Employee Transit Pass

A program launching in fall 2023 where all Twin Cities benefits-eligible faculty and staff will receive unlimited access to all transit systems in the Twin Cities metro area (rides on the NorthStar require a small supplemental fare for each ride beyond a certain point). 

The ETP program provides low-cost transportation for all Twin Cities benefits-eligible faculty and staff and helps the University meet the following goals:   

• Sustainability
  • Aligns with MPact 2025 and the Twin Cities campus Climate Action Plan
  • Reduces the need for single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs) and their emissions
  • Expands/leverages on-campus transit options
• Equity  
  • Expands access to no/low-cost transportation
  • Reduces pass cost versus the current Metropass 
  • Connects home and campus, whether urban or suburban
  • Connects to the airport and Amtrak
• Access to Food
  •  Expands access to healthy, affordable food options 
• Safety
  • Provides frequent rides in all weather and at all hours of the day
  • Reduces single occupancy vehicles on campus making walking and biking safer 

ETP is a no-additional cost benefit for faculty and staff who have 75-100% appointments and receive benefits.

ETP will be a $3.50 per pay cycle or up to $7.58 month, pretax payroll deduction for faculty and staff who have 50-74% appointments and opt into Benefits.

The Metropass program will be retired.  Campus Connectors and Campus Circulators will continue to operate.

The program for 75-100% benefits-eligible staff will begin in late August 2023. An activation request form will go live on August 7 with the ETP activations beginning as early as August 21, 2023. 

The program for 50-74% benefits-eligible staff is anticipated to go live by late September 2023. 

Eligible employees will receive an email when they can request the ETP and when it is time to activate their ETP on their U Card. 

The U Card will be the pass for this program. You may need to replace your U Card to participate in ETP.

Check the back of your UCard for a MiFare chip. The MiFare chip is shown as 16 digits on the side of the card above the magnetic strip.  If you are unsure if your U Card needs to be replaced, please visit the U Card Office’s website. Any cards over 5 years old are eligible for a replacement card from the U Card Office at no cost. 

You might also have received an email notifying you that you need a replacement. If you do need to replace your U Card, please complete these steps before your visit:

1. Locate the approved government-issued photo ID that you will be required to present at the U Card Office.
2. View the U Card Office’s current hours of operation. 

Services on your U Card are affected when you replace a card, so please plan accordingly. Door access is affected for four hours. Your parking contract is affected until the following day. 

If you need to replace your U Card after you activate your ETP, you will need to wait two business days after replacement to activate. 

Once you’ve completed the activation request form, watch your email to learn when you can start activating your pass. Once you receive the message, activate your pass as soon as possible

You will have 12 days to activate it by tapping your U Card at any Metro Transit light rail/bus rapid transit station or at the activation stations at Coffman Memorial Union or Saint Paul Student Center.

 When first tapping your U Card, the messages to expect are:

• On rail - it will flash "GO" and beep loudly
• Coffman/St. Paul Student Center Activation Station - it will flash "GO" and beep loudly

If you don't see the "GO" message, tap your U Card twice at least one hour apart at any Metro Transit light rail station or at the Coffman/St. Paul Student Center Activation Stations.

• When you first tap, you will receive a message that says "Invalid."
• On the second tap, you will receive a "GO" message and hear a loud beep.

If you have issues with activation, email buspass@umn.edu for assistance.

You can view/print your Notice of Appointment at the bottom of the My Info Tab of MyU. Click "Current."  The pop up window will contain a section titled “Pay Components”. If your FTE percentage is listed as between 75% and 100%, you are eligible. If your FTE percentage is listed as between 50% and 74%, you will be able to opt in to the program at your cost.

Employees with appointments less than 50% are not eligible for this program. 

Ineligible groups include, but are not limited to: employees with appointments less than 50%, retirees, emeritus employees, temporary or casual staff, student workers, and graduate assistants, or any employee group that does not receive their benefits from the University.

The ETP should not interfere with the Go-To functionality that is available on the U Card. You should be able to continue to use the Go-To functionality even after the pass is loaded onto your U Card.

Northstar fares are determined by the day of the week and distance traveled; there are no rush-hour fares on Northstar trains.

ETP is valid for $3.25 toward your Northstar fare. Any remaining fare can be paid using stored value from your pass. Add value to your pass here.