U-PASS Rates
As of July 1, 2011 the University of Washington Board of Regents approved the U-PASS rate of $83.00 per quarter for individual passes. Please read the following information regarding the ORCA powered U-PASS.
U-PASS is Joining the POD
All transit pass programs in the region are moving to ORCA technology and U-PASS is no exception. U-PASS has partnered with ORCA to include the region's smart card transit technology inside your Husky Card to power your U-PASS member transit benefit. Instead of a U-PASS sticker, your U-PASS is inside the smart chip in your card.
UW Bothell Commuter Services and the Husky Card office are partnering to transition UW Bothell to the new U-PASS with transit powered by ORCA. Faculty, staff and students who purchase U-PASS will be able to use it for payment on buses, Sounder trains and Link light rail, but instead of flashing a U-PASS sticker, riders will tap their Husky card (with the U-PASS product activated) on the ORCA reader to show proof of payment. While the regional ORCA program allows access to ferry passes and fare payment, ferry service will not be included with the U-PASS product. Ferry riders can purchase an ORCA Card or WavetoGo Card for fare payment.
Timeline and Communications
Faculty and staff U-PASS members are anticipated to transition to the new U-PASS with transit powered by ORCA by July 1. Student U-PASS members are anticipated to transition to the new U-PASS by the start of Fall Quarter 2011.
A major communication effort will be launched in mid May 2011. Our goal is to make the transition to the new U-PASS with transit powered by ORCA technology as seamless as possible for U-PASS members. Until then, U-PASS participants will still flash their U-PASS sticker to ride the bus, Swift, RapidRide, Sounder Trains and Link light rail.
Your Husky Card is a U-PASS, not a standard ORCA Card
In order to provide the convenience of single-card access to all campus services, the UW decided to include the smart chip inside the new Husky Card instead of issuing standard ORCA cards. The transit portion of your U-PASS will use the ORCA system to process payment for transit, but will not provide access to the full range of ORCA services.
The card cannot be registered in the ORCA system and you will not be able to add E-purse Funds. If you choose to add other ORCA products and your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, neither the University nor the ORCA agencies will replace those products.
To receive the benefits associated with ORCA card registration and/or the ability to replace ORCA products if your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, please contact ORCA to purchase a standard ORCA Card.
Privacy Issues and U-PASS
No personal information will be stored on the smart chip. The chip contains a number with instructions to activate or deactivate U-PASS membership. The University of Washington (UW) sends files which contain these numbers to the region's ORCA system. No names of UW ID numbers are included in the files. Limited trip data is also stored on the chip for the purpose of processing transit transactions or payment, but it is not associated with names or UW ID numbers. The UW Bothell Cashier's Office will be the only office with information about WHO has a valid U-PASS and we will keep this information private in accordance with the UW privacy policy, UW Electronic Information Privacy Policy on Personally Identifiable Information. The UW Bothell Cashier's Office will not have access to individually identifiable trip data from the ORCA system.
FlexPass
As of July 1, the traditional FlexPass product will be discontined as part of the University's transition to using ORCA technology for the U-PASS program. To serve employees who are not eligible to recieve Husky Cards, the Cashier's office will issue the new Transit Pass for Temporary and Hourly Employees (TEMP Pass). This transit pass will utilize ORCA technology and require the customer to agree to the applicable U-PASS Terms of Use. All the current FlexPass program rules and policies will still apply.
Using U-PASS for Paratransit Services
Paratransit eligible U-PASS members can use U-PASS to pay for paratransit trips. When booking a trip, you must identify that you have a valid U-PASS in order to use your U-PASS to pay your fare. Additional instructions by transit agency are provided below.
King County Metro Access: Access-eligible riders should call 206-205-5000; press 4 and then 2 to report to Access Customer Service that they have a U-PASS. Through September 2011, riders can also call 206-749-4250, ext. 4492 to reach the Access ORCA specialist.
