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Who is eligible for U-Pass?
University of Minnesota students who meet the following criteria
are eligible
for a U-Pass:
- You are currently enrolled and taking at least one credit
- You have paid the mandatory $16 transportation fee
- If you are employed by the University and take classes at the
same time,
you are eligible for a U-Pass if you meet the following criteria:
~ You work 30 hours or less per week
OR
~ You work more than 30 hours a week and have one of the following
job titles:
Teaching Assistant
Undergrad Teaching Assistant I
Undergrad Teaching Assistant II
Prof School Project Assistant
MD Student Project Assistant
Advanced Masters Teaching Assistant
PhD Candidate Teaching Assistant
Research Assistant
Undergrad Research Asst I
Undergrad Research Asst II
Ugrad Rsrch Asst (Non-Univ Stu)
Ugrad Tchg Asst (Non-Univ Stu)
Advanced Master Research Asst
PhD Candidate Research Asst
Administrative Fellow
Advanced Masters Admin Fellow
PhD Candidate Admin Fellow
Professional Program Assistant
Legal Proj asst (w/Tuit Ben)
Legal Proj Asst (w/o Tuit Ben)
Pharmacy Associate
Pre-Doctoral Assistant
Post-Doctoral Associate
Extension Summer Assistant
Veterinary Medical Assistant
Veterinary Medical Associate
Pre-Doctoral Fellow
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dental Fellow
Medical Fellow - Grad Prog
Medical Fellow
Medical Resident
Psychology Fellow
Psychology Fellow Specialist
Medical Resident - Grad Prog
Natnl Rsrch Srvc Award Fellow
Graduate School Fellow
Graduate School Trainee
Dental Fellow Specialist
Professional School Fellow
Professional School Trainee
Summer Term TA (w/o Tuit Ben)
Summer Term RA (w/o Tuit Ben)
Summer Term AF (w/o Tuit Ben)
Summer Sess TA (w/ Tuit Ben)
Summer Sess TA (w/o Tuit Ben)
Graduate Internship/Off-Campus
Professional Intern Off-Cmp
If you are a University of Minnesota staff or faculty member taking
classes
who does not meet these criteria, then you are eligible for Metropass.
Click here to order your Metropass.
Can I sign up at any time?
Yes. The cost of U-Pass is $64 for the entire semester. It is the
same
cost whether you purchase it in December or April, so you save more
the
earlier in a semester you purchase it. You may purchase your pass
online
using your University Student Account.
Does U-Pass work on express routes?
Yes. U-Pass lets you ride express, local, limited stop, or Downtown
Zone routes without having to worry about added fares or transfers.
U-Pass takes care of everything. However, it may not be used on
some special event services.
Will U-Pass work on suburban bus services?
Yes. Metro Transit provides most of the regular route bus service
in the Twin Cities. U-Pass is also accepted on Minnesota Valley
Transit Authority, SouthWest Metro Transit, Maple Grove Transit,
Plymouth Metrolink, North Suburban Lines, BE-Line, Roseville Circulator,
Route 55, and other contract services.
Where can I get more information about buses?
Bus schedule information, plus an interactive Trip Planner and
How-To-Ride Guide, is available online at www.metrotransit.org.
Once you know a route number, bus schedule displays are available
at the St. Paul Student Center, West Bank Skyway, and Coffman Memorial
Union's Commuter Lounge. If you know your route and just need departure
times, use a touch-tone phone to call BusLine, the region's 24-hour
automated schedule information line at 612-341-4BUS. To speak with
a transit representative or to access 24-hour automated route and
schedule information, call the Transit Information Center at 612-373-3333
(TTY 612-341-0140).
How much bus service is there to the University?
More than 30 bus routes from all over the Twin Cities serve
the University
campus. Several routes come directly to campus from various Twin
Cities neighborhoods without going through downtown. Bus routes
also serve many Park and Ride lots including the Mall of America,
Southdale, Apache Plaza, and the lots on I-394. One route even links
the University with Rosedale and Maplewood malls. If you live in
a part of the Twin Cities that doesn't have direct bus service to
the U, getting to campus is still easy: just hop on a bus to downtown
Minneapolis and transfer to a Route 50, 16, 6, or 3 which come by
every few minutes during the day. SouthWest Metro Transit will also
continue to provide direct service to the University.
I've never ridden the bus before. What do I
need to know?
Use the How-To-Ride
Guide offered by Metro Transit. Then, just read the signs at
bus stops and you'll be on your way to navigating the bus system.
Does U-Pass work on the new light rail system?
Yes, U-Pass is valid on the Twin Cities light rail system. Fare
inspectors on light rail randomly ask to see proof of fare payment
on trains and stations. Simply show the inspector your U-Pass and
U Card. Note: there is a $180 fine for riding the train without
paying.
