Metro Tap Card Application

5/13/2019
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Summer 2019 Information

The USC Graduate Student Government (GSG) offers the U-Pass Pilot Program in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). The reduced-fare transit pass offers graduate students unlimited rides on Metro’s rail and bus lines for a given semester.

Please read all of the information on this page before purchasing a pass. If you need help or cannot find the answer to your question on this page, contact the GSG Director of Campus Affairs at gsgcamp@usc.edu.

ELIGIBILITY

Only continuing graduate students who are enrolled in Summer 2019 classes or paid the Spring 2019 Graduate Student Programming Fee are eligible. Undergraduates, postdocs, faculty, and staff are not eligible.

The U-Pass card is non-transferable and will be deactivated if found to be used by someone other than the authorized purchaser. Eligible students who sell their U-Passes after activation are subject to penalties and disqualification from the program.

PURCHASE

Summer 2019 passes are $70 and are valid for use from May 13, 2019 to August 25, 2019. Passes must be picked up or reloaded in person. Sales open on May 13. Sales close on June 21 (no passes will be sold after this date). Passes can be picked up or reloaded starting May 13 at the locations listed below.

NOTE: Spring 2019 passes will remain valid until June 2, 2019. If you purchase a Summer 2019 pass, please bring your current U-Pass card to the office so that it can be reloaded.

To purchase a U-Pass:

    1. Take the Metro Survey: https://lametro.formstack.com/forms/upass_usc
    2. Purchase the U-Pass: https://sait.usc.edu/ca/store/index.asp?CategoryID=617
    3. Gather up the following items:
      – Metro Survey confirmation page (if you have previously taken the survey, you do not need to take it again)
      – U-Pass purchase confirmation page
      – Proof of payment of the Spring 2019 “Graduate Student Programming Fee” (found on your ePay billing statement)
      – Proof of continuing enrollment (either expected graduation date found on OASIS STARS Report or Summer 2019 registered course list)
      – USC student ID card
  1. Pick up your U-Pass:
    – UPC pick-up: SKS 410, Mon – Thur, 10 AM – 4 PM
    – HSC pick-up (THE WEEK OF 5/13 ONLY): 1969 Zonal Ave (next to Starbucks), Mon – Fri, Noon – 1 PM

The items above can be shown to GSG staff from your smart phone or laptop. If you are unable to make it to campus during the standard pick-up times, you may designate a proxy to pick up your pass on your behalf. Provide your proxy with a note stating your name, your proxy’s name, your 10-digit student number, and all the proof-of-purchase items listed above (screenshots or printed proof is acceptable).

REFUND POLICY

No refunds will be granted at any time for any reason. Bangla movie full 2016. If the pass does not work, please report to the GSG office (SKS 410) so that we can exchange it for a new one. We cannot issue refunds once cards have been purchased.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why purchase a U-Pass?

This program offers students the opportunity to travel to campus and explore Los Angeles in a cheap and environmentally friendly fashion, without having to worry about gas, car maintenance or parking.

How much can I save with this program?

That depends on how often you ride and how you pay for your Metro fare. Compared to Metro’s reduced-fare student pass ($43/month), you can save at least $60 over a four-month period. Compared to purchasing individual one-way tickets, the U-Pass will save you money after 30 round trips. In other words, if you commute to USC twice per week, you will save money with a U-Pass.

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Can I purchase more than one pass?

No. A student can only purchase one U-Pass.

Where can I use the U-Pass?

The U-Pass is valid on the following transit agencies:

  • Metro buses and trains. This includes the Metro Rapid bus lines, the Red, Blue, Green, Gold and Expo rail lines, as well as regular Metro buses (including Zones 1 and 2).
  • LADOT – DASH buses. This does not include other LADOT transit services like Commuter Express.
  • Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. If you have issues using your U-Pass on Big Blue Bus please contact their customer service line at (310) 451-5444.
  • Culver City Bus
  • Norwalk Transit System
  • Torrance Transit

The pass is not valid on any other services, such as Metrolink. It currently does not cover transit run by other L.A. County municipalities including Gardena and Long Beach.

