Digital U-Pass

Digital U-Pass

The UTMSU, in partnership with UTM, MiWay, and PRESTO, presents a new platform for the Digital U-Pass Program! Say goodbye to the PRESTO E-Tickets App, say hello to PRESTO for mobile wallet!

The U-Pass can now be loaded onto students’ PRESTO cards linked to registered PRESTO accounts* by redeeming a unique voucher code. The U-Pass is valid each academic term in which a student is registered, paying a Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) fee in their ACORN tuition invoice, and enrolled in courses.

  • Students will appear ineligible in the U-Pass system if they try to collect their U-Pass before payment has been processed through ACORN. Please allow at least 72 hours after payment before logging into the U-Pass portal.

*Students without registered PRESTO accounts will not be able to redeem their unique voucher code onto their PRESTO cards. 

Click here for your U-Pass Voucher: https://uoft.service-now.com/utm_upass  and follow the instructions below to activate it.

Please Note: DO NOT redeem your voucher code onto your mobile wallet PRESTO card if your phone does not support NFC or has the NFC feature permanently disabled. Your mobile wallet PRESTO card will not work without the NFC enabled. Instead, please visit the infoBooth desk at the Student Centre (UTMSU) for more assistance.

What is a U-Pass?

What is a U-Pass?

The U-Pass is one of the many great services offered by the UTMSU—it allows students unlimited fare-free rides on all MiWay transit buses. All you need to do is register a PRESTO account, add your PRESTO card to your mobile wallet, redeem your unique voucher code onto your PRESTO card to receive your U-Pass, and tap while boarding a MiWay bus! 

  • Fall U-Pass is active September 1 through December 31 
  • Winter U-Pass is active January 1 through April 30
  • Summer U-Pass is active May 1 through August 31

A U-Pass is only available and valid in a term* for which a student has been charged a U-Pass fee. For example, students only taking Fall term courses will be able to redeem a unique voucher code for a U-Pass in the Fall term only. 

Please note: Students must carry their T-Card with them at all times when boarding transit buses as transit enforcement may ask to see Student ID. 

 

*As students’ enrollments are confirmed multiple times at the beginning of each semester due to late registration, late payments, or your student email is not updated on your ACORN profile, you may not see the voucher code after waiting 72 hours.

To ensure you receive the voucher code on time, please make sure to check the date your fees are processed on your tuition invoice and that your student email is up to date (ends with @mail.utoronto.ca) under Profile & Settings on ACORN.

Benefits

Benefits

The UTMSU has worked tirelessly these past couple of months to completely revamp the Digital U-Pass Program in collaboration with UTM, MiWay and PRESTO. We have successfully moved away from the PRESTO E-Tickets platform and towards the PRESTO vouchers platform. 

What is a PRESTO voucher? A PRESTO voucher is a unique code UTM students can redeem on their PRESTO accounts to access their U-Pass using their PRESTO card on mobile wallet. 

Let’s look at the difference between Vouchers and E-Tickets below.

Old PRESTO E-Tickets

 New PRESTO Vouchers
  • Uses the PRESTO E-Tickets app.
  • Students scan QR code onto PRESTO devices on the MiWay buses for unlimited rides
  • No replacement fee!
  • Uses the PRESTO app.
  • U-Pass is loaded onto PRESTO cards in your mobile wallet by redeeming a unique voucher code.
  • Students can tap onto the bus – avoids line-ups and delays!
  • One Fare System! – Students can use a 2-hour transfer between different transit buses.*
  • No replacement fee!

*Bus rides must begin on a MiWay bus for a 2-hour transfer to take effect.

Refer to the “How to receive your Digital U-Pass?” section below for more details on how to redeem a unique voucher code and how to load a U-Pass onto your PRESTO card!

Eligibility

All UTM undergraduate and Mississauga Academy of Medicine (MAM) undergraduate students are eligible to collect a Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass). Associated fees are mandatory and automatically charged to each eligible student’s Acorn account. 

