A U-Pass is a deeply discounted transit farecard that offers ALL Full-Time students unlimited rides aboard all CTA buses and trains during the Fall and Spring semesters. All students enrolled full-time for the Spring 2013 semester are charged the $100 U-Pass Fee on their tuition account. This means that during the semester you will not have to pay to use CTA public transportation - whether commuting to your job, entertainment venues, local attractions, galleries, shopping, night life, and sporting events. Your U-Pass is valid 24/7 throughout the semester. The CTA offers this generous benefit to Full-Time students only. Part-Time students are not eligible. THE U-Pass is not accepted on Pace buses. You may view the Pace website for information on a discounted Pace transit cards for Full-Time college students, the Campus Connection Card.
CTA U-Pass Terms and Conditions The CTA U-PASS is nontransferable and carries your photo and Id number. The CTA reserves the right to require a student to show a valid school identification card upon request. If this condition is violated, the U-PASS will be confiscated for the duration of the valid dates without reimbursement, and the person may be subject to arrest and prosecution.
The school name, student name, photo, and expiration date MUST appear on your U-Pass.
CTA reserves the right to require the student show a valid school identification card upon request.
U-Pass is limited to exclusive use by the full-time student whose name and photo appear on the card.
U-Pass may NOT be shared.
Any U-Pass presented by a person other than the student whose name and photo appears on it will be confiscated and the person may be subject to arrest.
Use of the U-Pass is subject to applicable tariffs, terms, conditions, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures adopted at CTA's discretion.
This card can be confiscated if the bearer violates any law or CTA ordinance while on CTA property.
If any of the conditions are violated, the pass will be confiscated for the duration of the valid dates without reimbursement and the person may be subject to arrest.
Where is the CTA?
Chicago Transit Authority 567 W. Lake Street, 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Who is eligible for a U-Pass?
The CTA U-Pass Program is available to Full-Time Undergraduate and Graduate students for the fall and spring semesters. Full-Time status is defined as 12 credit hours or more for Undergraduates and 9 credit hours or more for Graduate students. If you drop below Full-Time status during the add/drop period or withdraw from all of your classes, your card will be deactivated and the Code 57 will appear on the train or bus farebox.
Part-Time students are NOT eligible and are not charged the U-Pass Fee.
Why do I have to be Full-Time to be eligible for a U-Pass?
The CTA U-Pass Policy requires that students must be Full-Time to participate in the program. Students who do not meet the full-time enrollment requirement are not assessed the U-Pass Fee.
Am I eligible for a U-Pass if I am a Full-Time student but not taking all of my credit hours at Columbia College?
No. You must be registered as a Full-Time student at Columbia College, which does not include any course work outside this college. There are no inter-university U-Pass programs.
What if I pick up my U-Pass, but then drop a course and fall below Full-Time status?
If you drop below Full-Time status during the add/drop period, the CTA will deactivate your U-Pass. The U-Pass Fee will be credited on your tuition account when your tuition charges are reduced to the Part-Time rate. You will be notified via your Columbia College Loop email account if your U-Pass will be deactivated.
What if I cannot pick up my U-Pass on the distribution days?
Pre-printed U-Passes will be available for pick up at the CAMPUS CARD OFFICE during normal business hours beginning Monday, January 28, 2013. Those students who registered after the December 15, 2012 registration deadline must request a Late Issue U-Pass at the Campus Card Office. Late Issue U-Passes are printed by the CTA and shipped to Columbia on a weekly basis; therefore, they will not be available for same day pick up. Late Issue U-Passes may take up to 7 to 10 days to receive.
All students MUST present a valid Columbia College Chicago Campus Card in order to receive a U-Pass.
No exceptions are granted.
U-Pass distribution days/times are announced before the start of Fall and Spring semesters. Look for signs on campus and e-mail notices outlining date, times and location or visit the Campus Card web page. U-Passes cannot be obtained through the CTA, only through Columbia's Campus Card Office.
When is U-Pass Distribution scheduled?
Spring 2013 U-Pass distribution will be:
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 9AM-6PM at 33 East Congress Pkwy
Thursday, January 24, 2013 from 9AM-6PM at 33 East Congress Pkwy
Friday, January 25, 2013 from 9AM-6PM at 33 East Congress Pkwy
You must present a valid Campus Card to obtain your U-Pass.
If you do not pick up your U-Pass during the three distribution dates, the pre-printed U-Passes will be available at the Campus Card Office Monday - Friday from 9:00-5:00. The Campus Card Office is located at 600 S. Michigan Ave., on the 3rd floor.
When are U-Passes valid?
The U-Pass is valid for CTA travel five days before the first day of classes and is deactivated five days after last day of classes each semester. The Fall U-Pass is valid from Wednesday,January 23rd through Thursday, May 23, 2013.
Are U-Passes offered during the Summer semester?
No, U-Passes are NOT offered during the Summer semester. Based on polling data by the Student Government Association, the summer semester does not meet the residential, demographic, and enrollment requirements to make a Summer U-Pass Program a success for all students involved.
What if I pick up my U-Pass, but then drop a course and fall below Full-Time status?
If you fall below full-time status during the add/drop period (the first two weeks of each semester), the CTA will deactivate your U-Pass. The U-Pass Fee will be credited to your account during the add/drop period. Students who withdraw from all of their classes after the add/drop period will also have their U-Pass deactivated. The U-Pass Fee is not credited for total withdrawals.
Where and how often can I use my U-Pass per day?
