OC Transpo says students with malfunctioning U-Pass can be reimbursed for fares paid out of pocket
OC Transpo says some post-secondary students in Ottawa who have had issues with their U-Passes, are eligible for refunds for any fares they had to pay out of pocket.
The semester-long transit pass, which is included in students' tuition, has been giving intermittent errors for some users, saying it has not been activated.
The U-Pass is used by students at Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, Algonquin College and St. Paul University.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The issue was flagged earlier this month as post-secondary classes resumed. OC Transpo told students to show their respective campus cards to bus operators in order to board if the error arose, and to contact customer service through ticket machines at O-Train stations in order to access the Confederation Line LRT.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, OC Transpo's manager of transit technology and innovation, Raouia Howarth, said there was an issue with the data transfer process for some cards.
"Each U-Pass card is unique and we were able to identify a small batch that were not being validated when tapped at our fare readers. With the new card technology that combines the U-Pass and the student card, post-secondary institutions send U-Pass activation data to OC Transpo. Working with our vendor, we determined that a problem was occurring during the data transfer process. This issue was fixed using a software patch which allowed us to successfully receive the data once resent. This has allowed for affected students to tap their card and activate their U-Pass," Howarth said.
OC Transpo says students who continue to have issues should speak with the card services department at their respective institution.
"They can continue to show their U-Pass to bus operators or at ticket machines. Any students who are eligible for a U-Pass and had to pay for their fare during this technical issue are entitled to a refund and can contact our customer service team," said Howarth.
In a notice on its student portal Friday, Carleton University said OC Transpo is extending the grace period for students who have this issue by one more week, to Sept. 20.
"The issue with OC Transpo’s payment terminals reading U-Passes persists for some students," the notice said, one day after OC Transpo said the issue had been resolved.
"OC Transpo is extending the U-Pass grace period until Friday, September 20, 2024. This grace period is to allow OC Transpo time to implement a software fix. Students who have issues tapping their card on the bus or O-Train will be allowed to board if they show their Campus Card to the operator."
Algonquin College and the University of Ottawa issued similar statements to their student bodies Friday.
"We are asking students to please continue to tap their AC Card + U-Pass each time they board a bus or train as OC Transpo works towards a solution," Algonquin College said.
The University of Ottawa is asking students to hold onto receipts for fares paid due to U-Pass issues.
"Further instructions will be provided on next steps regarding fare reimbursements," the university said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau's 2024: Did the PM become less popular this year?
Justin Trudeau’s numbers have been relatively steady this calendar year, but they've also been at their worst, according to tracking data from CTV News pollster Nik Nanos.
Back on air: John Vennavally-Rao on reclaiming his career while living with cancer
'In February, there was a time when I thought my career as a TV reporter was over,' CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao writes.
The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
What we know about the suspect behind the German Christmas market attack
Germany on Saturday was still in shock and struggling to understand the suspect behind the attack in the city of Magdeburg.
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
Overheated immigration system needed 'discipline' infusion: minister
An 'overheated' immigration system that admitted record numbers of newcomers to the country has harmed Canada's decades-old consensus on the benefits of immigration, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, as he reflected on the changes in his department in a year-end interview.
School custodian stages surprise for Kitchener, Ont. students ahead of holiday break
He’s no Elf on the Shelf, but maybe closer to Ward of the Board.
Kelly Clarkson's subtle yet satisfying message to anyone single this Christmas
The singer and daytime-talk show host released a fireside video to accompany her 2021 holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around” that she dubbed, “When Christmas Comes Around…Again.
Pope Francis reprimands Vatican staff for gossiping in annual Christmas message
Pope Francis told Vatican bureaucrats on Saturday to stop speaking ill of one another, as he once again used his annual Christmas greetings to admonish the backstabbing and gossiping among his closest collaborators.