U-Pass Transit Program

Your first step to accessing the transit system will be to download the new transit application to your Campus Card. This can be done in-person at the Campus Card Office in room 407 Nideyinàn during office hours Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This step is essential for all students and will be required to access the services starting fall 2024. This process will permanently replace the recharging process for the blue U-Pass cards.   

Once your Campus Card has the transit application added, you will be able to board a bus or the O-Train if you are eligible for the program. Once your Campus Card has the downloaded transit application and you reach the program’s eligibility requirements, you will be automatically enrolled in the program.

New students will be required to apply online for their student ID (Campus Card) to gain access to the U-Pass program using their Campus Card. Please check for service outage notifications before travelling to campus. All customers must use the QLess system to arrange their visit. Walk ups are not permitted.

  • You may not send a friend, family member, or other third party to pick up or replace your U-Pass.
  • Government issued photo ID or your Campus Card is required.
  • NEVER throw away your U-Pass!
  • Do not bend or put holes in your U-Pass. Damaged U-Passes cost $44 to replace.

Distribution Dates

Locations to Upload the U-Pass to your Campus Card

Name Location Hours
The Campus Card Office 407 Nideyinàn 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Monday – Friday)

Extended Hours

8:30 AM- 6 PM (Thursday August 29th and Friday August 30th)

10 AM – 4 PM (Saturday August 31st – Sunday September 1st)

8:30 AM – 8 PM (Tuesday September 3rd – Friday September 6th)

The Registrar’s Office 300 Tory Building 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Monday – Friday)
Residence Reception Desk Teraanga Commons 7:30 AM – 10 PM (Everyday)
Athletics Welcome Centre Alumni Hall 6 AM – 10 PM (Monday – Friday)

8 AM – 10 PM (Saturday – Sunday)

Using your Campus Card on Transit 

When you first use your Campus Card to access a bus or train, please hold the card on the terminal until you receive a response from the terminal. During this initial tap the card is being loaded with your term pass and may take up to 10 seconds for this first interaction.  

After your first tap, simply tap your card on the reader as usual for subsequent rides.  

Please do not discard your Campus Card at the end of the pass period. This card is intended to last for the duration of your degree and can also be used for other services such as building access and purchasing items or food on campus. If you discard or damage your Campus Card, you will be required to pay a replacement fee of $44. Damage includes, but is not limited to, punching holes in the card or severely bending or denting it.  

Opt-Out Process

Replacement Cards

Eligible students who lose or damage their Campus Card should come to the Campus Card Office (407 Nideyinàn) to replace it. Please review the process for visiting the Campus Card Office – we are not accepting walk ins at the current time.

Visit the Campus Card Office

There is a fee of $44 for a replacement Campus Card. This fee is non-refundable, and once your Campus Card is replaced, your old card will be deactivated permanently. Old cards cannot be reactivated and should be destroyed.

If the card malfunctions, the Campus Card Office will test it to verify whether the card is in working order. If we verify it is malfunctioning (not due to unreasonable wear and tear), it will be replaced for free.

Name Changes

If you just added your Chosen name through Carleton Central, or legally changed your name with the Registrar’s Office, you are entitled to a free replacement of your Campus Card and U-Pass.

Requirements:

  1. Allow one business day for the change to show in our system, and then come to the Campus Card Office during our hours of operation with government issued photo ID. If this is a legal name change, your ID must match your new name.
  2. You must be eligible for the U-Pass program.
  3. If already picked up a Campus Card previously, you will need to give back the old one to get the new one free!