You may travel anywhere the CTA's buses and trains go, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as often as you want during the semester. However, you cannot reuse your card at the same station or bus line for 10-15 minutes.
How do I use my U-Pass?
The U-Pass works like a CTA fare card. It is inserted into the fare machines at CTA train stations and on CTA buses.
NOTE: On CTA buses. If you insert your U-Pass into the money slot instead of the fare machine, your U-Pass will be captured.
Is the U-Pass valid on PACE buses?
No, The U-Pass is NOT valid on Pace buses. You may view the Pace website for information on discounted Pace transit cards for Full-Time college students.
Can I sell it or let a friend use it if I am not planning to?
No, the CTA U-Pass is non-transferable as it carries your photo and ID number. The CTA reserves the right to require a student to show a valid school identification card upon request. If this condition is violated, the U-Pass will be confiscated for the duration of the valid dates without reimbursement and the person may be subject to arrest and prosecution.
Is participation optional?
All Chicago college students who are Full-Time are required to participate in the program. Full-Time is defined as 12 credit hours for Undergraduates and 9 credit hours for Graduates.
I drive – does the U-Pass have any benefits for me?
The U-Pass gives you an opportunity to get out of your car and explore the city and culture beyond campus. Save money on ever-increasing gas prices and parking by using your U-Pass in the city.
How will I be charged?
Each eligible student will be charged the $100 U-Pass Fee on their tuition bill. You will be charged even if you do not pick up your U-Pass. Failure to pick up the U-Pass does not eliminate the charge.
How does the CTA determine the U-Pass fee?
The fee is determined based on the rate of payment to the CTA plus administrative costs to run the program. The payment rate for the 2012-2013 academic year is $0.81 per day.
I am disabled and cannot use the CTA, can I get a waiver?
Contact the Services for Student’s with Disabilities Office at (312) 369-8296; they will evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis. The disability must be documented and the CTA must be unable to accommodate the disability for a waiver to be granted.
Where can I call for directions?
Get travel information and directions by calling the RTA Travel Center at 836-7000 from any area code. They are available from 5am – 1am daily. This number is also listed on the back of your U-Pass for easy reference.
Where do I pick up my replacement U-Pass?
A replacement U-Pass is shipped to the Campus Card Office, 600 S. Michigan Ave., 3rd floor and are available for pickup every Friday at 2:00pm.
What if my U-Pass is lost or stolen?
All lost, stolen or captured U-Passes are reported at the CTA office, located at 567 West Lake Street. Bring your student ID and a $50.00 replacement fee (cash, credit, or money order) to request a new U-Pass. After requesting a new U-Pass at the CTA, you may pick it up on Friday at the Campus Card Office, 600 S. Michigan Ave., 3rd floor. You MUST show a valid Columbia College Chicago Campus Card to pick-up your U-Pass, otherwise service will be denied.
What if my U-Pass is damaged or defective (Code 13)?
Bring your damaged U-Pass and valid student ID to the CTA offices to request a FREE replacement. You will receive a 7-day pass providing unlimited rides. In the event that you are using a defective or damaged U-Pass, CTA bus operators and customer assistants will attempt to confiscate your card. Damaged U-Passes often get caught in the fareboxes and turnstiles and cannot be immediately retrieved. You must get your U-Pass replaced immediately to avoid the timely process of U-Pass retrieval and you may have to pay per ride until your U-Pass is found. Do not let an attendant take your card without documentation.
On the Bus: If the fare equipment will not read your U-Pass, the Bus Operator will let you complete your ride for free. However, you must bring your defective/damaged U-Pass, along with your valid student ID to CTA headquarters. CTA will issue a temporary Transit Card and a replacement U-Pass will be issued within 5-7 business days.
At the Rail Station: Present your U-Pass to the Customer Assistant to have it inspected. To receive a free replacement pass, bring your defective/damaged U-Pass, along with your valid student ID to CTA headquarters. CTA will issue a temporary Transit Card and a replacement U-Pass will be issued within 5-7 business days.
What if my U-Pass is captured in fare equipment?
On the Bus: You will be asked to complete a Report of Captured Farecard.
Bring your copy of the Report of Captured Farecard, a completed replacement form, and your student ID to CTA's Customer Service Center at 567 W. Lake Street 2nd FL, to request a replacement U-Pass. The replacement U-Pass will be sent to the Campus Card Office, 600 S. Michigan Ave., 3rd Floor.
If U-Pass is put into the cash bill slot on a bus, it is treated as lost/stolen and you'll need to pay $50.00 for a replacement. You will not be issued any temporary fare.
At the Rail Station:
See the CTA Customer Assistant and you will be asked to complete a Fare Discrepancy Report.
Bring the Fare Discrepancy Report, a completed replacement form and your student ID to CTA's Customer Service Center at 567 W. Lake Street 2nd FL, to request a replacement U-Pass. The replacement U-Pass will be sent to the Campus Card Office, 600 S. Michigan Ave., 3rd Floor.
If a Customer Assistant is not at the train station, please get the turnstile # that your U-Pass was captured in and call the U-Pass Department at 1-312-681-4123 to report the captured card.
What does Code 57 or Hotlisted mean?
If you drop from Full-Time to Part-Time status, your card will be deactivated. Part-Time students do not qualify for the program and your card will not be replaced. Your U-Pass is deactivated if Code 57 appears on the turnstile or card slot.
How many replacement U-Passes am I allowed?
Only ONE replacement card will be issued per year, unless the card is damaged or defective (as opposed to lost or stolen).
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