UVic Campus Guide: U-Pass, Umo, Bikes and Parking

Most UVic life happens on the Gordon Head campus, where the library, The Cove, CARSA and the residences sit in and around Ring Road. If you're taking at least one on-campus course for credit, you're automatically charged for a U-Pass, which covers buses in the Victoria Regional Transit System. Your ONECard isn't a bus pass anymore: each term you get a benefit code in MyBusPass and load it into the Umo app or a reloadable Umo card.

Sources checked October 2, 2026. View sources

Getting around the Gordon Head campus

The Mearns Centre for Learning – McPherson Library is inside Ring Road, across from the student residences.
The Cove dining hall is in Cheko'nien House, beside the Student Union Building, off Ring Road.
CARSA, the recreation centre, has its parkade off Vikes Way at McKenzie Avenue.
UVic residences are on the Gordon Head campus. If your program is at the West Shore campus, plan for the commute between the two before you apply for residence.

UVic Libraries: Mearns Centre for Learning – McPherson Library UVic Food Services: The Cove Vikes Recreation: facilities and hours UVic Residence Services: first-year and deferral students

How the U-Pass works

Students enrolled in at least one on-campus course for credit are charged for the U-Pass automatically, under UVSS and GSS policies. You activate it every term with a new benefit code.

How the U-Pass works
Option	How to set it up
Umo app (BC Transit's recommended option)	Download Umo Mobility, create an account, get your code from MyBusPass in Online Tools, choose Redeem Benefit, set the agency to Victoria Regional Transit and enter the code
Reloadable Umo card	Pick one up free at the UVSS info booth in the SUB, Halpern Graduate Centre room 102 or the Continuing Studies Building, register it at ca.umopass.com, then redeem your code under My Wallet

You can use the app or a card, not both.
On the bus, show your app's QR code or tap your card on the validator and wait for the green checkmark.
Only move your Umo account to a new device if yours is lost, damaged or replaced. Logging in on someone else's phone can get your pass revoked.
International students may need a VPN or to change their app store country to download Umo before arriving.

UVic: student bus pass (U-Pass)

Cycling

UVic has over 4,000 bike parking spaces, many covered, and lockers you can rent for your bike and gear.
BikeHub refurbishes used bikes and rents them to students, and offers cheap tune-ups, parts and repairs.
Register your bike free with Project 529 Garage, which works with local police and the West Shore RCMP to recover stolen bikes.

UVic Campus Security: commuter services

Parking

Parking permits are bought online through UVic's parking system, and Campus Security handles parking services. Check UVic's parking pages for permit types and rates before you bring a car, because the U-Pass already covers local buses.

UVic: transportation and parking

Keep exploring

UVic first-year residences compared →UVic student life →University of Victoria guide →

Sources and updates

This independent guide summarizes the official information linked below. Availability, access rules and application cycles can change; check the relevant university page before making a decision.