Discounted Transit Passes for UBC Okanagan Faculty and Staff
ProPASS is a program offered by BC Transit and the City of Kelowna. UBCO has worked with the City of Kelowna and BC Transit to bring ProPASS to UBCO to support employees in choosing transit for their commute. As a UBC Okanagan employee, you are eligible to enroll in the ProPASS program to receive a discount on adult monthly bus passes. Enrolment is online and each pass period is for four-months, i.e. one term at a time.
New to the UBCO ProPASS program this year is the introduction of BC Transit’s UMO fare payment system to modernize the transit experience across the Province. BC Transit has created an UMO app for riders to use as their fare payment system and it also includes additional travel tools like real-time information, maps, and alerts. This means that UBCO will no longer distribute physical transit passes. Instead a BC Transit UMO Benefit Code will be emailed to your UBCO email address, which can then be uploaded to your personal profile in the UMO app.
Enrolment for the Fall 2024 Pass Period is open August 1 until September 6, 2024
How to Enroll for ProPASS:
- Search for the UMO Mobility App in your app store. Download and follow the app’s instructions to create an account.
- For more information about UMO or for help with the app, go to: Umo (bctransit.com)
- Complete the online UBCO ProPASS Enrolment and Payment Form (August 1, 2024 – September 6, 2024):
- Payment portal can be found here: UBC Marketplace (touchnet.net)
- Look for a confirmation email with your UMO Benefit Code within two business days of your purchase (UMO code distribution will begin August 5, 2024 and will be sent to your UBCO email address).
- Once you receive your UMO Benefit Code.
- Go to the UMO app and select Redeem Benefit from the top menu.
- Tap Change Agency to select your transit system (Kelowna Regional Transit).
- Enter the unique Benefit Code provided to you to redeem your ProPASS.
- Use transit during the Fall 2024 term to get to and from Campus, and around Kelowna.
- Prior to boarding the bus, open your app and from the home screen, select Show Code to display your dynamic QR code.
- Present your QR code to the UMO digital validator.
- Look and listen for the validator’s confirmation signals; a checkmark and single beep means your fare has been accepted.
- Monthly transit passes for UBCO employees are offered at a 50% discount with ProPASS. This is a combined discount which includes a 35% UBCO Sustainable Transportation Subsidy and a 15% program discount through Kelowna Regional Transit. This means that with a UBCO ProPASS, the cost of transit passes is only $35/month whereas regular cost for adult monthly transit passes is $70/month (employees must enroll and pay for an entire four-month Pass Period).
- A main goal of the ProPASS Program is to reduce the number of vehicles being driven to and from campus daily by encouraging and incentivizing employees to use transit. UBCO has partnered with BC Transit and their regional partners to offer the ProPASS Program to UBC employees.
When are the Enrolment dates and deadlines?
Enrolment will be open for the month prior to the start of each Pass Period:
Enrolment will be open for the month prior to the start of each Pass Period:
- Enrolment Open December 1 – January 12 for the Winter Pass Period (January – April)
- Enrolment Open April 1 – May 10 for the Summer Pass Period (May – August)
- Enrolment Open August 1 – September 6 for the Fall Pass Period (September – December)
How much does it cost to participate in the ProPASS program?
The total cost for the Pass Period is $140 ($35 per month) for UBCO faculty and staff. A full price adult transit pass for the same period would be $280 ($70 per month).
The total cost for the Pass Period is $140 ($35 per month) for UBCO faculty and staff. A full price adult transit pass for the same period would be $280 ($70 per month).
How do I pay for my ProPASSes?
Complete the combined Enrollment and Payment Form and pay for your passes online by Credit Card (UBC Marketplace (touchnet.net))
Complete the combined Enrollment and Payment Form and pay for your passes online by Credit Card (UBC Marketplace (touchnet.net))
Can I start or withdraw from the ProPASS Program in the middle of a Pass Period?
