University of Washington
Administrative Policy Statements		 Rev/Oct 7, 2004 53.4

Table of Contents

1. Program Overview

2. Appropriate Use and Code Violations

3. Eligibility

4. Procedures for a U–PASS

5. Additional Information
     

The U-PASS Program

(Approved by the Executive Vice President by authority of Executive Order No. 5)


1.   Program Overview

A Transportation Management Plan (TMP) at the University of Washington was first developed in 1983 with the intent to expand commuting options for University students, staff, and faculty, shifting them away from single occupancy vehicle trips. The TMP is part of the University of Washington's Campus Master Plan.

In 1991, the Washington State Legislature adopted the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) law. The CTR law was incorporated into the Washington Clean Air Act as RCW 70.94.521 through 70.94.551. Employers with 100 or more full-time employees, scheduled to work between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. in the counties of Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima, are required to develop and implement programs designed to reduce the number of trips and miles people commute alone to work.

The U-PASS is the primary component of the University's TMP, as described in the Campus Master Plan approved by the Seattle City Council in December 2002, and adopted by the UW Board of Regents in January 2003.

The U-PASS transportation program makes numerous commute options available at a deeply discounted price. With a U-PASS validation sticker, students, faculty, and staff gain access to unlimited rides on all Metro, Community Transit, and Sound Transit routes, unlimited rides on the Sounder Commuter train, discounted carpool parking, subsidized vanpool fares, and discounted trips on the Night Ride (a night shuttle service to neighborhoods near the University). In addition, U-PASS funds are used to improve bicycle facilities on campus. Faculty and staff U-PASS holders may purchase individual commuter tickets, providing them a way to park on days they need to drive, at a discount, and participate in the reimbursed ride home program, an emergency taxi service. A number of local merchants also offer discounts to U-PASS participants. Services offered through the Harborview Medical Center U-PASS, UW Bothell campus, and UW Tacoma campus may differ from those above.

Harborview Medical Center, UW Bothell, and UW Tacoma have fiscally-separate transportation programs with similar, but not identical, benefits.

2.   Appropriate Use and Code Violations

Husky Cards™ (the UW identification card), validation stickers, and
U-PASS validation stickers are the property of the University of Washington and may not be loaned, sold, or otherwise transferred in any manner to another person. Misuse of the U-PASS will result in confiscation by the University, Metro, Community Transit, or Sound Transit and may subject the parties to possible action under the General Conduct Code (Chapter 478–124 WAC) or the Student Conduct Code (Chapter 478–120 WAC). The U-PASS program and policies are subject to change without notice.

3.   Eligibility

The following people are eligible for a U-PASS:

  • Students registered in state-funded courses (except University faculty and staff attending on tuition exemption); students taking degree-credit courses on the Seattle campus through UW Extension, including English as a Second Language (ESL); students enrolled in the MEDEX Program; or students registering through the ACCESS Program (students at UW Tacoma are not eligible);

  • Faculty and staff employed in permanent positions and working at least 50%-time (except those employed at UW Tacoma);

  • Temporary and hourly employees working at least three days a week throughout the quarter in which they wish to purchase a U-PASS (except those employed at UW Tacoma);

  • Affiliates certified by a University Human Resources office employed on campus at least three days per week throughout the quarter;

  • Visiting Scholars who are here throughout the quarter; and

  • Retirees employed on campus 40%-time or at least three days a week throughout the quarter on either an hourly or uncompensated basis.

The following people are not eligible for a U-PASS:

  • Non-Matriculated Distance Learning students;

  • UW Extension students taking non-credit classes (except ESL), and UW Extension students taking credit courses not on the Seattle campus;

  • UW Tacoma employees and students;

  • Visiting students who are not enrolled at UW;

  • Volunteers; and

  • Affiliates not employed on the Seattle campus.

4.   Procedures for a U-PASS

a.   U-PASS Distribution

Specific procedures as well as additional services and benefits concerning the U-PASS are located on the U-PASS Web site. Procedures include:

5.   Additional Information

For further information, contact Transportation Services (U-PASS):

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