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A Brief Overview of Student Transit Passes

By: TravelSmart Team | Added: February, 2011
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Taking public transit is a great way to get to school and TransLink has several different programs specifically for Metro Vancouver students to help you save money. Whether you’re in high school or college or university, there’s a savings program perfect for your commuting style and budgetary needs.

GoCard
Who It’s For: Full-time high school students.
What it is: Photo ID card
How to Get It: Available from your school during a free photo session, or you can pay to get one from a designated private photo studio.
Your Savings: You’ll pay only concession fare, instead of full adult fare, for all public transit trips (bus, SeaBus, SkyTrain and the West Coast Express).

GradPass  
Who It’s For: Graduating Grade 12 high school students.
What it is: A supplementary pass, to be used with your GoCard, specifically for graduating high school students.
How to Get It: Available from your homeroom at school or principal’s office.
Your Savings: Two days of free public transit within the period of May 15 to June 30.

Whether you’re in high school, college or university, there’s a savings program perfect for your commuting style and budgetary needs.

U-Pass BC  
Who It’s For: All students at participating publically-funded schools
What it is: A low-cost monthly pass that provides access to the bus, SeaBus, SkyTrain and discounts on the West Coast Express.
How to Get It: If your school isn’t already participating, a referendum will need to be held so students can vote whether or not to join this program. If approved, everyone will have access to a U-Pass.
Your Savings: Currently the U-Pass is $30/month. As of April 1, 2013 it will be $35/month.

For complete student and transit pass details, visit the Fares & Passes section of the TransLink website.

Do you have a story, question or comment to share about student passes? Post a comment below to start a conversation about transit passes with other users, or ask our TravelSmart team a question.

Comments (3)

  • By: Ralph | Added: 22 Feb 2011
    Privately funded schools and colleges need to have this program too.
      3 people like this
  • By: Kaleb | Added: 15 Feb 2011
    I love my Upass it makes my life soo much easier.
      2 people like this
  • By: juliobaguilar | Added: 13 Feb 2011
    "You’ll be able to access all TransLink services through all three zones using just an adult one-zone FareCard." Except for west coast express.
      0 people like this
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