Frequently asked questions

General questions

• Is my program eligible for the U-Pass?

  All programs are eligible for the U-Pass - except those that are fully online or based off-site.

  If you have registered for courses and do not see the U-Pass fee on your tuition account, please email upass@ontariotechu.ca and include your full name and student number.

• Is the U-Pass available to part-time students?

  Part-time students may be able to access the U-Pass. If you are a part-time student, please email upass@ontariotechu.ca and include your full name and student number.

  If you are taking a part-time course load and are registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS), please contact your SAS advisor to request full-time ancillary fees. 

• I have registered for courses. When can I expect to receive my U-Pass voucher code?

  If you register before the semester starts, your voucher code will be emailed to you closer to the start of the term.

  If you register after the semester has started, your voucher code will be emailed to you within one business day after registering.

• Can I opt-out of the U-Pass fee?

  The U-Pass fee is a mandatory ancillary fee for eligible students which ensures that all Ontario Tech students can access Durham Region Transit at a lower cost that would not be possible on an individual basis. Opting out of this fee is not possible. 

  For more information on this mandatory fee, please visit our Ancillary fees web page.

• I cannot access my U-Pass and had to pay my fare out of pocket. How can I request a refund?

  If you were unable to access your U-Pass and had to pay DRT fare out of pocket, please call the PRESTO Contact Centre at 1-877-378-6123 to request a refund. 

  Be sure to describe the technical issue you experienced so their team can investigate.

PRESTO

• Can I use my PRESTO card or the PRESTO app to access the U-Pass?

  The U-Pass is now available for use with physical and digital PRESTO cards only. It is no longer accessible with the PRESTO E-Tickets app.

  Visit our How to access your U-Pass web page for instructions on loading your voucher onto your PRESTO card.

• I already have a PRESTO account registered under a personal email address. Can I access my U-Pass through this account?

  Your PRESTO account does not need to be created using your ontariotechu.net email address.

  You will be able to redeem your voucher once your PRESTO card is registered to your account.

• I have a digital PRESTO card. What happens if my phone loses power during my travels?

  If you are an Android user, make sure your phone has enough battery power to tap your PRESTO card. If your battery dies, you will be required to pay your fare out of pocket. To avoid paying this fee, please ensure that your phone is always charged. Charging stations are available on-campus for student use.

  If you are an iPhone user with Express Mode enabled, the Power Reserve feature allows you to tap your PRESTO card for up to five hours after your battery dies.

• Do I need an internet connection to use my U-Pass with a digital PRESTO card?
  You will need an internet connection to download the PRESTO app, redeem your voucher and check your card details. It is not required when tapping your card during daily travel.
• What if I lose or factory reset my phone?

  For PRESTO in Apple Wallet:

  1. Report your device as lost in the Find My app immediately. This will also suspend your PRESTO card.
  2. Log into your iCloud account, select the person icon in the top right corner and select Manage Apple Account.
  3. Tap the drop-down arrow beside Apple Account, then tap Devices.
  4. Select your lost device, navigate to the Wallet & Apple Pay section and tap Remove Items.
  5. Follow the prompts to remove your cards from Apple Wallet.
  6. Sign in with your Apple ID on your new device.
  7. Open Apple Wallet and tap the plus icon. 
  8. Select Previous Cards and follow the prompts.

  For PRESTO in Google Wallet:

  1. Open the Google Wallet app on your new device and select your PRESTO card.
  2. Select the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
  3. Scroll down and select Move card to another device. This will allow you to deactivate your PRESTO card and reactivate it after the factory reset is complete.
  4. Once the factory reset is complete, install the Google Wallet app and select Activate.
  5. Follow the on-screen prompts to reactivate your card.

  Please note: These steps cannot be completed if your card has not been registered to your PRESTO account.

• What if I lose or damage my physical card?

  Watch our how-to video below for instructions on how to cancel your lost or damaged PRESTO card and transfer your U-Pass to your new card.

  Visit PRESTO's website for more information on reporting a lost card.

  Please note: Your original card must be registered to your PRESTO account before you can report it as lost.

  If you experience any issues with replacing your card, please call the PRESTO Contact Centre at 1-877-378-6123.

• Do I need to load money onto my PRESTO card to redeem my voucher?

  If you are using a digital PRESTO card, your card must have a minimum balance of $0.05 before you can redeem your voucher. If you need to load money onto your card, visit PRESTO's website for instructions. 

  There is no minimum balance required to redeem your voucher with a physical PRESTO card.

• Who do I contact for technical support with my U-Pass or the PRESTO app?
  Please call the PRESTO Contact Centre at 1-877-378-6123.

Transit

• Can I use the U-Pass for transit agencies other than Durham Region Transit?

  Your U-Pass voucher is valid for Durham Region Transit (DRT), and only for each semester that you qualify.

  Once you redeem your voucher, the post-secondary (PS1) fare type will automatically be applied to your PRESTO card, which will allow you to pay a discounted fare when travelling on GO Transit. There is no need to apply for the GO Transit discount if you have received a U-Pass.

  You will also pay a discounted fare when transferring from DRT to other transit agencies included in the One Fare program. For questions regarding One Fare, please call the PRESTO Contact Centre at 1-877-378-6123.

• I am not eligible for the U-Pass. Are there any other discounts that I qualify for?

  All full-time students are eligible for the GO Transit post-secondary student discount, whether or not they have received a U-Pass.

  If you have registered for courses and have not been charged the U-Pass fee, please email upass@ontariotechu.ca and include your full name and student number.