U-PASS

Student Eligibility

In most cases, your tuition includes a mandatory U-PASS fee. If you pay the fee, you are eligible for U-PASS benefits and they should automatically activate on your Husky ID Card. There are some cases where the U-PASS fee is not included, such as some graduate-level programs and courses that do not include standard tuition.

Programs that do not include the U-PASS fee in their tuition:

• Study abroad courses
• MCL - Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership
• MSACC - Master of Accounting
• GCSD - Graduate Certificate in Software Design

If the U-PASS fee was not included in your tuition, you may purchase a temporary U-PASS card. These cards are $60 and are valid for 3 calendar months.

Activation & Maintaining Benefits

There's no need to sign up or activate your benefits - they will start and stop working automatically according to the calendar below.

Replacement Husky Card

If your Husky Card is lost, stolen or damaged, your U-PASS will be electronically transferred to your replacement Husky Card. Your U-PASS will be available for use on transit 12 to 24 hours after your replacement Husky Card is issued.

Purchase a 3-month Temp U-PASS Card

Students who are enrolled in courses that do not include the U-PASS fee in their tuition are eligible to purchase a 3-month Temp U-PASS for $60. 

How to purchase

1. Click the button below to fill out the request form.
2. Transportation Services will confirm your eligibility to purchase a Temp U-PASS Card.
3. We will email you the purchase link once your eligibility is confirmed.
4. Visit our online store to complete your purchase. You can pay with credit/debit or an electronic check.
5. When your order is ready, pick up your U-PASS at the Transportation Services office in MDS 113.

Important notes: 

• Supplies are limited and U-PASSes may sell out! Requesting your pass at least 1 month in advance of the start date will help us to ensure we order enough passes to meet demand. 
• Students may only purchase ONE Temp U-PASS card each quarter. We are not able to issue replacement cards. Please make sure you keep your Temp U-PASS in a safe place! 

Temp U-PASS Valid Dates

These temporary cards have predetermined start and end dates, which do not follow the academic quarter schedule. Please pay attention to these as they cannot be changed!

Not eligible for a Temp U-PASS? Get an ORCA Card

Anyone can get an ORCA card and load funds on it as needed. Learn more about the ORCA card. The ORCA card has several options for reduced fares for qualified riders!

• Children ages 5 and younger ride free with a paying adult passenger
• Riders age 6 - 18 ride free (show your school ID or get a Youth ORCA card)
• Low income households can get reduced fares with ORCA Lift
• Riders age 65 and over, as well as qualified disabled and medicare customers, can get reduced fares with the Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP)
• Residents of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties who are at or below 80% of the federal poverty level and are enrolled in one of six state benefit programs can obtain a subsidized annual pass valid for travel on King County Metro and Sound Transit services

Employee Eligibility

As of July 1, 2022, all paid University of Washington employees receive a fully subsidized U-PASS as part of their employment benefits.

This does not include:

• student hourly employees
• academic student employees
• unpaid academics or affiliates
• other appointees who are not paid

Activation

There's no need to sign up or activate your benefits - they will start working automatically. Your U-PASS will activate within 12 to 24 hours of receiving your Husky Card.

Replacement Husky Card

If your Husky Card is lost, stolen or damaged, your U-PASS will be electronically transferred to your replacement Husky Card. Your U-PASS will be available for use on transit 12 to 24 hours after your replacement Husky Card is printed.