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U-Pass Framework

Available for fall and spring/summer semesters

The Universal Transit Pass (U-PASS) provides full-time post-secondary students at participating colleges and universities unlimited travel on DRT services.

The following institutions participate in DRT's U-PASS program:

  • Durham College.
  • Trent University Durham GTA.
  • Ontario Tech University.

Did you know?

Your tuition includes the cost of a DRT U-PASS. 

  • A U-PASS is $160.34, a cost that is included in each full-time student’s tuition at participating post-secondary schools.
  • The pass is valid for each four-month semester that a full-time student is enrolled in at a post-secondary school.
  • Students can use their U-PASS to travel anywhere, anytime for any reason on DRT’s full network of services.

DRT has enhanced service to post-secondary campuses, providing more options and more frequent service across Durham. 

  • Route 920/921 – Every 20 minutes between Scarborough and Oshawa, connecting Durham College North Campus and Ontario Tech University. 

  • PULSE 900 – Every 10 minutes between Pickering and downtown Oshawa, with connections to Trent University Durham.

  • PULSE 901 – Every 10 minutes between downtown Oshawa and Durham College North Campus Terminal.

  • Route 905 – Every 15 minutes during peak times between Whitby Station and Durham College North Campus.

  • Route 917 – Every 15 minutes during peak times between Whitby Station and Oshawa Centre Terminal, connecting to Durham College Whitby Campus.

  • PULSE 915 and PULSE 916 – Two new rapid routes offering 15-minute service along key Durham corridors.

Please contact your institution to learn more about eligibility for the U-PASS.

Don't see your school? Use our customer comment form to seek more information. 

For more information and FAQs on the Student PRESTO Program, visit Prestocard.ca

Your school will email you a PRESTO voucher code. You can redeem it on either of the following:

  • A mobile PRESTO card in your digital wallet; or
  • A physical PRESTO card (one-time $4 fee).

 

Learn more about PRESTO vouchers here.

  1. Check your eligibility:
    Full-time students at Durham College, Trent University Durham and Ontario Tech University who have paid their full-time tuition. Watch for an eligibility email from your school.
  2. Get a PRESTO Card:
    PRESTO cards are available in your Mobile Wallet, or a physical Presto card can be purchased for a one-time fee of $4.Learn more on where and how to buy a PRESTO card. 
  3. Activate your UPASS:
    Follow the instructions in the activation email to redeem the U-PASS voucher code to your phone’s mobile wallet (Google Pay or Apple Wallet) or physical Presto card. For more information about PRESTO vouchers, visit this link.
  4. Start using your pass:
    Simply tap your smartphone or PRESTO card on the PRESTO device when boarding DRT buses or entering transit terminals. 

Important: Before converting your physical PRESTO card to a digital PRESTO card in Apple Wallet, you need to redeem any voucher codes you’ve been provided, such as your UPASS, to make sure they are transferred over when you convert your card.

 

  1. Device settings:
    • You must have iOS version 16.4 or later and your phone must support Apple Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC).
  2. Install necessary apps:
    • Download and install the PRESTO app from the App Store.
    • Download and install Apple Wallet if you haven’t already.
  3. Redeem your voucher code:
    • Sign in to your PRESTO account.
    • Scroll down and select "Enter Voucher Code."
    • Enter your UPASS voucher code, review your voucher details and tap “Done.” Your UPASS will be ready to use immediately.
  4. Convert physical card to Apple Wallet:
    • Open the PRESTO app and sign in.
    • Select the physical PRESTO card you want to convert.
    • Choose the option to "Add to Apple Wallet" and follow the on-screen instructions.
    • Once converted, your physical PRESTO card will no longer work. Converting a physical PRESTO card to a mobile wallet card can’t be undone.
  5. Using PRESTO with Apple Wallet:
    • Double-press the side button or use Face ID/Touch ID to access your pass.
    • You can also choose to set up Express Mode for quick and easy tapping. With Express Mode, you can use PRESTO in Apple Wallet to tap to pay without waking or unlocking your Apple device, or authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. Learn how to set up to Express Mode on your PRESTO in Apple Wallet card.
    • Hold your iPhone near the PRESTO reader when boarding.

 

Important reminders:

  • Device requirements: Don’t convert your card to Apple Wallet unless your phone meets all the required device settings.
  • Mid-trip card conversion: Don’t convert your card while in the middle of a trip. Finish your trip and make sure your transfer window has ended before starting the conversion process.

