TRANSPORTATION GUIDE

In this section, you will learn:

• How to use BC Transit (UMO card, apps, and bus tips)

• Easy ways to get to school and around town

• Real transportation tips to avoid getting lost in your first weeks

How to move around in Nanaimo & Victoria (without getting lost) 🚌

You don’t need a car to survive here. Most international students use public transit, walking, school buses, or host family rides and it works perfectly fine. BC Transit – Your Main Transportation System

BC Transit is the official public bus system in Nanaimo & Victoria.

To check bus routes and times, you can use:

Must-have apps:

• BC Transit App – See live bus times & routes

• Google Maps – Perfect for checking bus + walking routes

• Transit App – Another great option for real-time tracking

You simply type where you want to go, and the app shows you:

• Which bus to take

• When it arrives

• How long it takes

If it’s walkable, Google Maps will also show you the walking route.

How do you pay for the bus?

UMO System (Most common)

BC uses a payment system called UMO.

You have two options:

• Download the UMO app on your phone

•  Get a physical UMO card from your school

Many schools in Nanaimo & Victoria provide UMO cards to students for free when you arrive. You can then load your monthly pass onto that card or through the app.

If you’re worried about losing the card, you can just use the UMO app on your phone instead.

Student Discount

There is a discounted price for students.

Approximate prices:

• Student monthly pass: around 45 CAD

• Adult pass: around 85 CAD

(Prices may slightly change, but students definitely pay less.)

Your school or international office will usually guide you through this setup.

Other ways students get to school

Transportation doesn’t have to only be public buses:

• Walking → if your home is close

• Host family ride → very common

• Public buses → main option

• Yellow school buses → available in some areas

If your home is far from school and buses don’t work well, you can apply for a school bus through your school office. These are the iconic yellow buses you see in Canada & the US.

They pick you up in the morning and drop you back after school.

Things to keep in mind

• Buses can be late sometimes

• Winter weather may slow service

• Evening routes are limited

• Weekends have different schedules

Always check your bus before leaving the house.

Real talk: 🗣️

At first, transportation feels confusing. After a week or two? You’ll know your routes better than GPS 

Pro tip: 💡

Screenshot your main routes and stops in case your internet decides to disappear at the worst time.