If you’re a new or returning post-secondary student in B.C., you’ve likely heard of a U-Pass BC. It’s a low-cost monthly pass that gives eligible students from participating post-secondary institutions all-zone access to bus, SeaBus, and SkyTrain services within Metro Vancouver. U-Pass BC holders are also eligible to purchase a discounted pass for West Coast Express services.

It’s truly a back-to-school essential that makes travel to and from school and other non-school related trips affordable and sustainable for students.

As an eligible U-Pass BC student, loading your U-Pass BC onto your Compass Card will become a part of your monthly routine. Follow these steps on how to set up and load your U-Pass BC:

How to set up your U-Pass BC

1. Check if you are eligible for a U-Pass BC by signing onto U-Pass BC using your student account (this is usually your student number or email and password), by reviewing the student fees paid on your tuition statement, or by contacting your school’s school’s U-Pass BC Program representative.
2. Once you’ve confirmed eligibility, purchase an Adult Compass Card (or use your existing Adult Compass Card) and link it to your U-Pass BC account. From the ‘My U-Pass BC’ page, enter the 20-digit number and the 3-digit CVN located on the back of your card. Hit the ‘Link Card’ button and you’re good to go!

We also recommend that you register your Compass Card at compasscard.ca so you can protect any stored value and other fare products if your Compass Card gets lost or stolen.

How to load your U-Pass every month

Loading your U-Pass BC is easier than answering the inevitable test questions that lie ahead in your post-secondary career. Select the month you wish to request and hit ‘Request’. That’s it! U-Pass with flying colours!

Once the system processes your request, you can load your U-Pass BC right on to your Compass Card. It can take up to 24 hours for your U-Pass BC to load onto your Compass Card, so check this off your to-do list early! When complete, your U-Pass status within your will show as “Processed”.

You must load your U-Pass every month to confirm eligibility in the program.

You can request the next month’s U-Pass BC on or after the 16^th of each month. Hot tip: set-up email or text notifications on your U-Pass BC account and/or in your calendar so you don’t forget!

What if I lose my Compass Card?

If you lose your Compass Card with your U-Pass BC loaded onto it, don’t worry! You can easily transfer your U-Pass BC onto a new Compass Card. Make sure to unlink and deactivate the lost card right away to prevent someone else from using it. Then follow these steps:

1. Purchase a new Adult Compass Card from a CVM, online, at participating retail stores, or by calling TransLink’s Customer Service Centre.
2. Log in to your U-Pass BC account and go to the ‘Unlink Compass Card’ page under the ‘My U-Pass BC’ tab.
3. Hit ‘Confirm’ and follow the steps. Input the 20-digit number and the 3-digit CVN from the back of your new card.

Note that if you report your Compass Card lost or stolen, it will be deactivated and you will be unable to relink your U-Pass BC to that card. If you have any stored value or other fare products on your lost Compass Card, you can also transfer them to your new one at compasscard.ca.

If you have any issues or require assistance loading your U-Pass BC, first check your eligibility status (see steps above), and then if needed contact Compass Customer Service.

Welcome back to school! May you make new friends, experience new adventures, and learn lots of new things. Leave it to your U-Pass BC to take you anywhere in our region to create those memories.