Each full-time/part-time undergraduate and graduate student is eligible for a U-Pass if they meet the following criteria:

  • You must be enrolled in courses during respective distribution periods as either an undergraduate, MAM, or graduate student. Please note, graduate students enrolled in the MMPA and MFAC programs are not eligible for a U-Pass. Your academic invoice will reflect the associated fees for this pass. For example, only students enrolled in summer courses and paying summer incidental fees are eligible for a Summer U-Pass.
  • You must have successfully paid/deferred the minimum payment on your ACORN account, 3 business days prior to viewing your voucher on the portal. Students will appear ineligible in the U-Pass system if they try to collect before payment has been processed through ACORN. 
  • You have not made any changes to your ACORN account, 3 business days prior to viewing your voucher on the portal. This means you have not added/removed courses or been taken off a waitlist. 
  • Must have a valid T-Card and active utoronto email. Please check under Profile & Settings in your ACORN account to see if your utoronto email is up-to-date (ends with @mail.utoronto.ca).

Click here for your U-Pass Voucher: https://uoft.service-now.com/utm_upass  and follow the instructions below to activate it.

Please note: Outgoing Exchange students are not eligible for the U-Pass as they do not fulfill the U-Pass eligibility criteria. If you are a PEY student, please email upass@utmsu.ca for more eligibility information.

Please Note: Do not redeem your voucher code onto your mobile wallet PRESTO card if your phone does not support NFC or has the NFC feature permanently disabled. Your mobile wallet PRESTO card will not work without the NFC enabled. Instead, please visit the infoBooth desk at the Student Centre (UTMSU) for more assistance.

U-Pass Policy

U-Passes are for UTM students only. They must not be shared or used by anyone other than whom the U-Pass was issued to. Altering, forging, transferring, selling, or sharing a U-Pass is prohibited, and abuse of the U-Pass is taken seriously by Mississauga Transit Enforcement, UTM, UTMSU and UTMAGS. Abuse can result in significant fines/charges against abusers and prohibition from further participation in the U-Pass program. In the event of a U-Pass validity dispute, a student is required to pay full fare and contact the UTMSU office. View all terms & conditions of use through the MiWay Transit website.

Eligible UTM students are only allocated one unique voucher code per academic term. Additional voucher codes will not be issued to students. Eligible students can be barred from the U-Pass program and/or have PRESTO product(s) or account(s) suspended if abuse of the U-Pass occurs. If the PRESTO account is suspended, students could lose their U-Pass as well as other PRESTO products (i.e. additional PRESTO cards, etc.). 

How to receive your Digital U-Pass?

Your Digital U-Pass will no longer be sent to the PRESTO E-Tickets account. You can delete the PRESTO E-Tickets app from your device. Instead, download the PRESTO app through the Apple Store, Google Play Store, etc. or visit the PRESTO website. 

To get access to your Digital U-Pass each semester, follow the steps below: 

  1. Register for a PRESTO account through the PRESTO app or the web. 

Watch the video below on how to create a PRESTO card account, or click here to create an account.

It is recommended for students to create a new account using their utoronto email address (e.g. @mail.utoronto.ca) but not required. If you have an existing PRESTO account, you DO NOT need to create a new account.

Please note: If you do not create/have a PRESTO account linked to your PRESTO card, you will not be able to redeem the voucher code. Instead you will receive an error when trying to redeem. 

To fix this issue, please log in using your card details (PRESTO card number and 3-digit verification code on the back of the card), go to Card Settings and create a PRESTO account. Then you will be able to redeem a voucher code onto your PRESTO card. 

  1. Add a digital PRESTO card to your mobile wallet. 

Once you successfully create a PRESTO account, you can log into the account and add a card to your wallet. This card will be used to load your U-Pass. Watch the videos below on how to add your PRESTO card to your mobile Wallet.

Please note:

  • When adding a new card, you may need to load funds to activate the card.
    • If you add a digital PRESTO card through your Apple/Google wallet using the “Add Transit Card” option, you will need to add a minimum of $1.00 to your mobile wallet PRESTO card.
    • If you add a digital PRESTO card through the PRESTO Mobile App to your Apple/Google wallet, you will need to add only $0.05 to your mobile wallet PRESTO card.
    • You may also need a payment method added to your mobile wallet in order to add a digital PRESTO card.

If your phone/mobile wallet DOES NOT support or have a NFC feature, your PRESTO card for mobile wallet will not tap on the bus. Please check whether your phone has the NFC feature before adding a PRESTO card to your mobile wallet.

Alternatively, you can purchase and a redeem your voucher onto a physical PRESTO card instead to remedy this issue. Physical PRESTO cards can be purchased at the Student Centre infoBooth desk, any Shoppers Drug Mart location, or any PRESTO Customer Service Outlets.

