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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

U-Pass (Universal Transit Pass)

The U-Pass program provides eligible, full-time students with unlimited travel each semester on Durham Region Transit (DRT) routes. 

Digital U-Passes are distributed to students at the beginning of each semester through the PRESTO E-Tickets app. You can download the app through your mobile device's app store today and sign in using your official student (ontariotechu.net) email address. Once a U-Pass is distributed, it will appear within the app under the Available tab.

U-Passes have been distributed for the fall 2023 semester.

Please note: You can only access your U-Pass on a single device. Once your U-Pass is activated, it cannot be accessed through another device without re-issuance. To have your U-Pass re-issued, please complete the following U-Pass Re-issue Request form. 

If you require assistance, please email connect@ontariotechu.ca.

Accessing the U-Pass

  • How-to access your pass

    Please refer to our how-to video below which provides step-by-step instructions on how to access your U-Pass:


    1. Eligible, full-time students will receive an email to their official university email address at the beginning of each semester, prompting you to access your PRESTO E-Ticket U-Pass.
    2. Search for and download the PRESTO E-Tickets app through your mobile device's app store.
    3. If it's your first time accessing an Ontario Tech U-Pass, sign-up using your student (ontariotechu.net) email address. Ensure that you spell your ontariotechu.net email address correctly when registering for the app, otherwise you will not be able to access your pass. If you already have an E-Tickets account under a personal email address, you must create a new account and register using your student email.
    4. Sign-in using your previously created account PRESTO E-Tickets app on your mobile device. Please ensure you are not using the Google sign in option in the app, as this may cause errors. Instead, you should be typing in your student email and password manually in the spaces available.
    5. After you have successfully signed-in, select the available tab and open the DRT U-Pass to activate your current semester pass. The DRT U-Pass will only display here once passes have been issued at the start of each semester. After selecting the DRT U-Pass, you will be prompted to select OK, acknowledging the expiry date. U-Passes will expire at the end of each semester.
    6. Once your U-Pass has been activated, it will appear under the active tab in the PRESTO E-Tickets app for you to access throughout the semester.
    7. Show and scan your PRESTO U-Pass E-Ticket when boarding a DRT bus. Open the QR code from your activated PRESTO E-Ticket and hold it to the barcode scanner on the PRESTO reader to validate your fare.*

    Please note:

    • When using DRT On Demand or Specialized services, you can continue to display your activated PRESTO E-Ticket and tap the screen on your smartphone to change the colour and show the driver that it's valid. 
    • Be sure to download the latest update on the PRESTO E-Ticket app in order to enable the QR code validation feature. You may be asked to sign into your account again.
    • You will need internet access to sign-in. Once you've signed in and viewed your pass, internet access will not be required moving forward.  
  • Eligibility
    Full-time students enrolled in nine credit hours or more, of a qualifying program, are automatically charged the U-Pass ancillary fee.
  • Important details
    • U-Passes will be released on a per-semester basis. Eligible students will receive an email prompting you to access your new pass through your PRESTO E-Tickets app.
    • You are required to show and scan this digital PRESTO E-Ticket each time you board DRT buses. Open the QR code from your activated PRESTO E-Ticket and hold it to the barcode scanner on the PRESTO reader to validate your fare. Note: When using DRT On Demand or Specialized services, you can continue to display your activated PRESTO E-Ticket and tap the screen on your smartphone to change the colour and show the driver that it's valid.
    • If the PRESTO E-Tickets app prompts an update, you will be asked to sign into your account again. Note: You will need access to the internet to sign in. Once you’ve signed in and accessed your pass, it won’t require internet access moving forward.
    • The U-Pass can only be downloaded on a single device. Ensure that you download the E-Tickets app only on the mobile device that you’ll be using during daily travel. Note: If you change your mobile device, reinstall the app, or complete a phone reset, after activating your U-Pass, you will lose access to it and your U-Pass will need to be re-issued. Please contact connect@ontariotechu.ca for further assistance.
    • If you don’t have a mobile device, contact connect@ontariotechu.cafor further assistance. - Students who withdraw from full-time studies by the 100 per cent refund deadline will lose access to their U-Pass.
    • Please remember that your U-Pass is for your use only. It is not transferable. Misuse of your U-Pass may result in the cancellation of your pass.

Other discounts

  • GO Transit

    As your U-Pass E-Ticket is only valid on DRT routes, you are still required to pay the fare when accessing other public transit agencies. GO Transit offers a GO-approved student ID discount for full-time students. You must apply online through the GO Transit website to be considered.


Frequently Asked Questions