Universal Student U-PASS

On May 12, 2011, the University of Washington Board of Regents voted to approve the collection of a universal student fee, implemented by students upon themselves, that they would used to help fund the U-PASS program and provide all Seattle students with access to the suite of U-PASS benefits, including:

• unlimited rides on King County Metro, Sound Transit (including express buses, Link light rail, and Sounder commuter train), Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, and Everett Transit;

• discounted carpool parking on campus;

• free rides on the NightRide shuttle;

• discounted membership rates with Zipcar (now available to students 18-21);

• vanpool fare subsidies;

• and merchant discounts.

The Board of Regents’ vote was the culmination of a two-year effort led by the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) and the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) to secure a future for the popular U-PASS program which was threatened by unprecedented increases in transit costs. Beginning fall quarter 2011, the Universal U-PASS fee will be $76 per quarter and will remain at that rate through the 2012-2013 academic year. Without the stabilizing effect of Universal U-PASS, the U-PASS fee was estimated to have to increase to $135 per quarter in Fall 2011 and to $150 per quarter by Fall 2012.

Find out more about U-PASS.

Find out more about the Universal Student U-PASS initiative
In the ASUW News
In The Daily

Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Implementation of a Universal Student U-PASS