Streamline Your Commute with U-PASS and U-PASS+
The U-PASS program has long been a beneficial resource for UIC students. Available to those enrolled in six or more credit hours during an active semester, it offers unlimited train rides on all CTA trains and buses, as noted by Matthew Miller, the Director of Student Affairs Technology & ID Center. With the recent introduction of U-PASS+, students now can benefit even more. Read on to see what this program is about.
Understanding U-PASS and U-PASS+
The U-PASS program offers deep discounts on buses and trains transportation with the Ventra card. For most students, the cost is $163 per semester, offering a convenient and affordable way to travel around Chicago and commue to and from UIC with unlimited CTA rides. Matthew mentioned that students can take advantage of the program at the start of each semester and “try'“ it before the OPT-OUT deadline to determine if the benefit is worth the cost.
U-PASS+ is a pilot initiative between Metra, CTA and UIC. U-PASS+ expands the benefits of the U-PASS by including usage of the Metra Rail service. For $366 a semester, students can enjoy unlimited rides on CTA and Metra rides, excluding the South Shore Line.
Mohammed Haq, a UIC alumnus and former Student Trustee, pursued a collaboration with Metra after recognizing the challenges faced by commuter students. The launch of U-PASS+ highlights his belief in the impact of student advocacy, and encourages students to take full advantage of U-PASS to “broaden their horizons”.
Student Experiences
Students use the U-PASS program to commute to and from UIC, explore the city, run errands, and hang out with friends. Ya-Asia Chandler, Biochemistry student, recalls using it on her birthday last year to take multiple buses and trains around Chicago to pick up her birthday drink freebies from multiple places.
Students like Melanie Montoya, an Urban Education major, and Shail Patel and Aashik Matthew, Computer Science majors, rely on its benefits for different reasons. As an international student, Shail appreciates the U-PASS for its predictable cost structure, which helps him manage his living expenses. With U-PASS, he no longer stresses about the cost of each bus or train ride, providing him with financial stability as he focuses on his studies and part-time job. Melanie and Aashik agreed on the U-PASS providing a cost-effective way to navigate the city without having to worry about transportation expenses. For Aashik, the U-PASS is more than just a practical tool—it's a "gateway to experiencing Chicago," allowing him to discover the city’s unique neighborhoods and attractions.
For Marketing student Gizelle Bautista and Graphic Design student Stephanie Williams, U-PASS+ plays an essential role in supporting their long-distance commutes to school. Gizelle, living in the farthest zone on her Metra line, relies on the convenience of U-PASS+ to navigate her multimodal commute without the stress of managing multiple fares or routes. Similarly, Stephanie finds the flexibility of U-PASS+ beneficial, sharing how unlimited rides impacted her budget “tremendously”. She also suggested using apps like Transit to track the arrival times to better plan trips.
U-PASS and U-PASS+ are valuable tools for commuting to and from school while engaging fully with city life on a student budget.
How to Get Started
To take advantage of the U-PASS or U-PASS+ program, students must set their OPT-status to OPT-IN before the deadline. Matthew advises new or incoming students, who have not participated in the program, to have an i-card photo on file, as it is essential for printing and shipping the initial Ventra card to UIC prior to the start of semester. Once ready, students can pick up their card at the ID Center in SCE. OPT-IN for Spring semester. For more details, visit U-PASS.
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With U-PASS and the new U-PASS+ program, UIC students can enjoy affordable, unlimited access to both CTA and Metra services, enhancing their ability to navigate the city, manage their budgets, and experience all that Chicago has to offer. Be sure to maximize this resource to make commuting easier!