  1. Redeem your unique U-Pass voucher code.

Your unique U-Pass voucher code will be revealed to you through the U-Pass Voucher Portal. Students will be required to log in using their UTorID and password to confirm eligibility. You will be asked to accept the terms and conditions. Once the unique voucher code is revealed, redeem the code in your registered PRESTO account on a digital PRESTO card. Watch the video below on how to redeem a voucher code onto a PRESTO card in mobile wallet.

Once your unique voucher code is redeemed, the U-Pass will be activated on the first day of each academic semester, i.e. September 1, January 1 and May 1, annually*.

Please Note: Students must carry their T-Card with them at all times when boarding transit buses as transit enforcement may ask to see Student ID. 

Click here for your U-Pass Voucher: https://uoft.service-now.com/utm_upass 

Voucher codes will only be revealed to students who are eligible for a U-Pass. If you do not see your unique voucher code, please check your eligibility using the guidelines outlined under the “Eligibility” section. Do not share this voucher code. 

Eligible UTM students are only allocated one unique voucher code per academic term. Additional voucher codes will not be issued to students. Eligible students can be barred from the U-Pass program and/or have PRESTO product(s) or account(s) suspended if abuse of the U-Pass occurs. If the PRESTO account or card is suspended, students could lose their U-Pass as well as other PRESTO products (i.e. additional PRESTO cards, funds, transit passes, etc.). 

If you experience any trouble using the U-Pass Voucher Portal, please contact upass@utmsu.ca or visit the infoBooth desk in the Student Centre for further assistance.

If you experience trouble creating a PRESTO account, adding a PRESTO card to your wallet, or redeeming a voucher code, please contact PRESTO customer service by phone at 1-877-378-6123 or by live chat through their website, and indicate that you are a UTM student.

 

*As students’ enrollments are confirmed multiple times at the beginning of each semester due to late registration, late payments, or your student email is not updated on your ACORN profile, you may not see the voucher code after waiting 72 hours.

To ensure you receive the voucher code on time, please make sure to check the date your fees are processed on your tuition invoice and that your student email is up to date (ends with @mail.utoronto.ca) under Profile & Settings on ACORN.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I receive my unique voucher code?

To receive your unique voucher code, please click here: https://uoft.service-now.com/utm_upass 

Please refer to the section above titled “How to receive your Digital U-Pass?” for full instructions!

Do I need to load funds in order to add a PRESTO mobile card?

When adding a new card, you may need to load funds to activate the card:

  • If you add a digital PRESTO card through your Apple/Google wallet using the “Add Transit Card” option, you will need to add a minimum of $1.00 to your mobile wallet PRESTO card.
  • If you add a digital PRESTO card through the PRESTO Mobile App to your Apple/Google wallet, you will need to add only $0.05 to your mobile wallet PRESTO card.
What if I enroll in courses to receive a U-Pass then drop courses?

Eligible UTM students are only allocated one unique voucher code per academic term. Additional voucher codes will not be issued to students.

Eligible students can be barred from the U-Pass program and/or have PRESTO product(s) or account(s) suspended if abuse of the U-Pass occurs. If the PRESTO account or card is suspended, students could lose their U-Pass as well as other PRESTO products (i.e. additional PRESTO cards, funds, transit passes, etc.). 

For example, if a student enrolls in courses, redeems a voucher code and then drops all their courses (solely to receive a voucher card), UTM and UTMSU will flag those students and suspend their PRESTO account or card, revoking both the U-Pass and other PRESTO products loaded onto the card/account.

I'm an Outgoing Exchange student. Am I eligible for a U-Pass?

No, Outgoing Exchange Students are not eligible for the U-Pass as they do not fulfill the U-Pass eligibility criteria.

For questions and/or concerns about eligibility, please email upass@utmsu.ca for more information. 

Does my phone support PRESTO for mobile wallet? (NFC Compatibility)

To use PRESTO in Google Wallet, you need an Android phone with NFC, the latest version of the Google Wallet app, and a Google account. 

For Apple devices, you need iOS version 16.4 or higher, or watchOS version 9.4 or higher. Phones not meeting these requirements will not support PRESTO in Mobile Wallet. 

As well, check that the NFC functionality is not disabled, which students can enable through their settings on their phone. For smoother usage, students should  check that their phone has NFC capability and is up to date ‘prior’ to redeeming their voucher to avoid any issues.

If unable to use PRESTO for mobile wallet, please visit the infoBooth desk in the Student Centre for more assistance or email upass@utmsu.ca.

