Universal Transit Pass

All students are automatically enrolled when they pay the Transportation and Safety Fee. The U Card is the pass for this program. Those who pay the spring fee continue to have access to the transit system through the summer.

Students who pay the Transportation and Safety Fee.

Watch your email to learn when you can start activating your pass. Once you receive the message, activate your pass as soon as possible.

For students, when first tapping your U Card, the messages to expect are:

• On rail - it will flash "GO" and beep loudly
• Coffman/St. Paul Student Center Activation Station - it will flash "GO" and beep loudly

If you don't see the "GO" message, tap your U Card twice at least one hour apart at any Metro Transit light rail station or at the Coffman/St. Paul Student Center Activation Stations.

• When you first tap, you will receive a message that says "Invalid."
• On the second tap, you will receive a "GO" message and hear a loud beep.

If you have issues with activation, email buspass@umn.edu for assistance.

Review your student account to determine what tuition and fees have been charged to you. You can view/print your Student Account in the My Finances Tab of MyU. One Stop has a guide to help assist you with this process.

The following groups are eligible to opt into the UTP:

• 95XX Graduate/Professional Workers
• Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO)
• Advanced/Thesis Grad Students (GRAD 999 Ineligible)
• International Student Interns/Scholars (U Card Required)
• MN English Language Program
• MAST International
• Academic Plan Exclusions (ex: Tuition by fees, full scholarships, programs not assessed the fee)

Excluded groups include: Regents Scholarship, Senior Citizen Education Program, Online/Distance Learning and Non-Degree seeking students.

Thank you for your interest in the pass.  The opt-in period for Spring Semester 2023 has closed.

This is a mandatory, non-refundable fee associated with tuition costs for attending the University.  The only students who are pre-approved to not pay the fee are: post-secondary option high school students, Regents Scholarship recipients, and students registered in off-campus, non-metro courses, or Online and Distance Learning courses only. If you believe that you fit these categories and have paid the fee, please contact OneStop.

Ineligible groups include, but are not limited to: full-time faculty and staff, Regents Scholarship recipients, participants in the Senior Citizen Education Program (SCEP), and students in off-site or remote-only programs. Program eligibility is determined by a person’s status within academic programs, tuition groups, and PeopleSoft categories that are set by the college or department. View the full list of exceptions.

UTP costs $45 per semester/$90 per year, including summer. This is up to a 74% savings off of the previous U-Pass program (when including cost of fall, spring, and summer U-Pass).

In 2021-2022, the Transportation and Safety Fee was $26 and covered campus transit only. Under UTP, the Transportation and Safety Fee would increase to $71 per semester to cover both campus buses and unlimited rides on regional transit. The Transportation and Safety Fee is considered part of the total cost of attendance and can be covered by financial aid assistance. This cost assumes that all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students automatically enroll in the program. 

While there is no plan to include faculty and staff in the Universal Transit Pass program at this time, eligible faculty and staff can purchase the Metropass, a monthly unlimited ride pass. Learn about Metropass.

The Universal Transit Pass should not interfere with the Go-To functionality that is available on the U Card. You should be able to continue to use the Go-To functionality even after the pass is loaded onto your U Card.

Look at the issue date on the lower left corner of the back of your card. If the date is July 1, 2016 or later, the card is compatible with new card readers. U Cards over five years old are eligible for a replacement card from the U Card Office at no cost.

Be sure not to put your card near magnets or wireless chargers, such as cell phone chargers. Please refer to the U Card page with tips on basic card care. 

Northstar fares are determined by the day of the week and distance traveled; there are no rush-hour fares on Northstar trains.

A Metropass, Universal Transit Pass, College Pass, or Student Pass is valid for $3.25 toward your Northstar fare. Any remaining fare can be paid using stored value from your pass. Add value to your pass here.

The current U-Pass and Campus Zone Pass programs are retired.  Campus Connectors and Campus Circulators continue to operate.

A Universal Transit Pass program provides low-cost transportation for all Twin Cities students and helps to meet the following goals:   

• Equity  
  • Reduces pass cost by up to 74% versus the current U-Pass. 
  • Connects home/campus for most students whether urban or suburban. 
    Connects to the airport.
• Access to Food
  • Expands access to healthy, affordable food options. 
• Sustainability
  • Reduces the need for single-occupancy vehicles (SOVS) -  a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Safety
  • Provides frequent rides in all weather and at all hours of the day.
  • Reduces single occupancy vehicles (SOVs) on campus making walking and biking safer.

Consultation occurred with Recognized Student Governance Associations (RSGAs) – Undergraduate Student Government (USG), Council of Graduate Students (COGS), and Professional Student Government (PSG).  The RSGAs consulted with their respective bodies (committees, task forces, etc.) before providing their recommendation to the Administration.  A survey of all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who pay the Transportation and Safety Fee was also conducted.

This proposal was approved with the Board of Regents July 2022 meeting.

The goal was to evaluate program parameters and establish student support in spring semester 2022 and start in fall semester 2022.