Community Transit Dial a Ride (DART): At the time of booking their DART trips, U-PASS members should identify themselves and identify that they are going to pay for their DART ride with a U-PASS. When they board to ride, they should just show their U-PASS to the driver.
Kitsap Transit: When scheduling a ride on Kitsap Transit Access, the customer should let the customer service representative know that they are a U-PASS member. An administrative staff person will than verify the pass and mark their file. It is not necessary for the rider to show their pass to the operator.
Pierce Transit: Shuttle eligible riders should call 253-581-8100 to report to Shuttle Customer Service that they have a U-PASS.
Everett Transit: When scheduling a ride on Everett Para Transit, the customer should let the customer service representative know they are a U-PASS cardholder and will be paying the fare with a U-PASS. When boarding the Everett Para Transit van, the customer will need to show the U-PASS to the operator.
Inter-county Paratransit Transfer Trips: Riders who book an inter-county paratransit transfer trip via their home agency pay only on their home agency bus, and thus only need to notify that agency that they have a U-PASS. Riders who directly book a trip with another agency for a trip that begins with that agency are expected to pay full fare for that trip, and thus should also notify that agency that they have a U-PASS. For example, an Everett Paratransit customer booking an inter-county trip from Everett to Tacoma would notify Everett Paratransit that they have a U-PASS (per procedures established at Everett Paratransit). Everett Paratransit would schedule the round trip to and from Tacoma, and the rider would only pay full fare each time they board Everett Paratransit (the home agency) no matter how many buses they ride. If this same customer calls King County Metro to book a trip or round trip on Access' fare and/or notify King Country Metro that they will be paying with a U-PASS.
Questions
For immediate questions regarding the U-PASS transition to ORCA technology on the UW Bothell campus, email trans@uwb.edu. Please enter "ORCA Question" in the subject line.
U-PASS: What Stays the Same?
Your new Husky Card and U-PASS membership are still your keys to U-PASS benefits, including:
- Unlimited rides on King County Metro, Community Transit, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, or Everett Transit bus services, including Swift and RapidRide, and on Sound Transit's buses, Link light rail and Sounder commuter trains.
- Discounts and special offers at more than 30 local merchants in the Seattle area.
U-PASS: What is Changing?
No more stickers. Once students have transitioned to the U-PASS powered by ORCA, U-PASS membership will be turned on or off electronically. Students will be able to purchase their U-PASS on-line along with registration for classes. It will be one of the selections on the Optional Charges page, or students can purchase U-PASS at the Cashier's Office. As part of the transition to the U-PASS with transit powered by ORCA, U-PASS members will be required to acknowledge that they have read and accept the new U-PASS Terms of Use.
UW Bothell students will accept the U-PASS Terms of Use on the Optional Charges page or by paper form at the Cashier's Office.
Initial activation for new U-PASS members
Unlike the old U-PASS sticker, your new U-PASS needs to be activated after you purchase it. Activation takes three easy steps:
1. Purchase
To participate in the U-PASS program, you first purchase U-PASS membership at the campus where your primary work or academic major is based.
2. Wait
You must wait 24 to 48 hours after purchase before you can use your U-PASS on transit. U-PASS activation for transit is uploaded onto the readers on buses when they are at the base (i.e. not on the road). Train station readers are updated daily.
3. Tap within 60 days
To finalize the activation of your U-PASS for use on transit, you must use it for transit service within 60 days of purchase. Tapping your card on the ORCA reader updates your chip and finalizes activation of your U-PASS for transit. If you do not tap onto transit within 60 days, your U-PASS will not work for transit fare payment and you will need to request reactivation of your U-PASS transit benefit.
Reactivation
U-PASS members who do not finalize activation within 60 days of purchase must submit a reactivation request at www.u-pass.washington.edu/reactivate. Your U-PASS will be available for use on transit 24 to 48 hours after you submit your reactivation request. You must tap your card on an ORCA card reader within 60 days of reactivation to finalize your U-PASS powered by ORCA membership.
