The future of their U‑PASS is in your hands as an upcoming referendum will determine whether the service continues after proposed changes take effect in 2026.

At the centre of the vote is a recommended $8 increase to the per‑semester U‑PASS fee starting September 2026, raising the total from $70 to $80 per semester. With the UBCO subsidy applied, students currently pay $63, which would change to $71 if the proposal passes. The referendum also asks whether you support indexing future fees to the Adult 30‑Day Pass, a move intended to remove the need for repeated referendums on rate adjustments.  

Supporters of the “Yes” vote argue the change is crucial to preserve a service relied upon by thousands of students. The U‑PASS offers one of the most significant transportation discounts available, four months of transit for the price of one, a value that many say would be impossible to replicate without collective participation.  

Failure to approve the fee increase could put the future of the program at risk and without the U‑PASS, students could face higher transit costs and the possibility of reduced service across regional routes used heavily by the campus community.  

Advocates also emphasize that the benefits extend beyond current transit riders. Even students who normally drive can see advantages, including less congestion and more available parking on campus when more people choose the bus.  

Voting will take place online through the Student Union Okanagan’s Simply Voting platform. Additional details, including full referendum wording, are available through the SUO’s website including date and time of voting (see Referendum Question 2025/2026 - U-PASS information - Students’ Union Okanagan of UBC).

The U‑PASS is offered in partnership with BC Transit, local government partners, UBC Okanagan, and the Student Union Okanagan. The outcome of the vote will determine whether the program continues in its current form or undergoes significant changes heading into the 2026 academic year.

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