UPASS
Grand River Transit is offering students a ride to school and back! Travel everywhere in the Tri-city area from shopping malls to dance clubs, or movie theatres to local pubs. You'll never have to ask for a ride, trudge through miserable weather, or search for a parking spot again!
GRT gives you all the tools you need to discover life outside campus! Visit the GRT website to use the EasyGo Trip Planner--a simple way to plan your trip. Just enter your start and end locations, when you want to travel and the travel option that best suits you! If you want a quick way to find out when your next bus is arriving, you can use your cell phone! Text* 57555 and key in your four-digit bus stop number. In seconds, the times of the next two buses will appear on your phone.
Use your WatCard to travel and explore what the Region has to offer--it is your pass to unlimited rides on GRT's buses. The cost is included in your tuition and is valid for all school terms.
If you have any more questions, you can check out the FAQ below, or send an email to the VP Admin & Finance at vpaf@feds.ca.
*Standard rates for text messaging from your service provider will apply. No additional fees will be charged by GRT at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is able to use the bus pass?
- How do students pay for the bus pass?
- Are there any restrictions on the bus pass?
- How do students use the bus pass?
- Is the bus pass refundable?
- What happens if I lose my bus pass?
- Can students use the bus pass on their next co-op term?
- Is the bus pass tax deductible?
- Where can I find more information about routes and the buses?
- What is the Late Night Loop?
- Is the Mobility Plus program covered by my UPASS fee?
Who is able to use the bus pass?
All full-time graduate and undergraduate students at the University are eligible. However, part-time students, faculty and department staff are not eligible for this program.
How do students pay for the bus pass?
Undergraduate students pay for the bus pass as part of their Feds' Administered Fees on their tuition statement.
Are there any restrictions on the bus pass?
No, it entitles those who have paid to unlimited usage on GRT buses in the Region.
How do students use the bus pass?
Students flash their WatCard to the bus driver to board the bus.
Is the bus pass refundable?
No. The UPASS is a non-refundable fee paid by all students.
What happens if I lose my bus pass?
If you lose your WatCard, visiting the WatCard office in the lower level of the SLC to receive a new WatCard will allow you to use the bus.
Can students use the bus pass on their next co-op term?
Currently, yes.
Is the bus pass tax deductible?
Yes. You can download and print your UPASS Tax Receipts (in pdf format) here: 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011
Where can I find more information about routes and the buses?
The iXpress is faster than ever! The ixPress runs every 10 minutes from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday! And every 15 minutes from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, the iXpress run every 15 minutes from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. service is every 30 minutes. Board at the iXpress station conveniently located at the Davis Centre.
There's also a newiXpress! The new 201 iXpress provides a direct limited stop route from University Ave. at Wilfrid Laurier University, along Columbia St. down Fischer-Hallman Rd. At Westmount Rd. East, the route dips up to Block Line Rd. and into the Forest Glen Terminal. With fewer stops along the route, the 201 iXpress is faster than the local bus routes and travel time from Waterloo to Kitchener is 45 minutes. The 201 iXpressis up and running by 5:30 a.m. Monday to Friday and buses will run every 15 min. during peak times and 30 minutes during off-peak times. Saturday, buses run every 30 minutes all day starting at 6:45 a.m and Sunday every 30 minutes all day starting at approximately 8:15 a.m.
Travelling to class is easy! Take the iXpress, iXpress 201, Routes 7, 8, 9, or 12 on University Ave. Transfer to Route 13 at the Davis Centre.
Need to travel along King Street? Board Route 7 at bus stops on King Street and get to uptown Waterloo in five minutes, or downtown Kitchener in seventeen. Buses depart every 7-10 minutes during rush hours.
Route 29 Keats Way connects Beechwood West and Westvale neighbourhoods to uWaterloo. Monday to Friday, every 30 minutes, from 7am to 6:30pm.
Route 8 Service allows you to travel between uWaterloo and downtown Kitchener via Westmount Rd or Weber St every 15 minutes during weekday rush hour service.
Route 9 goes to Lakeshore and leaves every 15 minutes during weekday rush hours and every 30 minutes most other times Monday to Saturday. There's a Sunday service, too!
You can visit the GRT website, or pick up schedules near the Turnkey Desk in the Student Life Centre for further information.
What is the Late Night Loop?
The Late Night Loop bus offers the perfect solution for your safe ride home from your social activities. The bus leaves downtown Kitchener between the hours of 12:30am and 2:00am on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. It connects you to the universities, Lakeshore neighbourhood, as well as uptown Waterloo and downtown Kitchener. After a night out with friends, you can get home in the early hours of the morning.
Is the Mobility Plus program covered by my UPASS fee?
Not at this time. The Federation of Students is committed to accessible transportation, however, and will be discussing this change with GRT during the next contract negotiations for September 2011.