The Ventra/Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) U-Pass allows eligible SAIC students unlimited use of CTA buses and trains for the fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters. When compared with regular CTA fares for a semester, the Ventra U-Pass can provide more than $150 in savings.
The CTA will allow eligible students to opt in or out of the U-Pass program. Eligible students are those who are registered with six or more credit hours for each fall, spring, and summer term, and three credit hours for the winter term.
To opt in or out of the U-Pass, you must respond to the official email that will be sent to your SAIC email address every semester. If we do not receive your response by the deadline listed in the email, then your CTA U-Pass will not be activated, and you will not be charged.
- The summer 2023 opt in/out email will be sent weekly beginning on May 4.
- The fall 2023 opt in/out email will be sent weekly beginning on June 29.
- The winter 2024 opt in/out email will be sent weekly beginning on November 30.
- The spring 2024 opt in/out email will be sent weekly beginning on January 4.
All eligible students who opt in for the U-Pass will be charged the CTA U-Pass fee. The fee will be charged to the student’s tuition and fee account prior to the beginning of each semester. The fee is $155 for the fall semester, $155 for the spring semester, $115 for the summer term and $35 for the winter term. A one-time $5 fee, which covers the cost of the card, will also be charged to each full-time student’s account for the initial issuance of the Ventra U-Pass card.
Ventra U-Pass entitlement is valid up to four days prior to the start of the semester and lasts until two or three days after the semester ends.
Ventra U-Pass cards feature the student's photo and name. The cards are valid for five to seven years after initial issuance. This means students will keep their Ventra U-Pass cards from semester to semester, even if they take a leave of absence or transfer to another school within the CTA's U-Pass program. Whenever the U-Pass account is inactive or not applicable, the Ventra U-Pass card operates as a full-fare card.
Questions about SAIC's Ventra U-Pass Program may be directed to the ARTICard/U-Pass Office at 312.629.9362 or articard@saic.edu.
Getting a U-Pass
Distribution dates, times, and locations will be announced approximately one month prior to the start of each semester. After the official distribution dates, U-Passes may be picked up in the ARTICard Office.
- Full-time students for Summer 2023: The U-Pass for summer 2023 will be active from May 27 through August 20. Students taking at least 6 credit hours will be eligible for the benefit.
- Full-time students for Fall 2023: The U-Pass for fall 2023 will be active from August 26 through December 20. Students taking at least 6 credit hours will be eligible for the benefit.
- Full-time students for Winter 2024: The U-Pass for winter 2024 will be active from January 2 through January 23. Students taking at least 3 credit hours will be eligible for the benefit.
Eligible returning students for winter 2024 who opt in and had a U-Pass during the previous semester will find their U-Pass activated on January 2. (REMEMBER: keep the same card you had last semester.) Due to the winter holiday break, students must opt in and be registered for class no later than December 19 to have their U-Pass activated on time. Check your Ventra app to see if the U-Pass is active on your card.
Full-time students for Spring 2024
The U-Pass for spring 2024 will be active from January 22 through May 15. Students taking at least 6 credit hours will be eligible for the benefit.
New and transfer full-time students may submit a photo of themselves for the U-Pass. Check your SAIC email for a personalized link to submit your photo. Visit the ARTICard page for more information on submitting your photo. New U-Passes may be picked up in the ARTICard Office during normal business hours. You must bring your ARTICard student ID to pick up the Ventra U-Pass.
New and transfer students for whom we do not have a photo may apply for their new U-Pass in person in the ARTICard Office.
Transfer students
Transfer students with a U-Pass from another Chicago-area school should send an email to articard@saic.edu to have the information transferred to SAIC. Include the card number, expiration date, and previous school attended. Do this right away to ensure that a new card is not printed for you.
How to Use the U-Pass
When you first receive your Ventra U-Pass card, you must activate the card by calling 1-877-450-5328. You will be prompted to enter the Ventra U-Pass card number found on the back of the card. Next, you will select option 2 for "college or university card". For the last step, you will enter your seven-digit SAIC student ID number. Once completed, your U-Pass card is activated and ready for use.
When the semesters are not in session, the Ventra U-Pass card can be loaded with personal funds and used as a full-fare card. For more information, please visit the Transit Chicago website.
BE SURE TO REMOVE YOUR U-PASS FROM YOUR PURSE OR WALLET BEFORE USING. Holding your entire purse or wallet up to the reader may cause the reader to detect a different card that uses contactless technology, such as your bank card or credit card. If this happens, your fare may be charged to this other account, and you will not be refunded.
What To Do If Your U-Pass Does Not Work
If the balance on your card falls below -$2.50, your U-Pass will be temporarily suspended. This can happen if the card is tapped twice in quick succession at the train stations. The system assumes there is a second person riding, so it charges your card the bus or train fare for the second tap.
The suspension can be lifted by paying off the negative balance at any train station kiosk, online at www.ventrachicago.com, or using the Ventra app (see below). You can also dispute the charges by calling Ventra Customer Service at 1-877-NOW-VENTRA and speaking to an agent. The agent can look and see when and where the charges occurred, and they may decide to waive the charges if it looks like an error has occurred.
You can check your balance any time at www.ventrachicago.com/balance. Enter the 16-digit number and expiration date printed on the back of your Ventra U-Pass. You will see your current balance, card status, and active passes on your account.
If you get no response from the readers when you tap your U-Pass, the card may be damaged.
Download the all-new Ventra app
Register your Ventra U-Pass with the app, and you will be able to see your active passes (U-Pass, 1-day, 7-day, etc.), current balance, and your transit history. If you incur a negative balance, you will be able to easily see when and where it occurred.
