ARTICard and U-Pass: U-Pass

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) U-Pass allows full-time students of SAIC unlimited use of CTA bus, rail, and paratransit transportation for the fall and spring semesters. When compared with regular CTA fares for a semester, the U-Pass can provide more than $200 in savings.

U-Passes are valid three days prior to the start of the semester and last until three days after the semester ends. U-Passes are not offered during the winter and summer sessions.

The $105 U-Pass fee is mandatory for all full-time students. This fee will be charged to each full-time student’s tuition and fee account prior to the beginning of each fall and spring semester. 

Only full-time students are eligible for the U-pass. If a student picks up a U-pass and then drops below full-time at the end of add/drop, or leaves the school, the U-Pass will be deactivated and the $105 fee will not be refunded.

Questions about SAIC's CTA U-Pass Program may be directed to the ARTICard/U-Pass Office at 312.629.9362 or articard@saic.edu.

Getting a U-Pass

The Spring 2013 U-Pass will be valid January 22 to May 15. U-Pass pickup for all students will begin on January 22 at 9:00 a.m. in the Sharp Building, 37 S. Wabash Ave., room 213.

Distribution dates, times, and locations will be announced approximately one month prior to the start of each fall and spring semester. After the official distribution dates, U-Passes may be picked up in the ARTICard/U-Pass Office. 

Returning full-time students who had a U-Pass during the previous semester will pick up a preprinted pass. New and transfer full-time students will need to have their pictures taken by the CTA during the official distribution times.

You must bring your ARTICard student ID and be registered with full-time credits to pick up the U-Pass. Please Note: If you miss the official distribution period, U-Passes may take up to seven business days to process.

Lost, Damaged, or Captured U-Passes

If your card is damaged/captured in fare equipment

On CTA buses, the card will be collected. You will be asked to complete a Report of Captured Fare card (form 3027). You will be allowed to ride free and given a pink copy of the form for your records. If needed, a transfer will be provided.

At CTA rail stations, the card will be collected. You will be asked to complete a Fare Discrepancy Report (form 3024). You will be given a transit card and a copy of the form for your records.

In both instances:

You will be asked to go to CTA's Customer Service Center at 567 W. Lake St., 2nd floor, to request a replacement U-Pass. The Customer Service Center is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

When you present the form to the customer service agent, you will be given a seven-day unlimited ride transit pass to use until the replacement card is received.

If your card is lost/stolen:

Bring your valid school ID and $50 (cash, credit, or money order) replacement fee to the CTA’s Customer Service Center at 567 W. Lake St., 2nd floor. The $50 fee is nonrefundable.

CTA will replace lost or stolen cards only once per academic term.

All replacement cards are sent to the ARTICard/U-Pass Office within five to seven business days. An email will be sent to your artic.edu account when the replacement pass arrives.

REMINDER:  PLEASE HANDLE YOUR U-PASS CAREFULLY.  DO NOT BEND, FOLD, MUTILATE OR DAMAGE THE CARD IN ANY WAY.  DO NOT PLACE THE MAGNETIC STRIPE AGAINST NEXT TO ANOTHER, OR THE CARD MAY BECOME DEMAGNETIZED.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the U-Pass?

Where and when do I pick up my U-Pass?

Am I eligible for the U-Pass?

I only need to take a few classes in order to graduate…

I am a part-time student, but I also TA/participate in work-study…

I am a part-time student at SAIC, but also take classes at another school…

I might drop to part-time.  Should I pick up my U-Pass?

I drive to campus/I don't use the CTA.  Can I get a refund?

Can I sell my U-Pass or give it to a friend to use?

Why is the U-Pass fee required?

How do I use the U-Pass?

Where can I get more information about the CTA and its services?

What is the U-Pass?

The CTA established the U-Pass Program for eligible full-time students at accredited degree-granting schools within the CTA service area. The program provides low cost transportation and increases access to the Chicago metropolitan area.

Each fall and spring semester, all full-time undergraduate and graduate students are assessed a mandatory U-Pass fee entitling them to a nontransferable CTA U-Pass valid for that semester. The fee for fall and spring semesters is $105. The U-Pass is good for unlimited use aboard all CTA buses and trains throughout the semester. 

Where and when do I pick up my U-Pass?

Please see Getting a U-Pass.

Am I eligible for the U-Pass?

U-Pass eligibility is based on full-time status, which is determined by credit hours taken per semester. Minimum requirements may be different depending on Degree Program.

Credits Constituting Full-Time Status: 

I only need to take a few classes in order to graduate (part-time hours). Can I still get the U-Pass?

No, U-Pass eligibility is based on credit hours taken that semester, regardless of graduation requirements.

I am a part-time student, but I also TA/participate in work-study on campus.  Can I still get the U-Pass?

No, U-Pass eligibility is based on credit hours taken that semester, regardless of additional on or off-campus employment or extracurricular activities.

I am a part-time student at SAIC, but am also taking classes at another Chicago school. Can I still get the U-Pass?

No, U-Pass eligibility is based on credit hours taken at SAIC.

I might drop to part-time. Should I pick up my U-Pass?

Do not pick up your U-Pass unless you are sure you will maintain your full-time status. After the Add/Drop period, students who have picked up the U-Pass and then dropped below full-time will have their passes deactivated and the $105 fee will not be refunded. 

I drive to campus/I don't use the CTA. Can I get a refund?

No refunds will be issued to full-time students.  The mandatory U-Pass fee will be charged to all full-time students’ tuition and fee accounts.

Can I sell it or give it to a friend?

No, the U-Pass is nontransferable and has your name and photo. The CTA reserves the right to require a student to show a valid school identification card upon request. If this condition is violated, the U-Pass will be confiscated for the duration of the valid dates without reimbursement, and person using it will be subject to arrest and prosecution.

Why is the U-Pass fee required?

The CTA requires SAIC to charge all full-time students in order to participate in the U-Pass Program.

How do I use the U-Pass?

The U-Pass works like a CTA fare card. It is inserted into the fare machines at CTA train stations and on CTA buses. NOTE:  On CTA buses, if you insert your U-Pass into the dollar bill slot instead of the fare machine, it will be captured.

Where can I get more information about the CTA and its services?

Visit the CTA website at www.transitchicago.com or call the CTA Customer Service Hot-Line at 1.888.YOURCTA (888.968.7282).