Parking & Transportation FAQs: Student U-Pass

STUDENT U-PASS INFORMATION

Who is eligible for a student U-Pass

Q: Who is eligible to receive a student U-Pass?
An individual must be an ASU student enrolled in one or more University-level credit hour courses for which he/she expects to receive a grade. Additionally, the student must be classified as “student” in ASU’s human resources management system, PeopleSoft. The Parking and Transit Services database interfaces with PeopleSoft to send PTS the type of classification for which an individual has been designated.

Q: Can I still get a pass if I am an online student?
As long as a student meets the criteria outlined above in Question #1, a person is eligible to purchase a U-Pass. An individual must be an ASU student enrolled in one or more University-level credit hour courses for which he/she expects to receive a grade. Additionally, the student must be classified as “student” in ASU’s human resources management system, PeopleSoft.

Q: Am I eligible to purchase a U-Pass if I am a graduate assistant?
As long as a student meets the criteria outlined above in Question #1, a person is eligible to purchase a U-Pass. An individual must be an ASU student enrolled in one or more University-level credit hour courses for which he/she expects to receive a grade. Additionally, the student must be classified as “student” in ASU’s human resources management system, PeopleSoft.

Where, when and how to purchase a U-Pass

Q: When and where can I purchase a U-Pass?
Student U-Passes will be available for Summer Session II students to purchase beginning June 29 at all ASU campus permit sales offices. Students who are not enrolled in classes until the fall semester may purchase their U-Pass beginning Aug. 10.

Q: What do I need to bring with me to the Permit Sales office in order to purchase a U-Pass?
You need to bring your Sun Card, printout of your class schedule and an acceptable form of payment (cash, personal check, Visa, MasterCard).

Q: Can I pay for the U-Pass with my financial aid or scholarship?
No. Similar to paying for a parking permit, PTS accepts only cash, personal check, Visa or MasterCard.

Q: Can I buy the U-Pass online and then have PTS mail it to me?
For the 2009-2010 academic year, U-Passes must be purchased in person. PTS has recently converted to a new parking database and will explore the option of making U-Passes available for online purchase in the coming years.

Q: Can a friend or family member purchase the U-Pass for me?
No. U-Passes must be purchased in person by the student.

Why students now have to pay for the U-Pass

Q: Why do we now have to pay for Student U-Passes?
After Valley Metro announced its 40 percent fare increase effective July 1, 2009, PTS and university officials worked diligently to identify ways in which PTS could continue to provide a deeply discounted transit pass for students despite the rising costs. After a thorough evaluation of all the options, it was determined that a fee for the U-Pass would need to be implemented in order to continue offering the U-Pass program to students. The U-Pass program still provides an exceptional discount for riding the light rail and Valley Metro buses. In purchasing a U-Pass for both semesters ($80), the cost to a student averages out to 25 cents per day, regardless of how often he or she boards the light rail or Valley Metro buses in a single day.

Q: I have classes on both the Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses, so why should I have to pay to go to class?
Thanks to enhanced West-Tempe intercampus shuttle service, students CAN reach the Downtown Phoenix campus for free! Beginning fall 2009, every West-Tempe intercampus shuttle will make a stop at the Downtown Phoenix campus. PTS added the Downtown Phoenix Campus stop to some of the buses on the West-Tempe intercampus shuttle route in 2008-09, but will now extend this service to include every bus in order to better accommodate students.

Q: Didn’t I already pay for a U-Pass with my tuition dollars?
No. As a self-funded auxiliary department of ASU, Parking and Transit Services does not receive any tuition money, student fees or state money to fund its operational costs. PTS has subsidized 100 percent of the cost to students for U-Passes for the past four years. Now that is has become necessary to charge students for the U-Pass, students may choose if they would like to purchase the transit pass.

U-Pass validation dates

Q: For how long are 2009-2010 Student U-Passes valid?
2009-2010 Student U-Passes are valid from July 1, 2009 – May 15, 2010.