Link a credit card to your account, and you will be able to pay off your negative balance immediately with the app. You can also pay off the balance at any train station kiosk, or any store that allows you to add value.
Lost or Damaged Ventra U-Passes
If your card is damaged:
The replacement fee for a damaged card is $5. Bring the damaged card to the ARTICard/U-Pass Office in the Sharp Building, 37 South Wabash Avenue, room 254. We will collect the damaged card and place an order for a replacement Ventra U-Pass. Cards cannot be ordered unless the fee is paid.
If you wish, you may choose to get a seven-day unlimited ride transit pass to use until the replacement card is received. These passes can only be obtained at CTA's Customer Service Center at 567 West Lake Street, 2nd floor. The Customer Service Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If your card is lost/stolen:
Report lost or stolen cards right away to Ventra Customer Service (1-877-NOW-VENTRA) and to the ARTICard Office.
The CTA U-Pass replacement fee is $50 payable by ARTICash only. To replace your U-Pass, bring your school ID and ARTICash payment to the ARTICard/U-Pass Office in the Sharp Building, room 254. The fee is nonrefundable. Cash, credit, or debit cards cannot be accepted in the ARTICard office.
All replacement cards are shipped to the ARTICard/U-Pass Office within three to five business days. An email will be sent to your SAIC email 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.
Fraud Prevention
The CTA has increased efforts at preventing misuse of Special Fare Programs such as the U-Pass. Ventra U-Pass cards being used by persons not matching the card photo and identification may be confiscated. Owners of confiscated cards can have their U-Pass benefit suspended for up to one calendar year.
Do not loan your U-Pass card to friends or family. Be sure to report lost or stolen cards to the ARTICard office right away. Report stolen cards to the police and obtain a police report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the U-Pass?
The CTA established the U-Pass Program for eligible 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 semester, eligible undergraduate and graduate students, who choose to opt in, are assessed a U-Pass fee entitling them to a nontransferable Ventra CTA U-Pass valid for 10 years. The U-Pass entitlement is activated each semester for all eligible students who opt in. The fee for the fall and spring semesters is $155 per semester. The fee for the winter term is $35. The fee for the summer term is $115. The U-Pass is good for unlimited use aboard all CTA buses and trains throughout the semester. When the U-Pass entitlement is inactive, the Ventra U-Pass card can still be used as a full-fare card.
Where and when do I pick up my U-Pass?
Please see Getting a U-Pass.
How do I activate the Ventra U-Pass Card?
When you first receive your Ventra U-Pass card, you must activate the card by calling 1-877-450-5328. You will be prompted to enter the Ventra U-Pass card number found on the back of the card. Next, you will select option 2 for "college or university card". For the last step, you will enter your seven-digit SAIC student ID number. Once completed, your U-Pass card is activated and ready for use.
When will my U-Pass activate if I opt in after the U-Pass active start date?
The U-Pass will be activated within 2-3 business days after you submit an opt in response for the semester.
Am I eligible for the U-Pass?
Eligible students are those who are registered with six or more credit hours for each fall, spring, and summer term, and three credit hours for the winter term.
I only need to take one class to graduate. Can I still get the U-Pass activated?
No, U-Pass eligibility is based on credit hours taken that semester, regardless of graduation requirements.
Will the credits from my summer class be factored into my full-time status for the fall semester?
No, U-Pass eligibility is based on credit hours taken that semester, regardless of classes taken over the summer. Credits for classes taken over the summer will not be applied towards your eligibility for the fall semester.
Will the credits from my winter class be factored into my full-time status for the spring semester?
No, U-Pass eligibility is based on credit hours taken that semester, regardless of classes taken over the winter interim. Credits for classes taken over the winter interim will not be applied towards your full-time status for the spring semester.
I will not be registered for classes, but I am a TA or 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 below the required credit hours. Should I opt in for the U-Pass?
It's up to you. The Ventra U-Pass card can be used with or without the U-Pass benefit. After the Add/Drop period, students who have opted in, and then dropped below the required credit hours will have their U-Pass account deactivated, and their card will operate as a full-fare card. The U-Pass semester fee will also be removed from your tuition account. All students who pick up the Ventra U-Pass card will be charged a one-time $5 fee. The $5 fee is non-refundable.
Should I keep my Ventra card if I am taking a Leave of Absence?
Yes. The Ventra card is valid until the expiration date printed on the back of the card. Do not throw this card away. The Ventra card operates as a regular full-fare card when the U-Pass account is inactive so you can load funds and use the card for regular CTA transportation. If you return to SAIC, you will use the same Ventra card until it expires. If you do not have your valid Ventra card when you return to SAIC, you will have to pay the $50 CTA replacement fee.
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 any person using it will be subject to arrest and prosecution.
How do I use the U-Pass?
Please see How to Use the U-Pass.
How do I use the Ventra full-fare system when the U-Pass benefit is not active, or when I am not enrolled with the required credit hours?
When the U-Pass is not active, you can add personal funds or purchase passes. Please visit ventrachicago.com for details about how you can use your U-Pass to purchase CTA passes.
Can I use the U-Pass to ride the Metra trains or Pace buses?
No, the U-Pass entitlement will not work on Metra or Pace. You will need to purchase Metra or Pace passes to add to your Ventra U-Pass card.
Where can I get more information about the CTA and its services?
Visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com or call the CTA Customer Service Hotline at 1.888.YOURCTA (888.968.7282).
