Unlimited transportation for the academic year
We believe it to be of utmost importance for our members to have an economical, reliable, and safe way of getting around while being a student at Lakehead University. Through LUSU’s negotiations with both Thunder Bay and Orillia’s public transit departments, we have secured a Universal Bus Pass (U-Pass), which allows all students to access unlimited use of public transit systems during the academic year. With our collective purchasing power, we can secure transit rates significantly lower than what students would have to pay if buying a regular city bus pass.
- Saves you lots of money
- Don’t have to worry finding a parking spot, especially when you’re running late to get to class (we’ve all been there)!
- Safe, reliable ride home from events, parties, and clubs
- Reduced demand for parking = more green space on campus!
- Even if you have a car, a great back-up plan for if you ever run into car troubles
- Everyone’s participation means reducing costs and barriers for all in getting an education
Once LUSU representatives are confident in a proposed agreement, a referendum is called for students to vote, raise concerns, and ask for more information. Each member vote holds equal weight and is counted. If the vote is passed, the Board of Directors enters into a contract on behalf of all students, and secures a yearly fixed rate in exchange for a guaranteed level of enrolment into the bus pass. If the vote fails, students can decide if they prefer to abandon the bus pass service entirely, or can compel their elected representatives to explore other options or renegotiate another agreement that better serves them.
If you are an undergraduate student registered in at least 3.75 FCE by the Final Date to Register in September, you should automatically be enrolled in the uPass.
To ensure you are enrolled, check your statement on MyInfo to check if you have been charged the uPass Fee.
You can get this by logging into MyInfo, then selecting: Student > My Financial Profile (not Financial Aid) > My Statement of Account > Current Year. Does it show on this PDF summary that you were charged for the “LUSU Student Bus Pass” (or similar) for $252.00. If so, good – this is the document you need.
Note that we must see your name and student number as well as the uPass charge on the document you submit.
If you are a part-time or graduate student who has not been automatically enrolled in the u-pass, don’t worry. You can opt-in at any time by visiting the LUSU office.
Yes. Here’s why: The uPass is not transferable. Only YOU can use it. If your student card image is blurry, damaged, or otherwise unidentifiable – or if they have a reason to believe it is not you – they may ask for another form of identification.
If they find that someone other than yourself is using your uPass, they will confiscate your card, and the person using your card will have to pay the regular cash fare. In the event that your uPass is confiscated, the city will return it to LUSU and provide an explanation for the confiscation. This process helps us protect our uPass program in remaining accessible for all students. As per our terms and conditions with the public transit departments, fraudulent misuse results in individual expulsion from the uPass program. Fraudulent misuse is defined but not limited to; using a fake or counterfeit uPass sticker, selling your uPass, or lending out your uPass.
The U-Pass is Valid starting September 1 and expires on August 31 of the following year.
Winter / Spring / Summer passes are valid on the date of purchase and expire on August 31.
If you lose your student ID card, you must first replace it at the Lakehead University Bookstore.
Once you have your new card, visit the LUSU office to get a replacement sticker.
PLEASE NOTE: A fee may be charged for each replacement. Remember to check your campus (Thunder Bay or Orillia) u-pass page for more details.
Not only do you save a significant amount of money (it costs a percentage of what a yearly pass would cost), but it’s also a safe way to ride home from events, parties, and clubs. Plus, a reduced demand for parking helps to maintain the green space on campus. You’ll also never be left stranded, especially in the winter—it’s a great backup plan for when your car doesn’t start!
Everyone’s participation in the program helps reduce the costs for all students and reduces barriers to education.