U-Pass for post-secondary students

Available for fall and spring/summer semesters

The Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) provides full-time post-secondary students at participating colleges and universities unlimited travel on DRT services.

The following institutions participate in DRT's U-Pass program:

Durham College
Trent University Durham GTA
Ontario Tech University

Did you know...

Your tuition includes the cost of a DRT U-Pass.

U-Passes are $150, a cost that is included in each full-time student’s tuition at participating post-secondary schools.
The pass is valid for each four-month semester that a student is enrolled full-time in post-secondary education.
The U-Pass is not just for travel to campus. Students can use their U-Passes to travel anywhere, anytime for any reason on DRT’s full network of services.

DRT has enhanced service to post-secondary campuses, providing more options and more frequent service across Durham.

Route 920 operates every 15 minutes, offering direct travel between Scarborough and Oshawa, connecting Durham College North Campus and Ontario Tech U
PULSE 900 operates every 10 minutes between Pickering and downtown Oshawa, connecting to Trent University (Durham)
PULSE 901 operates every 10 minutes between Downtown Oshawa and the Durham College North Campus Terminal
Route 905 operates every 15 minutes during high demand times between Whitby Station and the Durham College North Campus to support post-secondary travel
Route 917 operates every 15 minutes during high demand times between Whitby Station and the Oshawa Centre Terminal to support post-secondary travel to the Durham College Whitby Campus.
Five new local routes support travel to communities throughout Durham Region, connecting with key corridors and major destinations
PULSE 915 and PULSE 916, two new PULSE rapid bus routes, offer 15-minute service across key corridors of the Region

Please contact your institution to learn more about eligibility for the U-Pass and how to access the new digital U-Pass through the PRESTO E-Ticket app.

Don't see your school? Use our customer comment form to seek more information.

For more information and FAQs on the Student PRESTO Program, visit Prestocard.ca

New pilot program - PRESTO Universal Transit Pass (UPASS)

Durham Region Transit (DRT) is launching a new digital transit pass for full-time post-secondary students called the PRESTO UPASS.

This digital pass is part of a pilot program designed for Durham College, Trent University, Ontario Tech University and students. The PRESTO UPASS replaces traditional physical passes, providing transit riders a more convenient and environmentally friendly solution.