Unable to determine if a phone is NFC compatible?

There are many public domain sources to help on this.  PRESTO also has an FAQ for Google Wallet or Apple Wallet questions.

The PRESTO app is unavailable and/or I cannot find the PRESTO app on the App Store.

Students will need to update their country settings.  Please reference https://prestocard.ca/en/support/faqs/presto-app for how to do this.

If you still cannot download the PRESTO app, do not worry. For those students who cannot download the app, please purchase a physical PRESTO card (available at the Student Centre). Then, you can sign up/log in to your account through the PRESTO website to redeem your voucher.

Why am I getting a Fraud Error message in my mobile wallet?

This message is the result of payment method not set up in Mobile Wallet. There are 2 possible scenarios here:

  1. If you add a digital PRESTO card through your Apple/Google wallet using the “Add Transit Card” option, in this case you would need to have an existing payment method tied to your mobile wallet.
  2. If you add a digital PRESTO card through the PRESTO Mobile App to their Apple/Google wallet, in this case you do NOT need to have an existing payment method tied to your mobile wallet.
Can I redeem a voucher code on an existing PRESTO card?

Yes, you can redeem a PRESTO voucher code on an existing PRESTO card, whether physical or digital.

You’ll need to log into your PRESTO account online through the website, sign in to your registered account, navigate to “My Cards,” and select “Redeem Voucher.” Enter the code and wait 4-6 hours before tapping your card on a PRESTO device to activate the voucher.

I bought a physical PRESTO card from Shoppers but I cannot redeem a voucher.

Due to the current system design, it takes approximately 4-6 hours for information from retail outlets and the online PRESTO website to be updated in the back-end system at PRESTO. Until the system has received the card purchase information, you will not be able to register, apply a voucher code or add funds to the card via the PRESTO website: www.prestocard.ca

I don't have access to a smartphone. Can I redeem a voucher code on a physical PRESTO card?

If you do not have access to a smartphone, you can register a PRESTO account through the web using another device (laptop, computer, tablet, etc) and add a physical card on the account. If you do not have a physical card, you can purchase one at any participating Shoppers Drug Mart location or PRESTO customer service outlet. 

If you already have a physical card registered to your PRESTO account, you can redeem a voucher on that card using the steps below:

  1. Login to your PRESTO card account
  2. Select “My Cards”
  3. Select “Redeem Voucher”
  4. Enter your PRESTO voucher code. It takes 4 to 6 hours before your voucher product is ready to use.
  5. After you’ve waited 4 to 6 hours, tap your physical PRESTO card on any PRESTO device to add the voucher to your physical PRESTO card. Be sure to tap your physical PRESTO card at least once within 30 days after redeeming your voucher.
  6. Your online account information will be updated after you tap your physical PRESTO card on a PRESTO device.

For assistance, please contact PRESTO customer service by phone at 1-877-378-6123 and indicate you are a UTM student. 

Can I convert my physical PRESTO card to a digital PRESTO card?

Yes, you can convert your physical PRESTO card to a digital PRESTO card! Watch this step-by-step instructions video on how to convert your physical PRESTO card to a digital PRESTO card in your Apple or Google wallet.

Please note: Only convert your physical card to a digital card if your phone supports NFC and/or if your phone supports the PRESTO app! If your device is not compatible, the U-Pass will not work and the voucher code cannot be redeemed to another card.

To use PRESTO in Google Wallet, you need an Android phone with NFC, the latest version of the Google Wallet app, and a Google account. 

For Apple devices, you need iOS version 16.4 or higher, or watchOS version 9.4 or higher. Phones not meeting these requirements will not support PRESTO in Mobile Wallet. 

Can I convert a digital PRESTO card to a physical PRESTO card?

No, you can only convert a physical card into a digital card. Once a physical card has been converted into a digital card, this action cannot be reversed.

I uploaded my unique voucher to my PRESTO card but when I tapped onto the bus, it didn't work. How can I fix this?

Physical PRESTO card: Once you upload your unique voucher code to your physical PRESTO card, your U-Pass will be ready to use in 4 to 6 hours! We advise students to upload their unique voucher a day before they need to travel using their U-Pass.

PRESTO for Mobile Wallet: Your unique voucher code is ready to use on your PRESTO card in mobile wallet!

For assistance, please contact PRESTO customer service by phone at 1-877-378-6123 and indicate you are a UTM student. 