What if my TAP Card stops working?
Please send an email to gsgcamp@usc.edu with the following information:

  • Name and USC ID #
  • Tap Card #
  • Date, approximate time, and location where the failed transaction occurred (i.e., bus or rail, station or intersection)

What if the TAP Machine on my bus doesn’t work?
Some buses still have old TAP machines that do not read the U-Pass. If this occurs, you may need to pay the fare before boarding. Write down the route number and the individual bus number and send it to gsgcamp@usc.edu so that we can forward the information to Metro to allow them to update the machine on that particular bus. If you would like to receive a refund for fare that you paid due to a U-Pass malfunction, please contact Metro TAP customer service and provide the date, time, bus number, and TAP card number so an investigation can be done.

Is this program available to recent graduates?
No. The pass is available only for current, full-time, fee-paying USC graduate students.

What constitutes “full-time”?
USC’s pass is available for all students who qualify as full-time according to USC’s guidelines for their individual program.

Is this program available to online Virtual Academic Center (VAC) students?
VAC students are not eligible to purchase a U-Pass because they do not pay the Grad Student Programming Fee, which is used to subsidize the cost of the program.

What if I’m not eligible for the U-Pass?
You still may be eligible for a reduced-fare Metro TAP card through Metro. They have discounts for senior citizens, students, and people with disabilities. Check out the requirements and application instructions at: http://www.taptogo.net/Reduced_Fare

I lost my pass. What do I do?
Purchase a replacement pass online ($2), then pick up the replacement pass in person according to the pick-up times stated at the top of this page.

Can I add Stored Value onto the Metro U-Pass
Yes, adding Stored Value allows Metro U-Pass users to ride 23 other transit systems. Fare can be loaded at TAP vending machines (TVM), at TAP vendor locations, or by phone 888-TAPTOGO (1.866.827.8646).

What happens if I add Stored Value and my Metro U-Pass is lost/stolen?

  1. Purchase replacement pass online ($2)
  2. Pick up the replacement pass in person according to the pick-up times stated at the top of this page (the lost/stolen pass will be deactivated)
  3. Call 866.TAPTOGO (866.827.8646) to request a transfer balance to the new U-Pass
    • Lost/stolen U-Pass number is required to process the balance transfer. Obtain your lost/stolen U-Pass number when you pick up your replacement pass or email gsgcamp@usc.edu

RIDING WITH LADOT IS EASY

Keep these simple tips in mind and use this guide to determine which LADOT route will serve you best. Pick up the specific DASH or Commuter Express brochure for the route you will be using.

Stops are clearly marked on each route map. Board the bus at any place along the route that is marked with an LADOT bus stop sign displaying either a DASH or Commuter Express logo.

Many Commuter Express stops are shared with other services that are part of Metro, the LA County's transportation system. These signs are marked Metro on top with route numbers using that stop listed below. When the bus approaches, check the sign above the windshield for the route number and destination.

Pay your fare or use a TAP card upon boarding. For Commuter Express riders, if you need to purchase an Interagency transfer, pay for it using your TAP card upon boarding the second bus.

About one block before your bus arrives at your stop, signal the driver to stop by pulling the bell cord overhead. The driver will stop at the next bus stop sign. If you are unsure of where you need to depart, the driver will be glad to assist. Refer to your specific route brochure for exact bus stop locations and departure times. Times are approximate and may vary due to traffic and weather conditions. Please plan your trip accordingly.

As a courtesy to other passengers, LADOT does not allow smoking, eating, drinking or loud radio playing while on the bus. Be courteous to other passengers by keeping the volume low or using headphones with any radios. Do not distract the drivers with unnecessary conversation and activity. For more information, please see our Riders' Code of Conduct page.

Please reserve the forward-most seating on the bus for elderly or mobility impaired passengers.

For the latest information on route detours or other service notices, check the News and Alerts section, or sign up to receive email blasts or Tweets specific to the LADOT route(s) you use.

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