U-Pass application to ride RTS fare free
Eligible employees may submit this application to request a U-Pass for fare-free RTS rides.
Form
Apply for U-Pass and get free RTS bus rides
Employees can apply for U-Pass to ride RTS buses throughout the Rochester area at no cost.
Topics on this page:
U-Pass application
About U-Pass
U-Pass is a free, alternative transportation program that encourages commuting via public transit. It provides unlimited fare-free rides on Regional Transit Service (RTS) buses, helping reduce commuting costs, parking demand, and environmental impact.
Transportation and Logistics partners with RTS to offer this benefit.
Simply present or swipe your pass when boarding an RTS bus.
U-Pass includes:
- Unlimited rides on RTS fixed routes
- Service available any time, on any route
- RTS On Demand is not included
U-Pass benefits
- Saves on commuting costs
- Fare-free access to RTS buses
- Reduces carbon footprint
- Helps reduce parking congestion
Note: U-Pass provides access to RTS public transit throughout the Rochester area and surrounding counties (fixed routes only). University shuttle services are separate from U-Pass. Shuttles provide free rides to and around University campuses, as well as local shopping and entertainment destinations, and do not require an application.
Eligibility
U-Pass is available to the following groups:
- Full-time employees who work at an approved location where parking permits are required and who choose to forgo an annual parking permit
- PhD students with appointments who live off campus
Approved Locations
Employees must work at an approved location to be eligible for U-Pass.
Approved River Campus locations
- River Campus
- Bloch Alumni & Advancement Center
- Brooks Landing
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics
- Mt. Hope Properties
- University Facilities Center
Approved Medical Center locations
- Medical Center Campus
- College Town
- 180 Sawgrass
- 200 East River Road
- 211 Bailey Road
- 300 & 315 Science Parkway
- Al Sigl Center
- Eastman Dental
- Helen Wood Hall
- Lattimore Medical Center
- Saunders Research Building
- Strong West
Eastman School of Music
Free bus pass
Apply for U-Pass
Eligible employees may apply online to request U-Pass and begin using RTS bus services.
Once your application is approved, you will receive an email from Parking confirming that U-Pass has been activated on your University ID.
Guidelines
- Employees must work at one of the approved locations listed above.
- If you have a current parking permit, you must cancel it for the year to obtain U-Pass. Your parking space will be held in the same lot for one parking year.
- Daily parking permits are available for purchase as needed. Up to 4 Daily Permits may be purchased per month. If your purchase more than 4 Daily Permits per month, your U-Pass will be terminated. Occasional passes cannot be used.
- U-Pass is non-transferable; only the person assigned to the bus pass may use it. If U-Pass is misused, it will be terminated.
- U-Pass bus passes are deactivated after 90 days of inactivity.
- If your employment status changes, including termination, leave of absence, retirement, or suspension, your U-Pass will be terminated.
- U-Pass expires June 30 of each year and must be renewed annually.
- If you wish to cancel U-Pass, visit the Parking office to cancel access and register for a parking permit, if applicable.
- RTS On Demand is excluded from the U-Pass program.
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