U-PASS Activation When You Receive a 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 24 to 48 hours after your replacement Husky Card is printed. You must use tap your Husky Card on an ORCA card reader within 60 days of receiving your new Husky Card to finalize your U-PASS activation.
Faculty and Staff
If you do not have a photo on your current Husky Card and you did not have a photo previously taken at the Public Safety Office, you must have your photo taken at the Public Safety Office located in LB2 005 before May 13.
For more information about the distribution of new Husky Cards, or to find out if you qualify for a new pre-printed Husky Card, visit the Husky Card website.
U-PASS: What Stays the Same?
Purchasing your U-PASS will not change. Employees in permanent positions working at least 50% time can continue to purchase/renew U-PASS through UW Bothell Cashier's Office. Your new Husky Card with U-PASS membership is still your key to the extensive range of benefits that includes:
- Unlimited rides on King County Metro, Community Transit, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, or Everett Transit bus services, including Swift and RapidRide, and on Sound Transit's Link light rail and Sounder commuter trains.
- Emergency Ride Home
- Discounts and special offers at more than 30 local merchants in the Seattle area.
U-PASS: What is Changing?
No more stickers. Once faculty and staff have transitioned to the U-PASS powered by ORCA, U-PASS membership can be turned on or off electronically. More details will be published starting in mid May.
As part of the transition to the U-PASS with transit powered by ORCA, U-PASS members will be required to acknowledge that they have read and accepted the new U-PASS Terms of Use.
Faculty and Staff U-PASS members who renew their U-PASS annually through the Cashier's Office will be asked to accept the U-PASS Terms of Use at time of renewal. Faculty and staff who purchase the U-PASS in person at the Cashier's Office will be asked to agree to the U-PASS Terms of Use at time of purchase.
Transit Information
The U-PASS, powered by ORCA, makes getting to UW Bothell and around the Puget Sound cheaper and easier than driving alone! The U-PASS provides UW Bothell students, faculty, and staff unlimited travel on the following transportation carriers:
Community Transit
Everett Transit
King County Metro
Kitsap Transit
Pierce Transit
Sound Transit
Sounder Commuter Train
Choosing an alternative to driving alone once or twice a week is a simple way to save money, reduce stress and help preserve the environment.
Returning Your U-PASS
The U-PASS is the property of UW Bothell, and may not be loaned, sold, or transferred in any manner to another person. Misuse of the U-PASS will result in confiscation by the University, King County Metro, Sound Transit, or Community Transit. To reclaim a confiscated card, call the Security and Campus Safety Office in LB2 005 at 425.352.5359. Return found cards to the Security and Campus Safety Office.
Lost U-PASS
Students
Report a lost U-PASS to the Cashier's office in UW1 182 at 425.352.3246. You will then need to contact Security and Campus Safety in LB2 005 at 425.352.5359 to get a new Husky Card. The cost of replacing a lost Husky Card is $20. Then go back to the Cashier's office and re-activate your U-PASS status.
Faculty and Staff
Report a lost U-PASS to the Cashier's office in UW1 182 at 425.352.3246. You will then need to contact Security and Campus Safety in LB2 005 at 425.352.5359 to get a new Husky Card. The cost of replacing a lost Husky Card is $20. Once you have obtained a new Husky Card, bring your card to the UW Bothell Cashier's Office to reactivate your U-PASS status.
U-PASS Refunds
Students
Withdrawal Fee: Students who withdraw through the seventh calendar day of the quarter will owe a $75 U-PASS fee unless they return their U-PASS to the Cashier's Office by the tuition due date.
If you withdraw after the seventh calendar day and pay one-half of your tuition, you may retain the U-PASS for $50 or return it no later than the tuition due date to have the $50 fee waived. There are no U-PASS refunds after the tuition payment deadline and no replacements of lost U-PASS stickers if you have withdrawn.
Faculty and Staff
U-PASS refunds will be prorated for the pay period for which it is turned in. For those on payroll deduction, the deduction will cease upon notification of cancellation.