Transportation
Western may seem like a city in itself, but there’s so much more beyond the main gates of Campus to see and explore. Here’s everything you need to know to get you where you’re going.
About The Universal Bus Pass
Every full time undergraduate student is issued a London Transit Bus Pass. This is valid for free unlimited rides, at all bus stop locations, at all hours of operation, seven days a week (including holidays). Some will use it simply to ride the 2 Dundas route over and over again each morning to get to class. Others will take full advantage of this opportunity and use this cost-free ticket to experience all the city of London has to offer.
**In collaboration with the LTC, the USC is committed to providing Western Students with a Universal Bus Pass. As part of the continued efforts to create a more efficient program, the Paper Pass is being phased out in favour of the Western One tap card. However, until further notice, we will continue to provide a paper bus pass to those students who have yet to receive the MIFARE Western One Card.**
Transportation Options
- allow yourself extra time getting to where you need to go
- check your routes for the most accurate arrival times and detour information by using realtime.londontransit.ca vs. any Apps which are not supported by LTC
- travel off peak if possible
- follow LTC on Twitter for service updates
- are aware of the Travel Safe program
Unfortunately, as part of the contract with the LTC, we are not able to process any opt-outs of the bus pass fee.
- In the meantime, students who do not have an active bus pass can purchase LTC bus tickets from the USC Info Source located on the main floor of the University Community Centre (UCC Building). This is a much more cost effective option as bus tickets are $2.25 per ticket when purchased in a strip of 5 for a total of $11.25 vs. $3.00 per ride if you are paying in cash on the bus.
About the Bus Pass
- Every full time undergraduate student is issued a London Transit Bus Pass. This is valid for free unlimited rides, at all bus stop locations, at all hours of operation, seven days a week (including holidays). Some will use it simply to ride the 2 Dundas route over and over again each morning to get to class. Others will take full advantage of this opportunity and use this cost-free ticket to experience all the city of London has to offer.
- In collaboration with the LTC, the USC is committed to providing Western Students with a Universal Bus Pass. As part of the continued efforts to create a more efficient program, the Paper Pass is being phased out in favor of the Western One tap card. However, until further notice, we will continue to provide a paper bus pass to those students who have yet to receive the MIFARE Western One Card.
How do I get my pass?
- If you require a paper bus pass, please come to InfoSource in the UCC Atrium for pickup. You will be required to show your Western One card for pickup
- Paper passes can only be distributed to individuals for whom the Western One card does not function as a bus pass, or those registered full time students without a Western One card.
- Collection times are August 31st through September 3rd, 2021 between 10:00am and 3:00pm
- Distribution will again start on September 7th in the same location during regular hours of operation.
How do I use my pass?
- Tap your enabled One card or present your paper pass and One card to be able to ride the LTC. First and second-year students should exclusively be using their bus pass enabled One card.
When does my pass expire?
- Every bus pass is valid from September 1st to August 31st (the entire school year and through the summer). That means that if you are living or working in London through the summer holidays, you can continue to use the bus pass from the previous school year!
What if I lose my pass?
- Losing a bus pass can be frustrating, but the good news is that you shouldn’t have to pay for a new LTC membership. Simply email the bus pass administrator (usc.buspass@uwo.ca ) to ask if your bus pass has been returned to their office. If it has, you can reclaim your pass Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm (with the proper I.D.) You can also check in with Lost and Found at the Campus Police office.
- If you have lost your student card and bus pass you can replace your One card at Student Central (there will be a replacement fee). Your new One card will be Bus Pass enabled, so you can continue to ride the LTC. You will not need to replace the paper pass.
Can I use someone else’s pass?
- No- using anyone’s Bus Pass but your own is considered fraud and can result in the Bus Pass’ confiscation. The LTC or the University Students’ Council reserves the right to confiscate suspected illegitimate passes. Photocopied bus passes are also considered fraud and we are required to turn them over to the Campus Police for investigation and can result in the Bus Pass’ being confiscated, all the way up to censure and possible expulsion. If you wish to appeal the decision to confiscate your bus pass, you may e-mail njoyce2@uwo.ca with the heading “Attn: Bus Pass Administrator”. *Please note there will be a $50.00 administration fee if your appeal is successful. In short, if you lose your pass and try to get away with using someone else’s pass, it is likely you will both end up with no pass. At least you’ll have a friend to walk with? (http://www.uwo.ca/police/resources/code_of_student_conduct.html)
Can I opt-out of the pass?
