GRT Upass | Gsauwaterloo

GRT UPASS

Full-time graduate students registered in “on-campus” courses on the Waterloo main campus and campuses in the Region of Waterloo are charged a mandatory non-refundable fee for the Grand River Transit (GRT) Universal bus pass (UPass). Graduate students enrolled in part-time studies are not assessed the fee. Part-time students voted to be exempt from being charged the universal fee and this is included in the GSA-GRT contract.

Your Watcard is your bus pass!

Once you have paid your GRT UPass fee, you will be able to tap your Watcard at all GRT turnstiles and buses to use the bus service. For bus/ION schedules visit the GRT website.

GRT UPass Opt Out

The GSA has a 5 year contract with GRT outlining specific criteria that permit students to opt out of the GRT UPass. Please read the information below for the details of opting out of the service. If your application is successful, you will receive a refund via your Quest account.

When to Opt Out

All UPass refund requests must be completed during the allocated Change-of-coverage period. This overlaps with our other services for consistent deadlines.

Fall Term: Sept. 3 – 23, 2025

Eligibility Criteria

(A) You are a UW student who retains a valid Canadian National Institute for the Blind (“CNIB”) registration during the current term.

(B) You are a UW student who pays fees to UW, but are taking a majority of academic courses at an out-of-region (outside Waterloo Region) University in the current term.

(C) You are a UW student who holds a valid Accessible Parking Permit issued by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, and are registered with UW Parking Services and UW AccessAbility Services at the beginning of the current term.

(D) You are a UW student who pays fees to UW, but are considered on professional or academic placement outside the Waterloo Region as part of your degree, which is not considered part of co-operative education during the current term.

(E) You are registered in a research program, have completed your program’s required coursework, and are not taking courses in the current term. *Note: You can only apply for either option E once per school year (September 1 – August 31).

(F) You are registered in a course-based program and are not taking a full course load in the current term.. *Note: You can only apply for either option F once per school year (September 1 – August 31).

Eligible students who drop out of UW or change their enrollment status at UW after the Drop Deadline per the UW Graduate Calendar shall NOT be eligible for a refund of the UPass. In such cases, eligible students who are not refunded shall continue to have access to UPass.

Opt Out - Instructional Guide

When to Opt In

Students can submit a GRT UPass Opt In form at any point throughout the term. To ensure you are able to continue to use your GRT UPass as we change terms, we recommend submitting the form 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the new term which will allow our administration team to process your form and add the GRT UPass to your Watcard.

Eligibility Criteria

(A) A Student Councillor, Director, or Officer of the GSA, or other student representative determined in accordance with the Policies & Procedures of the GSA who would otherwise be eligible for the UPass had they not adjusted their status to take on their current role.

(B) A Full-Time Student who is undertaking a reduced course schedule as a result of an accommodation as defined in UW Graduate Calendar or as otherwise defined by the University of Waterloo.

(C) A Full-Time Student that has been advised/ accommodated by the University of Waterloo to undertake a reduced course schedule or Part-Time schedule based on International Visa considerations (or similar) and who would otherwise be eligible for the UPass had they not adjusted their status.

(D) A Co-op Student (student currently engaged in a co-operative work term who would otherwise be eligible for the UPass) that may not have been assessed the UPass fee.

(E) Graduate students enrolled at University of Waterloo/University of Waterloo Satellite campuses that may not have been assessed the UPass fee.

(F) Graduate students in the region of Waterloo who are on maternity leave or medical leave.

If you are NOT eligible for any of the accommodation criteria, you can purchase a GRT monthly pass from UW Turnkey Desk in the Student Life Centre at the University of Waterloo.

Opt Out - Instructional Guide

Your Watcard is your bus pass!

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GRT UPass Opt Out

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When to Opt Out

When to Opt In