Q: The dates on the U-Pass read that the card is valid from July 1, 2009 – May 15, 2010. Can PTS deactivate my card before May 15, 2010?
Yes. The dates printed on the U-Pass indicate the life of the card if it is purchased for $80 and the student maintains his/her student status throughout the fall and spring semesters. However, if a student purchases the U-Pass for $40 in the fall semester and does not renew for the spring semester, the card will be deactivated at the conclusion of the fall semester. If at any point during either the fall or spring semester a student withdraws from classes, PTS reserves the right to deactivate the U-Pass at that time.

Q: Why is it not valid for the entire year?
The purpose of the ASU transit program, which includes the U-Pass as well as intercampus and on-campus shuttles, is to support the transportation needs of students when school is in session.

Summer Session U-Passes

Q: What if I am a Summer Session II student and will not be taking classes in the fall 2009 semester? Can I purchase a U-Pass and then receive a refund at the conclusion of the summer session?
No. Refunds are not available, and the card would be deactivated once a student is no longer enrolled in classes. The cost for a Summer Session II student would still be $40. By contrast, the cost for a 31-day local pass (valid on METRO light rail and local Valley Metro bus routes) from Valley Metro is $55.

Q: Summer Session I students got their U-Passes for free. As a Summer Session II student, can I get the pass for free?
No. The cards issued to Summer Session I students were 2008-09 U-Passes. For 2008-09, U-Passes were issued for free to students. Historically, U-Passes were valid on a fiscal year basis (valid July 1 through June 30 of the following year). Moving forward, however, U-Passes will be sold for academic years/sessions. For example, beginning summer 2010, PTS will sell U-Passes for $25 that will be valid for both summer sessions. In order to provide a smooth transition for its customers as PTS moves from a free-to-fee structure with the U-Pass program this upcoming school year, PTS decided to waive the $25 fee for 2009 Summer Session II students and simply charge the $40 for a U-Pass that is valid for the second summer session and fall semester.

Q: What will happen after May 15, 2010? Will summer U-Passes be available for purchase next year?
Yes. Beginning in summer 2010, PTS will sell U-Passes for $25, valid for both summer sessions.

Payment options, deactivation and refund policies

Q: Can I pay $40 each semester instead of $80 all at once?
Yes. You may pay $40 in the fall semester and then renew your U-Pass for an additional $40 for the spring semester. Additional information regarding how to renew your U-Pass will be available in the coming months.

Q: Can I pay $80 all at once?
Yes. If you would prefer to pay $80 up front, you may purchase the permit and it will be valid as of the date of purchase through May 15, 2010, as long as you remain enrolled in classes for both the fall and spring semesters.

Q: If I buy it at any time during the semester, is it still full price or will it be sold at a prorated cost?
The cost is $40 per semester, regardless of when the pass is purchased. U-Passes will not be sold at prorated rates throughout the semester.

Q: What happens if I lose my pass or it gets stolen?
The first replacement U-Pass is $25. A second replacement costs $40. If your U-Pass is lost or stolen, please visit your campus permit sales office to complete a lost/stolen form.

Q: What if I withdraw from classes? Do I get a refund?
If a student purchases a U-Pass and then withdraws from classes at any point during the semester, his/her U-Pass will be deactivated. No Refunds.

Q: Can I return my pass for a refund at any time during the semester?
No refunds at any time are given for Student U-Passes.

Miscellaneous 

Q: Is the U-Pass good for rides on the METRO and Valley Metro buses?
Yes. U-Passes are valid for an unlimited number of rides on the METRO light rail and all Valley Metro buses throughout the semester.

Q: Are prices for the Employee U-Pass increasing for 2009-2010?
Yes. Employee U-Passes cost $390 annually for a local pass and $520 annually for an express pass. (Up from $260 and $390 annually, respectively.)

Q: What if I still have questions?
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call the PTS Commuter Options office at 480.965.1072. We will be happy to assist.