- There is no option to opt-out of the USC Bus Pass. It is a mandatory plan, authorized by a student referendum that requires all full-time undergraduate students to participate. However, even if you have a car, the bus pass can come in handy. The pass allows you to hop on the Mustang Express, which sure if cheaper than a cab when coming home from Rick McGhie night!
How do I claim the Bus Pass on my taxes?
- There are no special tax forms issued for the Bus Pass as it is charged along with your Tuition. Please use the online statement of account found at the Student Center (https://student.uwo.ca) as proof of amounts paid. As Bus Pass charges cross tax years, you can claim only one-half the cost on your current return. The remainder must be claimed in the next tax year.
A free late night Exam Shuttle Service is provided by your Students’ Council to offer students a safe way to get home this exam season. Shuttles are Checker SUVs, and will be indicated by an “Exam Shuttle” digital sign on their dashboards.
Shuttles will depart from Natural Science from 12:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. nightly, between December 7th and 19th, 2022.
Where your USC Bus Pass stops at night, the Mustang Express picks right back up so you can safely get home from the downtown area. All full-time and part time students are eligible to use the shuttle service provided they have their valid UWO Student ID on them. Check out the Mustang Express Pick-Up points so you never have to worry about hailing a cab downtown again.
Service dates begin on September 8, 2022 and runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 12:30 a.m. until 3 a.m.
More details…
Thinking of taking a class at an affiliate but dreading the walk up the Brescia hill or all the way to King’s? Don’t let the distance stop you! During class times, there is a shuttle bus that connects main campus with both University Affiliate Campuses that lie just outside of our Western bubble so you never have to miss out on a class again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Western ONECrad acts as your tap bus pass. For more information, visit: https://registrar.uwo.ca/services/western_onecard_and_photo_standards.html
Tap your enabled One card or present your paper pass and One card to be able to ride the LTC.
Every bus pass is valid from September 1st to August 31st (the entire school year and through the summer). That means that if you are living or working in London through the summer holidays, you can continue to use the bus pass from the previous school year!
Losing a bus pass can be frustrating, but the good news is that you shouldn’t have to pay for a new LTC membership. Simply email the bus pass administrator (usc.buspass@uwo.ca ) to ask if your bus pass has been returned to their office. If it has, you can reclaim your pass Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm (with the proper I.D.) You can also check in with Lost and Found at the Campus Police office.
If you have lost your student card and bus pass you can replace your One card at Student Central (there will be a replacement fee). Your new One card will be Bus Pass enabled, so you can continue to ride the LTC.
No- using anyone’s Bus Pass but your own is considered fraud and can result in the Bus Pass’ confiscation. The LTC or the University Students’ Council reserves the right to confiscate suspected illegitimate passes. Photocopied bus passes are also considered fraud and we are required to turn them over to the Campus Police for investigation and can result in the Bus Pass’ being confiscated, all the way up to censure and possible expulsion. If you wish to appeal the decision to confiscate your bus pass, you may e-mail njoyce2@uwo.ca with the heading “Attn: Bus Pass Administrator”.
*Please note there will be a $50.00 administration fee if your appeal is successful. In short, if you lose your pass and try to get away with using someone else’s pass, it is likely you will both end up with no pass. At least you’ll have a friend to walk with? (http://www.uwo.ca/police/resources/code_of_student_conduct.html)
There is no option to opt-out of the USC Bus Pass. It is a mandatory plan, authorized by a student referendum that requires all full-time undergraduate students to participate. However, even if you have a car, the bus pass can come in handy. The pass allows you to hop on the Mustang Express, which sure is cheaper than a cab when coming home from Rick McGhie night!
There are no special tax forms issued for the Bus Pass as it is charged along with your Tuition. Please use the online statement of account found at the Student Center (https://student.uwo.ca) as proof of amounts paid. As Bus Pass charges cross tax years, you can claim only one-half the cost on your current return. The remainder must be claimed in the next tax year.