How the PRESTO UPASS works:
The PRESTO UPASS is a digital transit pass that is available on your smartphone. This pass lets you use your phone to take transit instead of carrying a physical card: Easy to use: Simply tap your phone on the PRESTO device when boarding DRT buses or entering transit terminals. You can also choose to open the pass on your phone and show it to the bus driver when you board. Always accessible: As long as you have your smartphone, you have your UPASS. Eco-friendly: A digital pass helps reduce plastic waste and supports a more environmentally friendly Durham Region. For more information about PRESTO vouchers, visit this link.
Getting started with your PRESTO UPASS:
Check your eligibility: Students at Durham College, Trent University, and Ontario Tech University who have paid the UPASS fee are eligible. Look for an email from your school or DRT confirming that you are eligible. Download the app: Install the PRESTO app on your phone. For the best experience, make sure your smartphone is updated to the latest software version. Activate your UPASS: Follow the instructions in the activation email to add your pass to your phone’s mobile wallet (Google Pay or Apple Wallet). Start using your pass: Unlock your phone and tap it on the PRESTO device when boarding a bus, or show it to the bus driver.
PRESTO in Apple Wallet
Important: Before converting your physical PRESTO card to a digital PRESTO card in Apple Wallet, you need to redeem any voucher codes you’ve been provided, such as your UPASS, to make sure they are transferred over when you convert your card. Device settings: You must have iOS version 16.4 or later and your phone must support Apple Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC). Install necessary apps: Download and install the PRESTO app from the App Store. Download and install Apple Wallet if you haven’t already. Redeem your voucher code: Sign in to your PRESTO account. Scroll down and select "Enter Voucher Code." Enter your UPASS voucher code, review your voucher details and tap “Done.” Your UPASS will be ready to use immediately. Convert physical card to Apple Wallet: Open the PRESTO app and sign in. Select the physical PRESTO card you want to convert. Choose the option to "Add to Apple Wallet" and follow the on-screen instructions. Once converted, your physical PRESTO card will no longer work. Converting a physical PRESTO card to a mobile wallet card can’t be undone. Using PRESTO with Apple Wallet: Double-press the side button or use Face ID/Touch ID to access your pass. You can also choose to set up Express Mode for quick and easy tapping. With Express Mode, you can use PRESTO in Apple Wallet to tap to pay without waking or unlocking your Apple device, or authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. Learn how to set up to Express Mode on your PRESTO in Apple Wallet card. Hold your iPhone near the PRESTO reader when boarding. Important reminders: Device requirements: Don’t convert your card to Apple Wallet unless your phone meets all the required device settings. Mid-trip card conversion: Don’t convert your card while in the middle of a trip. Finish your trip and make sure your transfer window has ended before starting the conversion process. For more information about PRESTO in Apple Wallet, visit this link.
PRESTO in Google Wallet
Important: Before converting your physical PRESTO card to a digital PRESTO card in Google Wallet, you need to redeem any voucher codes you’ve been provided, such as your UPASS, to make sure they are transferred over when you convert your card. Device settings: Your phone must have Android 7.0 or higher and needs to support Google Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC). Install necessary apps: Download and install the PRESTO app from the Google Play Store. Download and install Google Wallet if you haven’t already, and sign into your Google Account. Redeem your voucher code: Sign in to your PRESTO account. Scroll down and select “Enter Voucher Code” Enter your UPASS voucher code, review your voucher details and tap “Done.” Your UPASS will be ready to use immediately. Convert physical card to Google Wallet: Open the PRESTO app and sign in. Select the physical PRESTO card you want to convert. Choose the option to "Add to Google Wallet" and follow the on-screen instructions. Once converted, your physical PRESTO card will no longer work. Converting a physical PRESTO card to a mobile wallet card can’t be undone. Using PRESTO with Google Wallet: Wake up your phone. Hold the back of your phone near the PRESTO reader when boarding. Make sure NFC is turned on. Important reminders: Device requirements: Don’t convert your card to Google Wallet unless your phone meets all the required device settings. Mid-trip card conversion: Don’t convert your card while in the middle of a trip. Finish your trip and make sure your transfer window has ended before starting the conversion process. For more information about PRESTO in Google Wallet, visit this link.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is eligible for the Mobile Wallet UPASS Pilot? A: For the Winter 2025 Semester, 200 students will be selected by their schools to participate as pilot users. The PRESTO UPASS will be available starting in September 2025 for all students at Durham College, Trent University, and Ontario Tech University who have paid the UPASS fee. Q: What devices are compatible? A: iPhone with iOS 16.4 or later and supports Apple Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC). Android phones with Android 7.0 and supports Google Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC). Q: Do I need an internet connection to use my UPASS? A: An internet connection is not required to tap your UPASS to travel, but you will need an internet connection to activate your UPASS voucher code, add funds to your PRESTO card or check your card details. Q: What if my phone is lost or stolen? A: Contact your post-secondary institution for more guidance and next steps. Next, contact DRT at 1-(866)-247-0055 to deactivate your pass. It can be transferred to a new device after contacting support. Apple Wallet If an iPhone or Apple Watch is misplaced or lost, your PRESTO card in Apple Wallet will be suspended once the device is marked as “lost” in the Find My app. The card can be reactivated once your device is recovered. You can recover your card by: Log into iCloud.com, select "Account Settings" Select your old iPhone and follow the prompts to "Remove all" from Apple Wallet On your new device, sign in to your Apple ID Open your Apple Wallet and select add new card Select Transit Pass Select "previous cards" and your card will be listed there Google Wallet If you registered your PRESTO in Google Wallet card to your PRESTO account, you can recover your card by signing in to the PRESTO app on a new device, removing the card from your old device and adding to the new device. On your new device: Open the Google Wallet app and select your PRESTO card. In the top right corner select the three vertical dots. Scroll down and select “Move card to another device”. This will allow you to deactivate your PRESTO card and then reactivate it again after the factory reset is complete. Once your factory reset is complete and the Google Wallet app is installed select the 'Activate' option to reactivate your card. Q: What happens if my phone’s battery dies while travelling? A: For Android devices, you need to have enough battery power to finish your transit trip. If your battery dies and you need to tap to board or transfer a transit vehicle, you’ll need to pay a regular fare with another payment method. If you’re using an iPhone, PRESTO in Apple Wallet will still work. The Power Reserve feature provides up to five hours of support, so you can still ride. Q: Can I share my UPASS with someone else? A: No. The UPASS is non-transferable. It is directly linked to your student ID. Q: Can I request a physical pass instead? A: Yes, you can use a physical PRESTO card. You’ll need to add your PRESTO card to your PRESTO account and redeem your UPASS voucher on the PRESTO website For more information, FAQs and answers, visit this link.

