Program Details

U-Pass BC Agreement  [January 28, 2011]

The final version of the new U-Pass BC contract is more than 20 pages and many sections use technical or convoluted language. We feel that it is important for students to know what all of the terms and conditions of this new program are.

On this page you will find a condensed interpretation of the contract. It is broken down to paraphrase each section of the contract that will be the most relevant for Kwantlen students. This page is a condensed interpretation of the contract. It paraphrases only the clauses relevant and most likely to be of interest to Kwantlen students.

 

The Deal

  • The U-Pass BC contract is between TransLink, KPU, and KSA.
  • Two agreements are required: U-Pass BC contract and Risk Mitigation Agreement.
  • The Risk Mitigation Agreement is between KPU, KSA and the Province. It sets out rules for how the U-Pass BC fee is collected and the passes distributed. The purpose is to make it hard for students to sign up for classes only to get a U-Pass BC, then withdraw.

 

Benefits

  • Can be used for buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, discounts on West Coast Express, and HandyDart for people with disabilities.
  • Your KPU student ID is required as proof that you are allowed to use a U-Pass BC. You can be fined by Transit Police for failing to provide both.

 

Fees, Finances

  • U-Pass BC is $30/month.
  • Replacement fee for a U-Pass BC is $35 if the card is lost.
  • Replacement fee for a damaged U-Pass BC is $10.
  • KPU and KSA are not allowed to provide a subsidy to any students, except for cases of financial hardship.
  • KPU or KSA can have program audited, if they are willing to pay the cost.
  • If service is interrupted for more than three days, a prorated refund will be issued to KPU.
  • If any greenhouse gas credits result from the program, TransLink keeps them all.

 

Eligibility, Opt-ins, Opt-outs

  • The U-Pass BC program is mandatory for all eligible students - almost everyone.
  • An eligible student is anyone who is enrolled in at least three credits or whose tuition totals more than the cost of full price three zone passes.
  • Students can be opted in, but only if all students in their program or category are also opted in - it's all or none.
  • Students can be opted out, but only if all students in their program or category are also opted out - it's all or none.
  • Students automatically excluded are those who live outside the Metro Vancouver region and aren't taking classes on campus (online or offsite classes).
  • Students may become exempt from the program if: they already get a U-Pass from another school: they get a transit pass from somewhere else (such as an employee benefit from work): they have a disability that cannot be accommodated by TransLink.
  • The University is able to define additional exemption categories as long as these additional categories do not cause the total number of exempt students to exceed 1% of eligible students.
  • If a student commits fraud or abuses the U-Pass BC program, they could be banned from the program.
  • If a student gets caught on transit without their U-Pass BC or student ID, they will have to pay full fare and will probably get a fine. There are no refunds if they find their U-Pass BC or student ID after paying or after the fine is issued.

 

Limits

  • KPU is allowed to exempt a maximum 5% of students.
  • If any passes go missing over 1% of the number of eligible students, KPU has to pay TransLink a blended rate ($103.00) for every missing U-Pass BC.
  • KPU may exempt certain students for special cases as long as these do not account for more than 1% of eligible students.
  • The number of U-Pass BC replaced due to being lost or stolen must not be more than 2% of the total number of passes.

 

Communication

  • KPU and the KSA must help TransLink distribute route and schedule information about transit service to students.
  • KPU and KSA are also required to explain to students why it is a mandatory program and why it is important to not sell the pass or do anything else illegal that would undermine the program.
  • KPU and KSA are required to share information with TransLink that would help them assess demand for service.
  • TransLink is required to tell KPU and KSA if there is any significant change in service.
  • Sponsorship of the U-Pass BC program is not allowed - no advertising on the pass or any of the material associated with it.
  • KPU is required to do huge piles of paperwork.
  • There will be a U-Pass BC Program Advisory Committee. It will monitor the impact and effectiveness of the program, work on service issues, consider contract amendments, and help get ready for the new electronic cards.

 

Term, Dates, Deadlines

  • The contract expires on March 31, 2013.
  • Six months written notice is needed in order to cancel the agreement.
  • Six months notice is required to renew the contract.
  • If the rate changes, TransLink will give six months notice.
  • KPU and KSA have to give 60 days notice of whether they plan to join, or if their referendum was defeated.