 

For more information about PRESTO in Apple Wallet, visit this link.

Important: Before converting your physical PRESTO card to a digital PRESTO card in Google Wallet, you need to redeem any voucher codes you’ve been provided, such as your UPASS, to make sure they are transferred over when you convert your card.

 

  1. Device settings:
    • Your phone must have Android 7.0 or higher and needs to support Google Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC).
  2. Install necessary apps:
    • Download and install the PRESTO app from the Google Play Store.
    • Download and install Google Wallet if you haven’t already, and sign into your Google Account.
  3. Redeem your voucher code:
    • Sign in to your PRESTO account.
    • Scroll down and select “Enter Voucher Code”
    • Enter your UPASS voucher code, review your voucher details and tap “Done.” Your UPASS will be ready to use immediately.
  4. Convert physical card to Google Wallet:
    • Open the PRESTO app and sign in.
    • Select the physical PRESTO card you want to convert.
    • Choose the option to "Add to Google Wallet" and follow the on-screen instructions.
    • Once converted, your physical PRESTO card will no longer work. Converting a physical PRESTO card to a mobile wallet card can’t be undone.
  5. Using PRESTO with Google Wallet:
    • Wake up your phone.
    • Hold the back of your phone near the PRESTO reader when boarding.
    • Make sure NFC is turned on.

 

Important reminders:

  • Device requirements: Don’t convert your card to Google Wallet unless your phone meets all the required device settings.
  • Mid-trip card conversion: Don’t convert your card while in the middle of a trip. Finish your trip and make sure your transfer window has ended before starting the conversion process.

 

For more information about PRESTO in Google Wallet, visit this link.

Q: What devices are compatible?

A: iPhone with iOS 16.4 or later that supports Apple Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC). Android phones with Android 7.0 support Google Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC).

Q: Do I need an internet connection to use my UPASS?
A: An internet connection is not required to tap your U-PASS to travel, but you will need an internet connection to activate your U-PASS voucher code, add funds to your PRESTO card or check your card details.

Q: What if my phone or PRESTO card is lost or stolen?
A: Contact your post-secondary institution for more guidance and next steps. Next, contact PRESTO at 1-877-378-6123 to deactivate your pass. Registered PRESTO cards can complete a balance transfer to move the U-PASS to a new PRESTO card. For more information, visit: PRESTO Card - Balance Transfer.

Apple Wallet

If an iPhone or Apple Watch is misplaced or lost, your PRESTO card in Apple Wallet will be suspended once the device is marked as “lost” in the Find My app. The card can be reactivated once your device is recovered.

You can recover your card by:

  1. Log into iCloud.com, select "Account Settings"
  2. Select your old iPhone and follow the prompts to "Remove all" from Apple Wallet
  3. On your new device, sign in to your Apple ID
  4. Open your Apple Wallet and select add new card
  5. Select Transit Pass
  6. Select "previous cards" and your card will be listed there

 

Google Wallet

If you registered your PRESTO in Google Wallet card to your PRESTO account, you can recover your card by signing in to the PRESTO app on a new device, removing the card from your old device and adding to the new device. On your new device:

  1. Open the Google Wallet app and select your PRESTO card.
  2. In the top right corner, select the three vertical dots.
  3. Scroll down and select “Move card to another device”. This will allow you to deactivate your PRESTO card and then reactivate it again after the factory reset is complete.
  4. Once your factory reset is complete and the Google Wallet app is installed select the 'Activate' option to reactivate your card.

 

Q: What happens if my phone’s battery dies while travelling?
A: For Android devices, you need to have enough battery power to finish your transit trip. If your battery dies and you need to tap to board or transfer a transit vehicle, you’ll need to pay a regular fare with another payment method. If you’re using an iPhone, PRESTO in Apple Wallet will still work. The Power Reserve feature provides up to five hours of support, so you can still ride.

Q: Can I share my UPASS with someone else?
A: No. The UPASS is non-transferable. It is directly linked to your student ID.

Q: Can I request a physical pass instead?
A: Yes, you can use a physical PRESTO card. You’ll need to add your PRESTO card to your PRESTO account and redeem your U-PASS voucher on the PRESTO website.

 

For more information, FAQs and answers, visit this link.

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