How the PRESTO UPASS works:

The PRESTO UPASS is a digital transit pass that is available on your smartphone. This pass lets you use your phone to take transit instead of carrying a physical card:

Easy to use: Simply tap your phone on the PRESTO device when boarding DRT buses or entering transit terminals. You can also choose to open the pass on your phone and show it to the bus driver when you board.
Always accessible: As long as you have your smartphone, you have your UPASS.
Eco-friendly: A digital pass helps reduce plastic waste and supports a more environmentally friendly Durham Region.

For more information about PRESTO vouchers, visit this link.

Getting started with your PRESTO UPASS:

Check your eligibility:
Students at Durham College, Trent University, and Ontario Tech University who have paid the UPASS fee are eligible. Look for an email from your school or DRT confirming that you are eligible.
Download the app:
Install the PRESTO app on your phone. For the best experience, make sure your smartphone is updated to the latest software version.
Activate your UPASS:
Follow the instructions in the activation email to add your pass to your phone’s mobile wallet (Google Pay or Apple Wallet).
Start using your pass:
Unlock your phone and tap it on the PRESTO device when boarding a bus, or show it to the bus driver.

PRESTO in Apple Wallet

Important: Before converting your physical PRESTO card to a digital PRESTO card in Apple Wallet, you need to redeem any voucher codes you’ve been provided, such as your UPASS, to make sure they are transferred over when you convert your card.

Device settings:

You must have iOS version 16.4 or later and your phone must support Apple Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC).

Install necessary apps:

Download and install the PRESTO app from the App Store.
Download and install Apple Wallet if you haven’t already.

Redeem your voucher code:

Sign in to your PRESTO account.
Scroll down and select "Enter Voucher Code."
Enter your UPASS voucher code, review your voucher details and tap “Done.” Your UPASS will be ready to use immediately.

Convert physical card to Apple Wallet:

Open the PRESTO app and sign in.
Select the physical PRESTO card you want to convert.
Choose the option to "Add to Apple Wallet" and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once converted, your physical PRESTO card will no longer work. Converting a physical PRESTO card to a mobile wallet card can’t be undone.

Using PRESTO with Apple Wallet:
- Double-press the side button or use Face ID/Touch ID to access your pass.
- You can also choose to set up Express Mode for quick and easy tapping. With Express Mode, you can use PRESTO in Apple Wallet to tap to pay without waking or unlocking your Apple device, or authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. Learn how to set up to Express Mode on your PRESTO in Apple Wallet card.
- Hold your iPhone near the PRESTO reader when boarding.

Important reminders:

Device requirements: Don’t convert your card to Apple Wallet unless your phone meets all the required device settings.
Mid-trip card conversion: Don’t convert your card while in the middle of a trip. Finish your trip and make sure your transfer window has ended before starting the conversion process.

For more information about PRESTO in Apple Wallet, visit this link.

PRESTO in Google Wallet

Important: Before converting your physical PRESTO card to a digital PRESTO card in Google Wallet, you need to redeem any voucher codes you’ve been provided, such as your UPASS, to make sure they are transferred over when you convert your card.