What if I lose my physical PRESTO card?

If you lose your physical PRESTO card, watch this step-by-step instructions video on how to replace a lost physical PRESTO card, or refer to the resources below.

  • Log into your PRESTO account through the website (recommended option) to cancel your lost/damaged/stolen PRESTO card.
  • Log into your PRESTO account and use the Chat feature  to cancel lost/damaged/stolen PRESTO card
  • By Calling PRESTO at 1-877-378-6123 to cancel your lost/damaged/stolen PRESTO card

Cancelling a PRESTO card is permanent. Once you cancel your PRESTO card, it cannot be used again.

During the card cancellation process, you can transfer the balance to a new physical PRESTO card or onto a digital PRESTO card. Instructions on how to transfer the balance can be found here. 

Please Note: You only redeem a voucher ONCE. Once the voucher is redeemed, you cannot redeem it onto another PRESTO card. We advise you to follow the steps above to transfer the U-Pass to a new card instead.

What if I lose/damage my phone and get a new device?

If you lose/damage your phone and get a new device, you can recover your card by signing in to the PRESTO card app on a new device, removing the card from your old device and adding it to the new device.

Note: For the PRESTO card in Apple Wallet, if you lose or factory reset your phone, your PRESTO card in Apple Wallet will be paused once the device is marked as “lost” in the Find My app. To recover your PRESTO card in Apple Wallet, sign into your Apple ID on your new device, open Apple Wallet, select ‘Add New Card,’ choose ‘Transit Pass,’ and then select ‘Previous Cards.’ Your PRESTO card will be listed there. 

If you are using a PRESTO card in Google Wallet and your device is lost or damaged, you don’t need to cancel your card. If your card is registered to a PRESTO account, sign in to the PRESTO app on your new device, remove your PRESTO card in Google Wallet from your old device and add it to your new one.

Can I transfer onto different buses using my U-Pass?

Yes, you can transfer from MiWay buses to other transit buses (TTC, Brampton Transit, Oakville, etc.) all thanks to Ontario’s One Fare Program. Once you tap your U-Pass onto a MiWay bus, your 2-hour transfer will take affect, allowing you to tap onto other transit buses for the next two hours.

Please note: The U-Pass is not applicable for the GO services. You will be charged a fare.

How long is my U-Pass valid for?

U-Passes are only valid in the terms you are registered and enrolled. For example, a U-Pass for the Fall term (September 1-December 31) cannot be used for the Winter term (January 1-April 30) or the Summer term (May 1-August 31), and vice versa.

Can I receive a U-Pass if I am not enrolled in classes?

No, U-Passes cannot be given to individuals not enrolled in UTM affiliated courses. Ineligible students will also not receive a voucher code on the U-Pass portal.

If you are interested in purchasing a discounted MiWay transit pass, visit the MiWay website. 

Can I opt-out of the U-Pass fee?

No, the U-Pass fee is a mandatory incidental fee for eligible full-time/part-time/graduate/undergraduate students at UTM. Mandatory incidental fees are amounts charged in addition to tuition, which cover the costs of services and programs not otherwise funded. These fees support services and programs that contribute to the student experience, student wellbeing and include fees for university-operated student services, (i.e. health and dental plans, U-Pass, ect.). These campus fees are set on the understanding that all students will contribute to the cost of these services.

An inventory of all non-academic compulsory fees approved by the University Affairs Board and charged by the university are uploaded publicly for all students to review before consenting to enroll in classes. As you can see, the U-Pass is a mandatory incidental fee based on the referendum of institutional policies. The U-Pass fees were successfully established through referenda, in which all eligible students were asked to support the collection of this compulsory fee. 

The U-Pass program is offered by the City of Mississauga- MiWay. Their service contract with UTM stipulates that the U-Pass fee must be applied to all eligible UTM students and an opt-out or exception is not allowed. With this being said, the UTMSU has in the past and will continue to negotiate the option for a U-Pass opt-out in all future renewals.

For inquiries about other unrelated UTMSU fees, please contact the UTM Registrar’s Office or the related university department. 

What happens if my phone runs out of battery?

You would be required to pay for your fare if you cannot present a valid digital U-Pass when boarding MiWay transit. To avoid paying this fee, please ensure your phone is always charged. You can find charging stations on campus in the UTM Student Centre for student use. MiWay transit vehicles are also equipped with power outlets for riders to charge mobile devices.