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ProPASS Victoria

Last updated on October 4, 2024

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Cost

ProPASS is a monthly cost spread evenly over 24 pay periods for the year, bi-weekly.

  • On a month with three pay days, the deductions will only occur on the first two pay days of the month
  • If an employee exits early, they may have the full month cost deducted on one pay cheque
  • ProPASS will be active and available for use until the last day of the calendar month of exit

ProPASS cost details are found at BC Transit Victoria.

How to enrol

BC Public Service employees

  1. Complete the ProPASS Victoria Enrolment form (PDF, 83KB)
  2. Submit the completed form through an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request.  The service request subject line must contain either the word “ProPASS” or “Bus Pass” or “Umo”
  3. Payroll will respond to the service request with your Umo Benefit Code which is required to activate either the mobile app or Umo physical card.  Payroll deductions begin as soon as payroll sends your Benefit Code even if you haven't activated it yet
    • Note: you can start using Umo as soon as you have activated the app or card
    • Enrolment deductions begin the pay period closest to the start of calendar month, based on when the enrolment form is processed

BC Public Service auxiliary employees

  1. Complete the ProPASS Auxiliary Employee Employment Confirmation (DOC, 269KB). It must be signed by your hiring manager or supervisor

  2. Complete the ProPASS Victoria Enrolment form (PDF, 83KB)

  3. Submit both the completed ProPASS Auxiliary Employee Employment Confirmation and the completed ProPASS Victoria Enrolment form through an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request. The service request subject line must contain either the word “ProPASS” or “Bus Pass” or “Umo”

  4. Payroll will respond to the service request with your Umo Benefit Code which is required to activate Umo; refer to “How to activate and use Umo.” 

Quick facts

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The difference between ProPASS and Umo

ProPASS is the employer program that allows for discounted bus passes to be purchased by BC Public Service employees through payroll deductions. Umo is BC Transit’s new contactless electronic fare system to access ProPASS.

 

Recommended choice: Umo app or card

BC Transit recommends riders with access to mobile devices use the Umo app because it provides additional travel tools including real-time information, maps and alerts.

 

Can the Umo app and card be used at the same time interchangeably?

No. Security features in the Umo system prohibit two fare methods to be linked to an account at one time. Umo fare methods cannot be used interchangeably. You must choose one.

To swap from an Umo card to the Umo app: If you have an active Umo card, download the Umo Mobility app and follow the app’s instructions to transfer your card to the app. Once the transfer is complete, the card is void and you cannot use it again.

To swap from the Umo app to an Umo card: To transfer your app to an Umo card, please pick up an Umo card as detailed below: “How to activate and use Umo.”  Once you have the card, call Umo Customer Service at 877-380-8181.

 

Creating an Umo account to use the app

You need to create an account with a unique username like an email address or phone number to use the app. BC Transit recommends using an email address as your username.

 

How to activate and use Umo

Choose one of the following payment methods:

Option 1: Umo app

  1. Download the Umo Mobility app for free from the Apple app or Google Play store by searching “Umo Mobility”

  2. Follow the app’s instructions to create an account

  3. In the app, on the 'Directions' tab select 'Redeem Benefit' from the top menu

  4. Tap 'Change Agency' to select your transit system (Victoria Regional Transit System)

  5. Enter the unique benefit code provided to you to redeem your ProPASS

Option 2: Umo card

  1. Pick up a free Umo card from a BC Transit vendor

  2. Once you have the card, visit the Umo Passenger Portal

  3. Follow the portal’s instructions to register your Umo card and create an account

  4. In the account, open the left menu and click Change Agency to select your transit system (Victoria Regional Transit System)

  5. Select My Wallet, Redeem Benefit Code and enter the unique benefit code provided to you to redeem your ProPASS

Using Umo

  • Umo app: select Validation Code to display your account’s dynamic QR code. Aboard the bus, present your QR code to the centre of the Umo validator

  • Umo card: tap your card at the base of the validator

You’ll know your ProPASS was accepted when you see the Umo validator’s green checkmark.

 

Fare validation without data usage

The mobile app does not need to use data to validate your fare.

 

Guidelines

Umo is active as soon as the employee completes the activation process. ProPASS payroll deductions start the pay period the enrolment form is processed. Employees are notified when deductions begin.

ProPASS enrolment is a minimum of one year from the start date.  

The only exceptions for early cancellation are:

  • Employee relocation or termination
  • Circumstances authorized by the payroll department such as maternity or parental leave, Long-term Disability (LTD) or Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) Time Loss Claims

Working employees over the age of 65 are encouraged to exit the ProPASS program and purchase a 30 Day Concession. It costs less than an adult ProPASS.

Terminate a pass

ProPASS is continuous (no expiry date) and payroll deductions only end when you submit the ProPASS Victoria Exit form (PDF, 71KB) through an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request.

  1. Complete the ProPASS Victoria Exit form (PDF, 71KB)​

  2. Submit the completed form through an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request.  The service request subject line must contain either the word “ProPASS” or “Bus Pass” or “Umo”

You will be notified when payroll deductions will end. 

Lost or stolen pass

Contact BC Transit Lost and Found at 250-995-5637.

Contact information

Umo Customer Service Phone
877-380-8181
Bus Pass Administrator Address
3980 Quadra Street,
Victoria, BC V8X 1J9