Where does the light rail train go?
Currently, the light rail system connects three of the Twin
Cities most popular destinations - downtown Minneapolis, Minneapolis/St.
Paul International Airport, and the Mall of America in Bloomington.
How do I get to the light rail station from
campus?
Students, staff, and faculty can get to the Downtown East/Metrodome
Station by taking a Route 3, 16, or 50 from Blegen Hall on the West
Bank campus. For the return route, Metro Transit buses going to
the University arrive at the Metrodome every 3 minutes during peak
travel times. Once on campus, the campus connector can be used to
get to the East Bank or St. Paul.
Do I use U-Pass on U of M campus buses?
No, campus buses are free for students so you won't need to
use U-Pass on them.
What does U-Pass look like?
U-Pass has the same size and shape as a regular SuperSaver pass
(it's similiar in size to a driver's license and fits in a wallet).
The pass is made out of a durable material, and your bus access
information is encoded in the card.
How do I take care of my U-Pass?
When you receive your pass, keep it in a safe place and do not
expose your card to magnets! Magnets could damage the coding in
the card that gives you access to the bus. Keep your pass
flat - do not fold it or put it in your back pocket.
What do I do if my pass doesn't work properly?
If your pass doesn't work properly, fill out the online
form and bring your defective card to Parking and Transportation
Services at 300 Transportation and Safety Building. We'll try to
determine what's wrong with your card and issue a new one.
Do I show my pass to the driver, or do I put
it in the farebox?
To use your chip-embedded U-Pass, touch your card to the reader.
On buses, the blue Go-To reader is located to the right of the farebox.
At rail stations, the reader is located next to the ticket vending
machine.
On the light rail, fare inspectors will randomly ask to see proof
of fare payment on trains and stations. There is a $180 fine for
riding the train without paying. Students with a U-Pass must show
their pass AND U Card to inspectors upon request.
Can my friends use my U-Pass?
No, only you can use your U-Pass. Lending out your U-Pass may
result in confiscation of the pass. Confiscated passes will not
be returned.
How do I order U-Pass?
Click http://buspass.umn.edu
and order online.
How do I pay for my U-Pass?
Students purchase U-Pass through their student account. For
more
information on your student account, please visit www.onestop.umn.edu
and click on the Quick Link to the right labeled "Student Account."
Can my friend/relative pick up my U-Pass?
No, no one else can pick up your U-Pass. You must come in person
or you
can select to have it mailed to you.
How long will it take to get my U-Pass?
The quickest way to get your pass is to pick it up at one of
the convenient distribution centers:
- St. Paul Student Union Information Desk, Lower Level, 2017 Buford
Avenue - Hours at www.spsc.umn.edu/info
Avoid the line - pick up your U-Pass before fall semester starts.
Students can pick up their U-Pass 24 hours after placing an order.
Mailed U-Passes will take a total of four to six business days to
arrive at their destinations.
Can I buy more than one U-Pass?
No, you only need one pass for unlimited rides all semester
long. If you lose your pass, you must contact our office. Replacement
passes cost $12 and are only available in the Parking and Transportation
Services main office on Washington Avenue SE.
What is Students Account Receivable?
The Students Account Receivable system is a monthly-billed account
set up for students. This is the same account to which tuition is
billed. Since Fall 2004, students have been required to pay for
U-Pass through this account.
What happens if my U-Pass is lost or stolen?
If your pass was lost or stolen, you will need to report it
to Parking and Transportation Services. You can fill out the online
form and pick up a replacement U-Pass within a few days. You
will be required to pay an additional $12 replacement fee. If you
have questions, call the U-Pass coordinator at 612-624-1523 or e-mail
buspass@umn.edu.
If your U-Pass is damaged or won't work anymore, complete the online
form and bring the pass to Parking and Transportation Services.
We will exchange the defective pass for a new one that will get
you back on the bus in no time.
How long is U-Pass good for?
U-Pass is good for one semester; it will work until the day before
a new semester begins.
Spring 2008 Semester, January 22 through May 17, 2008
Summer 2008 Session, May 18 through August 24, 2008
Fall 2008 Term, August 25, 2008 through January 19, 2009
How is this program funded?
In 2000, PTS received a two-year federal Congestion Mitigation
Air Quality grant to fund U-Pass. The original goal was to increase
transit use at the U by at least 40% over two years, thereby reducing
carbon monoxide emissions, vehicle miles traveled, and single-occupancy
vehicle trips. The goal has been met (and has been greatly surpassed!).
The program continues to grow each year. U-Pass currently is supported
through user fees and the mandatory student transportation fee.
What can I do if I have more questions?
If you want more information about U-Pass, you can:
Call 612-624-1523
E-mail buspass@umn.edu
Fax 612-624-8899
Visit 300 Transportation and Safety Building, 511 Washington
Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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