Student Life U-Pass BC
U-Pass BC Program
U-Pass BC is a student transit program delivered in partnership by the Langara Student’s Union, TransLink, and the Ministry of Transportation. Eligible students will have access to a three-zone pass valid for unlimited use on TransLink bus, SkyTrain, and Seabus services at an affordable rate, which is automatically added to fees upon registration. As part of program conditions, participation is mandatory for all students who qualify.
Compass Card
To begin using U-Pass BC, you will need to obtain a Compass Card if you do not already have one. Once you have your card, you can log into the U-Pass BC website using your Langara Credentials to activate your pass. When loading is complete, you will be able to tap in and tap out of transit with your Compass Card for travel in that month. On or after the 16th of every month, simply go back onto the website and request activation for the following month.
You can also get your Compass Cards at The Langara Bookstore.
Using your U-Pass
Please request your U-Pass BC as early as possible, ideally before the end of the month, as it may take up to 24 hours to take effect.
Your U-Pass BC is valid for travel in the month requested across all zones on TransLink service region buses, SeaBus, and SkyTrain, and for discounted fares on West Coast Express.
You will need to carry a valid Langara Student ID card whenever you are using U-Pass BC. If you do not have one or need it replaced, please visit Information Technology.
The deadline for U-Pass BC exemption for the Fall Semester 2025 is Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Your request will be reviewed after this deadline and you will be informated of a final decision via email.
Students who are assessed student union fees, and;
- Students enrolled in an on-campus Regular Studies course, practicum, or co-op (minimum three credits); or
- Students enrolled in a full-time, on-campus section of one of the following Continuing Studies programs: Registered Massage Therapy, Supply Chain and Logistics, 2D Animation and 3D Animation; or
- Students registered in at least three credits of Regular Studies (not including online, Guided Independent Studies, Field School, Flexible Assessment, Excluded or Adult Basic Education / Preparatory courses).
Furthermore, any student who has dropped or withdrawn from all eligible courses during the term will cease to be eligible for the program.
Exemptions
Langara’s agreement with TransLink allows for students to be ineligible or exempted in very specific and limited situations. These include:
- students registered in fewer than three credits
- students who hold a valid U-Pass BC from another post-secondary institution for the duration of the applicable semester
- students who hold a valid transit pass (not including a monthly pass) for the duration of the applicable semester
- students who are permanently or temporarily disabled and whose physical or cognitive barriers cannot be accommodated by using the U-Pass BC benefits
- students who do not reside in and do not attend on-campus classes in Metro Vancouver
* *Metro Vancouver includes the following regions as outlined in Metro Vancouver Member Municipalities: Anmore, Belcarra, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Electoral Area A, Langley, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Tsawwassen First Nation, Vancouver, West Vancouver, White Rock.
While the TransLink agreement permits additional "optional exemptions" at Langara's discretion, the number of students exempted under this category cannot exceed one percent of total eligible students according to the agreement with TransLink and is therefore reserved for very specific cases.
In the past, Langara has tried to be accommodating with opt-out requests. In the current environment, we cannot continue with past practice and remain under the one percent optional exemption limit. Effective Spring Semester 2021, student opt-out requests will be carefully reviewed, and only approved in truly exceptional circumstances. This does mean some students who have been permitted to opt out in the past will no longer be exempted.
An optional exemption will not be approved for the following reasons:
- students enrolled in a single course with on-campus classes scheduled for only one day per week
- students enrolled in an off-campus or online co-op or practicum term
- Langara employees who are also students
If you have any questions about your eligibility, please email upass_admin [at] langara.ca (upass_admin[at]langara[dot]ca).
The deadline for U-Pass BC exemption for the Fall Semester 2025 is Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Your request will be reviewed after this deadline and you will be informated of a final decision via email.
Important Notes:
- Activating the U-Pass for an eligible month will prohibit the system from allowing an exemption for that month and a refund cannot be processed.
- Exemption requests are valid for the requested semester only and do not automatically carry over to future terms. Students must request an exemption for each semester they are eligible for U-Pass.
- Prior exemption approvals do not guarantee future approvals.
- The exemption may be reversed if students subsequently register for an eligible course after an exemption was processed.
- Should an exemption be issued after paying the full tuition and fees for the semester, domestic students will be issued a refund cheque during the fifth week of classes as per Langara’s refund policy. International students' balances will remain on their accounts for future use, or they may contact the Student Accounts Department to request a refund.
Download the Medical Exemption Request Form..
Download the Fall 2025 Exemption Request Form.
Download the Medical Exemption Request Form.
