example a parent’s utility bill).

Reside outside STO Service Area

Students who reside outside the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) service area are eligible to opt-out of the U-Pass. However, students must provide satisfactory proof of residency to Algonquin College.

Required Supporting documentation is required:

A utility bill (i.e. hydro, cable, phone) that has been issued within the past two months which matches the address on your licence.
A driver’s licence, or tenancy agreement relating to leased premises located outside of the OC Transpo Service Area.

Please note: the utility bill does not need to be addressed to the applicant. (For example a parent’s utility bill).

Studying outside OC Transpo Service Area for more than 60 days

Students who are studying or participating in an internship, conducting research or co-operative work program outside of the OC Transpo/STO Service Area for more than 60 days in a term are eligible the following supporting documentation is required.

A signed letter or email from your co-op supervisor indicating the exact address of the location of your placement, confirming the amount of days per week you’re required to work in-person, from the Office location or confirming that your co-op term is fully remote.

Valid U-Pass issued from another Post-Secondary Institution

Students who hold a valid U-Pass issued from another post-secondary institution located within the City of Ottawa. Please provide a scanned copy of your other U-Pass with your U-Pass Opt-Out Application available in ACSIS.

Registered with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind

Students who are issued a bus pass through the CNIB should provide their CNIB number with your U-Pass Opt-Out Application.

Para Transpo Registrant who resides in Rural Transit Area A

Students, who reside are registered with Para Transpo but reside in Rural Transit Area A, students must provide satisfactory proof of residency to Algonquin College. Students must provide proof of being a Para Transpo Registrant and proof of residency within the Rural Transit Area A are eligible to Opt-Out

Required documentation is as follows:

Proof of being a Para Transpo Registrant
Proof of residency within the Rural Transit A. Proof of residency may be a utility, cable or phone bill that has the student’s name on it. The address on the documentation must be located within Rural Transit Area A.

Other (Formal documentation that specifies inability to use Public Transportation)

Students who have a medical exception or an extenuating situation may be eligible to Opt-Out providing that appropriate supporting documentation is provided. These exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Opt-Out Fee Assessment

The fee assessments will be applied to any outstanding balance remaining on the student’s account. Students who have no outstanding balance will have a cheque sent to their current mailing address. Please ensure that your current mailing address is up-to-date in ACSIS. Please check on ACSIS that the amount has been refunded to your account.

Opt-Out Application Refunds (within 10 Business Days)

Students who complete the opt-out application or become ineligible within 10 business days from the start date of their program are entitled to a 100% fee assessment of their U-Pass Fee.

Opt-Out Application Refunds (after 10 Business Days)

Students who complete the opt-out application or become ineligible after 10 business days from the start date of their program are entitled to a pro-rated fee assessment basis on the date the application is submitted to the College.

Opt-Out Application Form

We’ve updated the process to opt out from our U-Pass program. Here’s how you do it:

Go to the Create a Case link.
Sign on using your AC email or Google account, or create an account using a different email (if you’re already signed in, you will skip this step).
Select ‘Forms’ from the Topic List and ‘U-Pass Opt Out’ as the Category.
Complete all the relevant/required fields and attach any documents.
Submit!

Important note: If you received confirmation that your U-Pass Opt-Out Application request for the 2024 Fall semester was approved, you do not need to resubmit another request.