No, you must commit to a full four-month Pass Period (example Summer: May – Aug). Once enrolment has closed at the start of each Pass Period, new participants must wait for enrolment to open for the next pass period (see dates above). Refunds will only be considered for staff/faculty who leave the employment of UBCO within the middle of a Pass Period and are issued at the discretion of BC Transit for unused monthly passes for future calendar months. For example, if an employee who has enrolled for the Summer Pass Period leaves the employment of UBCO anytime during the month of June, they may only be eligible for refunds for their unused July and August transit passes.
No, you must commit to a full four-month Pass Period (example Summer: May – Aug). Once enrolment has closed at the start of each Pass Period, new participants must wait for enrolment to open for the next pass period (see dates above). Refunds will only be considered for staff/faculty who leave the employment of UBCO within the middle of a Pass Period and are issued at the discretion of BC Transit for unused monthly passes for future calendar months. For example, if an employee who has enrolled for the Summer Pass Period leaves the employment of UBCO anytime during the month of June, they may only be eligible for refunds for their unused July and August transit passes.
Who can I purchase additional discounted Transit Passes for?
As a ProPASS participant you can purchase discounted transit passes for yourself plus one other adult family member living in your household. Additional passes can only be purchased through the ProPASS Program online enrolment and payment process and cannot be added mid-Pass Period. The additional family member is only eligible for the 15% ProPASS discount. As a result, their ProPASS will cost $238 for each four-month Pass Period ($59.50 per month).
As a ProPASS participant you can purchase discounted transit passes for yourself plus one other adult family member living in your household. Additional passes can only be purchased through the ProPASS Program online enrolment and payment process and cannot be added mid-Pass Period. The additional family member is only eligible for the 15% ProPASS discount. As a result, their ProPASS will cost $238 for each four-month Pass Period ($59.50 per month).
Can ProPASS be utilized on the 90 UBCO/Vernon route?
Monthly passes for Kelowna Regional Transit (including those purchased through UBCO’s ProPASS program) are accepted on the 90 UBCO/Vernon at no extra charge. However, these monthly passes cannot be used on other routes within the Vernon Regional Transit system.
Monthly passes for Kelowna Regional Transit (including those purchased through UBCO’s ProPASS program) are accepted on the 90 UBCO/Vernon at no extra charge. However, these monthly passes cannot be used on other routes within the Vernon Regional Transit system.
I’m not a UBCO Employee, but I commute to and work at the campus. Can I still participate in ProPASS?
Eligible groups may participate in ProPASS accessing the standard 15% discount of off regular monthly transit passes ($238 per Pass Period). Eligible groups may include UBC SUO staff or student groups who are not eligible for UPASS. Contact campus.planning@ubc.ca for more information or to determine if you are part of an eligible group before enrolling using the online form.
Eligible groups may participate in ProPASS accessing the standard 15% discount of off regular monthly transit passes ($238 per Pass Period). Eligible groups may include UBC SUO staff or student groups who are not eligible for UPASS. Contact campus.planning@ubc.ca for more information or to determine if you are part of an eligible group before enrolling using the online form.
Can I get a ProPASS Refund due to transit service disruptions?
ProPASS is a program offered by BC Transit and their Regional Partners, and is administered through the City of Kelowna. UBCO facilitates the program in accordance with the processes, terms and conditions set by Kelowna Regional Transit. For any transit service disruption over 3 days in length, a pro-rated discount or refund will be applied.
ProPASS is a program offered by BC Transit and their Regional Partners, and is administered through the City of Kelowna. UBCO facilitates the program in accordance with the processes, terms and conditions set by Kelowna Regional Transit. For any transit service disruption over 3 days in length, a pro-rated discount or refund will be applied.
Can I Still Purchase a Physical Pass?
Physical BC Transit passes will not be available for purchase on the UBCO campus. However, your ProPASS benefit code can still be uploaded and applied to a physical pass. Physical BC Transit passes are available at several locations within Kelowna. See complete list of locations here: Where to Buy (bctransit.com)
Physical BC Transit passes will not be available for purchase on the UBCO campus. However, your ProPASS benefit code can still be uploaded and applied to a physical pass. Physical BC Transit passes are available at several locations within Kelowna. See complete list of locations here: Where to Buy (bctransit.com)
If you have any additional questions about the ProPASS Program, please contact: campus.planning@ubc.ca