Exemptions

To determine if you’re eligible for a U-Pass exemption for living outside of OC Transpo service areas, we recommend you use GeoOttawa, an interactive map tool used by the City of Ottawa to identify transit service zones. This tool will determine if you live inside or outside OC Transpo transit zones. The University uses the same method to determine whether or not we can approve an exemption based on location.

Use GeoOttawa to determine whether or not you live in OC Transpo transit zones

Step 1

Go to GeoOttawa and agree to the terms and conditions.

Step 2

In the top right icon bar, open the “Layer List” and uncheck all boxes except “Development Charges” and “Rural Transit Areas.” The Rural Transit Areas A and B will be shown in green and blue respectively.

Step 3

In the top left of the screen, enter your address.

If your address is in the centre of Ottawa or in the Green section, you cannot be exempted of the U-Pass program. If your address is in the blue section or does not appear, you may submit an exemption. The uOttawa Card Service will evaluate your request once received.

Provide supporting documentation

One valid piece of government-issued ID (preferably a driver’s licence) bearing your name and address, and:

• A utility bill (hydro, cable) issued within the past two months and bearing your name, address and the date. If you live with your parents, spouse, common law partner, relative or guardian and you have no utility bills in your name, a parent, spouse, common law partner, relative or guardian can submit a signed attestation letter to legally confirm that you reside with them. The signed attestation letter must include your name, your complete address, your student number, and the term in question. OC Transpo evaluates each request on a case-by-case basis. Hand-written letters are not acceptable.
• An official rental contract or lease dated during the current academic year, that lists your complete name and address. A typed or hand-written contract is not acceptable.

Note: blurring out confidential information is perfectly acceptable.

Supporting documentation that is not acceptable

• A cell phone bill
• Bank statements
• Revenue Canada notifications
• Hand-written letters
• Any other document that does not prove that you live outside the service areas.

If your supporting documents indicate that you live outside of Ontario or Quebec, or outside the National Capital Region (such as in Montreal or Toronto) you may be asked to provide additional documentation.

To determine if you’re eligible for a U-Pass exemption for living outside of STO service area, we recommend you use Atlas V3, an interactive map tool used by City of Gatineau to identify transit service zones. This tool will determine if you live inside or outside STO transit zones. The University uses the same method to determine whether or not we can approve an exemption based on location.

Use Atlas V3 to determine whether or not you live in STO transit zones

Step 1

Go to the City of Gatineau Atlas V3 interactive map.

Step 2

In the top left of the screen, enter your address.  If the Geocoder does not find your address within the zone, you can submit an exemption. The uOttawa Card Service will evaluate your request once received.

Provide supporting documentation

One valid piece of government-issued ID (preferably a driver’s licence) bearing your name and address, and:

• A utility bill (hydro, cable) issued within the past two months and bearing your name, address and the date. If you live with your parents, spouse, common law partner, relative or guardian and you have no utility bills in your name, a parent, spouse, common law partner, relative or guardian can submit a signed attestation letter to legally confirm that you reside with them. The signed attestation letter must include your name, your complete address, your student number, and the term in question. STO evaluates each request on a case-by-case basis. Hand-written letters are not acceptable.
• An official rental contract or lease dated during the current academic year, that lists your complete name and address. A typed or hand-written contract is not acceptable.

Note: blurring out confidential information is perfectly acceptable.

Supporting documentation that is not acceptable

• A cell phone bill
• Bank statements
• Revenue Canada notifications
• Hand-written letters
• Any other document that does not prove that you live outside the service areas.

If your supporting documents indicate that you live outside of Ontario or Quebec, or outside the National Capital Region (such as in Montreal or Toronto) you may be asked to provide additional documentation.

Submit an exemption request if you will be outside the Ottawa-Gatineau region for at least 60 days per term for one of the following reasons:

You are conducting research

Submit a letter from your research supervisor. The letter must state the exact location and dates during which you will be outside the Ottawa-Gatineau region, as well as the deadline for completing your thesis or research.  

You take part in an internship

Provide an official letter from your department, written by the person responsible for the exchange or academic activity, that states your name, the activity dates, and its location.

If you are unable to use public transit due to functional limitations related to your disability, please contact your learning specialist at [email protected] to begin the exemption process and/or discuss support for an Exemption request for students registered with Academic Accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Your request must be submitted through uoZone and supported by your learning specialist, who will confirm if your application should be processed. Please note that OC Transpo has the final decision on whether you can be exempted from mandatory U-Pass program.

Submit the following supporting documentation:

• A photo of your U-Pass from another postsecondary institution in Ottawa
• A statement of account from the other postsecondary institution that shows that you have been billed for U-Pass fees.

Submit your CNIB number and a copy of your CNIB card with your request.

Submit the following supporting documents:

• Proof of enrolment in Para Transpo
• Proof of residence in the Rural A public transit area. This could be a utility, cable, or residential telephone bill in your name. This could be a utility, cable, or residential telephone bill in your name. 

Submit:

• A signed copy of your CO-OP employment contract that specifies the dates and location of work (if your work term is outside the region).

or

• A letter from your employer stating that your CO-OP work term is entirely online and specifying the dates of your employment.