Parking & Transportation FAQs: Employee U-Pass

EMPLOYEE U-PASS INFORMATION

Q: What is the ASU U-Pass?
The ASU U-Pass is an annual transit pass that grants ASU employees unlimited access to Valley Metro bus routes and the METRO light rail.

Q: Who is eligible to receive an Employee U-Pass?
All ASU faculty and staff can obtain a U-Pass. Human Resources determines faculty or staff classification. This benefit is not extended to other types of ASU affiliates.

Q: How much does an Employee U-Pass cost?
University employees can receive the pass for the discounted rate of $390 annually for a local transit pass and $520 annually for an express pass. Purchasing an annual transit pass from Valley Metro would cost $660 (local) or $1020 (express).

Q: In 2008-09, the annual cost for an Employee U-Pass was $260 (local) and $390 (express.) Why the increase in price for 2009-10?
The prices for 2009-2010 U-Passes are higher than those of 2008-09 due to Valley Metro's 40 percent fare increase, which goes into effect July 1.

Q: How do I pay for a U-Pass?
You can pay for a U-Pass in full at any campus permit sales office using cash, personal check, Visa or MasterCard. Benefits-eligible employees can pay for their U-Pass, pre-tax, through payroll deduction. Visit your campus permit sales office to set up payroll deduction.

Q: Where can I get a U-Pass?
ASU employees can visit their campus permit sales office (Downtown, Polytechnic, Tempe or West) or the commuter options office to purchase an ASU U-Pass.

Q: How do I set up payroll deduction?
You are responsible for any payroll deductions from the date of purchase up to and including the date you return your ASU U-Pass to your campus permit sales office (Downtown, Polytechnic, Tempe or West). If you terminate your employment with ASU, you must return your ASU U-Pass and pay any outstanding balance due on the ASU U-Pass from the date of the last payroll deduction.

Q: When will payroll deductions start?
Under the fiscal year pay cycle, deductions begin after July 1 and conclude June 30. Academic year pay cycle deductions begin after Aug. 16 and conclude May 15.

Q: How do I return an ASU U-Pass?
ASU U-Passes are the property of Arizona State University, are non-transferrable and must be returned if leaving campus permanently. You must return the U-Pass to your campus permit sales office (Downtown, Polytechnic, Tempe or West) for a pro-rated refund if you purchased a U-Pass in full, instead of electing for payroll deduction, but then leave the university.

Q: What about lost, stolen or damaged U-Passes?
Lost or stolen U-Passes may be replaced by completing a lost/stolen affidavit. The first lost/stolen U-Pass will be charged a nominal replacement fee. Any subsequent lost/stolen U-Passes will be charged the full transit price at the current pro-rated rate.

Q: Am I considered a student if I take classes at ASU?
Your primary affiliation with the university is determined by ASU’s human resources management system, PeopleSoft. If you are getting paid by the university and are not in a student worker or graduate assistant position, there is a good possibility that you are classified as staff or faculty. Although employees may also take classes does not change their primary affiliation with the university as a staff or faculty member. This information is then passed on to the Parking and Transit Services database, which is how PTS then identifies you and conducts business with you as a customer. If you are classified as a staff or faculty member, you are required to pay the discounted transit pass fees. If you are classified as a student, your pass costs $40 per semester.

Q: Will pre-tax payroll deduction apply to my U-Pass and parking permit?
Yes. Your transit pass and parking permit can both be deducted from your paycheck pre-tax.

Q: If I decide later in the year to purchase a U-Pass, can I do so for a pro-rated rate?
Yes.

Q: If I pay for a U-Pass in full, can I receive a pro-rated refund?
Yes.

Q: Now that light rail is in operation, how does that affect the shuttles?
ASU Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses are connected via a direct, 30-minute light rail ride. As a result, the shuttle between the Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses has been discontinued. Students, faculty and staff traveling to the Downtown Phoenix campus are encouraged to use light rail. The free shuttles between Tempe and the West and Polytechnic campuses continue to operate on their current schedules, with the West campus shuttle making a stop at the Downtown Phoenix campus each hour.

Q: What if I am required to go to other ASU campuses for work?
A department can purchase department transit passes for that purpose. These passes are only to be used for work-related meetings and training.

Q: Can I buy a bus pass that would not include the light rail?
No. Valley Metro merged its bus program with light rail service, offering a single pass for both types of transportation. ASU PTS is required to adopt this same method of a combined bus and light rail pass in the administration of its U-Pass program.

Q: What are the hours of operation for the light rail?
View hours of operation.

Q: What is Metro light rail's alignment?
View the light rail line.

Q: How do I use the U-Pass on the light rail?
View the U-Pass webpage.

Q: Do buses and light rail trains accommodate wheelchairs and bicycles?
Yes.

Q: Can I drive my car and park near a bus or light rail route?
Yes, for free! More than 40 Park-and-Ride lots are located throughout the greater Phoenix area, with eight Park-and-Ride locations along the light rail route. For a complete list, visit www.valleymetro.org.

Q: How much money can I save by using the ASU U-Pass?
You can save hundreds of dollars in gas expenses, maintenance costs and wear and tear on your vehicle. If riding the bus or light rail becomes your primary means for traveling to campus, you may also save money by choosing to not purchase a parking permit.

Q: Who do I contact with questions?
Commuter Options Office