Device settings:

Your phone must have Android 7.0 or higher and needs to support Google Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC).

Install necessary apps:

Download and install the PRESTO app from the Google Play Store.
Download and install Google Wallet if you haven’t already, and sign into your Google Account.

Redeem your voucher code:

Sign in to your PRESTO account.
Scroll down and select “Enter Voucher Code”
Enter your UPASS voucher code, review your voucher details and tap “Done.” Your UPASS will be ready to use immediately.

Convert physical card to Google Wallet:

Open the PRESTO app and sign in.
Select the physical PRESTO card you want to convert.
Choose the option to "Add to Google Wallet" and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once converted, your physical PRESTO card will no longer work. Converting a physical PRESTO card to a mobile wallet card can’t be undone.

Using PRESTO with Google Wallet:
- Wake up your phone.
- Hold the back of your phone near the PRESTO reader when boarding.
- Make sure NFC is turned on.

Important reminders:

Device requirements: Don’t convert your card to Google Wallet unless your phone meets all the required device settings.
Mid-trip card conversion: Don’t convert your card while in the middle of a trip. Finish your trip and make sure your transfer window has ended before starting the conversion process.

For more information about PRESTO in Google Wallet, visit this link.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q: Who is eligible for the Mobile Wallet UPASS Pilot?
A: For the Winter 2025 Semester, 200 students will be selected by their schools to participate as pilot users. The PRESTO UPASS will be available starting in September 2025 for all students at Durham College, Trent University, and Ontario Tech University who have paid the UPASS fee.

Q: What devices are compatible?
A: iPhone with iOS 16.4 or later and supports Apple Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC). Android phones with Android 7.0 and supports Google Wallet with Near Field Communication (NFC).

Q: Do I need an internet connection to use my UPASS?
A: An internet connection is not required to tap your UPASS to travel, but you will need an internet connection to activate your UPASS voucher code, add funds to your PRESTO card or check your card details.

Q: What if my phone is lost or stolen?
A: Contact your post-secondary institution for more guidance and next steps. Next, contact DRT at 1-(866)-247-0055 to deactivate your pass. It can be transferred to a new device after contacting support.

Apple Wallet

If an iPhone or Apple Watch is misplaced or lost, your PRESTO card in Apple Wallet will be suspended once the device is marked as “lost” in the Find My app. The card can be reactivated once your device is recovered.

You can recover your card by:

Log into iCloud.com, select "Account Settings"
Select your old iPhone and follow the prompts to "Remove all" from Apple Wallet
On your new device, sign in to your Apple ID
Open your Apple Wallet and select add new card
Select Transit Pass
Select "previous cards" and your card will be listed there

Google Wallet

If you registered your PRESTO in Google Wallet card to your PRESTO account, you can recover your card by signing in to the PRESTO app on a new device, removing the card from your old device and adding to the new device. On your new device:

Open the Google Wallet app and select your PRESTO card.
In the top right corner select the three vertical dots.
Scroll down and select “Move card to another device”. This will allow you to deactivate your PRESTO card and then reactivate it again after the factory reset is complete.
Once your factory reset is complete and the Google Wallet app is installed select the 'Activate' option to reactivate your card.

Q: What happens if my phone’s battery dies while travelling?
A: For Android devices, you need to have enough battery power to finish your transit trip. If your battery dies and you need to tap to board or transfer a transit vehicle, you’ll need to pay a regular fare with another payment method.

If you’re using an iPhone, PRESTO in Apple Wallet will still work. The Power Reserve feature provides up to five hours of support, so you can still ride.

Q: Can I share my UPASS with someone else?
A: No. The UPASS is non-transferable. It is directly linked to your student ID.

Q: Can I request a physical pass instead?
A: Yes, you can use a physical PRESTO card. You’ll need to add your PRESTO card to your PRESTO account and redeem your UPASS voucher on the PRESTO website

For more information, FAQs and answers, visit this link.