GRT U-Pass Update: New Routes and Increased Service Starting September 2nd!
Starting September 2nd, GRT is enhancing your commute with new routes and increased services just in time for fall. Whether you’re catching a ride to campus or heading out around the city, these changes are designed to make your journey easier.
Get all the details on what’s new here.
Got questions? Need more info? Reach out here.
About
Your Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) negotiates with GRT so we can have unlimited, safe and affordable access to public transportation across the Waterloo region.
Eligible students can use their WatCard for unlimited rides on Grand River Transit bus and light rail systems. The fee for the U-Pass program is assessed through UW’s billing process and the U-Pass is valid for each school term: September to December; January to April; May to August.
This program uses collective bargaining, by WUSA on behalf of all undergraduates, to save each student over $850 over the course of the school year. That’s a savings of over $3200 in a typical 4-year degree. Students must have a Canadian bank account on Quest by the end of October in order to receive their direct deposit refund later this term. If not, that credit will roll over into paying towards your next term of fees.
For bus/ION schedules, visit the GRT website.
Don’t forget to thank your friendly bus drivers!
Eligibility – Who qualifies?
All full-time students, Waterloo Undergraduates, will be charged the fee on their academic terms.
Full-time students: You must be taking at least three courses (or 1.5 credits) to automatically be charged the U-Pass fee on Quest.
These conditions affect your access to GRT’s systems:
- GBDA or Aviation student on Full-time Academic Term: You were not automatically charged in case you live in Stratford full-time. You can buy into a U-Pass at the discounted rate at the SLC or DC Turnkey Desk.
- New Watcard: Tap verification with a brand new WatCard should start working in 2 to 4 days. GRT’s data gets updated on a daily basis by WatCard on behalf of WUSA.
- Did you just become Fees arranged? Tap verification systems will take 2 to 4 days to update.
Winter 2025 U-Pass Opt-in Period: December 1st, 2024 to February 28th, 2025
Students can opt-in at the SLC or DC Turnkey Desk. After payment, it takes 2-3 business days to activate onto the WatCard.
Not Taking Three Classes?
- Part-time students enrolled in only 1-2 courses can opt into the U-Pass. Part-time students are not automatically charged in the Quest Finance Statement.
- Co-op students in the second half of an 8-month co-op can opt into U-Pass. The second half of the co-op is not automatically charged in the Quest Finance Statement.
If you run into an issue with access, reach out through us General Inquiries form.
If you do not meet the requirements of the program i.e. post-graduation, GRT EasyGO fare cards are available for purchase at both SLC & DC Turnkey Desks.
The EasyGo card activation fee is $5. With this card, ride fares are reduced to $3 ($3.75 cash fare) with 90 minutes transfer time.
For other GRT fare options, follow this link: https://www.grt.ca/en/fares-passes/fares.aspx
Eligible for a refund this term?
The Winter 2025 Refund Request form will open on January 1st -31st, 2025
The Spring 2025 Refund Request form will open on May 1st-31st, 2025
*Proof needed to opt-out, please make sure all proof of documentation must include your full name printed clearly.
Students who belong to the following cases are eligible for a refund:
A. If all or the majority of your classes are online:
UW students taking less than 3 on-campus courses.
Please upload a picture of your class schedule as your document. “Online” classes need to specifically be delivered online, without a classroom location on your schedule of classes. * You may find it on Quest.
B. For out-of-Region academic or work placements:
UW students who pay their fees to UW, but are considered on professional or academic placement outside the Waterloo Region as part of their degree, which is not considered part of co-operative education.
UW students who pay their fees to UW, but are taking a majority of their academic courses at an out-of-region (outside Waterloo Region) University in the same School Term as they are charged for the U-Pass
Please submit a letter from the organization/ institution or some other relevant documentation.
C. For the accessibility opt-out cases:
UW students who retain a valid Canadian National Institute for the Blind (“CNIB”) registration during a given School Term.
Please upload a photo of the MTO “blue wheelchair” accessible parking permit or CNIB card.
*Winter 2025 Refund Request form will be open from January 1st-31st, 2025
You will be contacted through email once your documents are accepted. We will also follow up if we need more information or different documentation.
MobilityPLUS and U-Passes
Full-time students who use GRT’s MobilityPLUS service can pay to ride MobilityPLUS using their U-Pass.
We ask students to provide proof that they are enrolled in a full-time program, for example a tuition receipt. They will then be mailed a paper pass each month.
Contact GRTmplus@regionofwaterloo.ca to get set up.
If you lose your WatCard with a U-Pass, go to the WatCard office to replace your student card.
Transit Hubs
The GRT system connects the Tri-Cities (Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge) together. GRT operates seven days a week and covers over 50 routes. The #7 (main line) and iXpress are the most popular bus routes, as they pass through many major centres around Kitchener-Waterloo. In addition, the ION Light Rail system runs from Fairway Mall through Uptown Waterloo to Conestoga Mall, connecting Kitchener to Waterloo. UW Station transit plaza is located in UW’s East Campus near Engineering 5.
Use Google Maps to see your transit options. Google Maps is synced with live GRT bus times.
Places to Explore
The following routes will get you to all the hot spots:
- Ion to Conestoga Mall
- Ion to Waterloo Park
- Ion to Uptown Waterloo
- 201 to Sobeys Columbia Plaza
- 202 to the Boardwalk
- 19 to St. Jacobs Farmers Market
- Ion to many notable places in Downtown Kitchener and the beautiful Victoria Park
- Ion to Centre in the Square for a concert
- Ion and short walk to Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
…Or take your bike for a spin in a different part of town. All buses have bike racks, or you’re welcome to take it on the ION!