Fully subsidized U-PASS employee benefit expanded

Eligibility

1. How do I know if I am eligible for the fully subsidized U-PASS?  All personnel who are paid by the University of Washington will be eligible for a fully subsidized U-PASS. Learn how to check your eligibility through MyUW on the U-PASS benefit web page.
    
2. Why don’t I qualify for the fully subsidized U-PASS?
   The expansion of the fully subsidized U-PASS was determined by the President’s Office in collaboration with UW Human Resources. Transportation Services is not involved in decisions made about who gets the benefit. 
    
3. Who should I talk to about my eligibility status for the fully subsidized U-PASS?

   Employees with questions about their status should seek assistance from their local HR teams who will be able to confirm employee type and/or status of hire in Workday. Department HR representatives may contact upasseligibility@uw.edu when they need assistance confirming eligibility.

Processes

1. I qualify for the fully subsidized U-PASS. How do I get it?
   If you qualify for the fully subsidized U-PASS, it will be active starting July 1, 2022. You will be able to use it on buses, the Link light rail and more. For a full list of what your fully subsidized U-PASS covers, visit https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/transit/u-pass. By receiving the fully subsidized U-PASS, you agree to the U-PASS terms of use.
    

2. How do I check if I am eligible for the fully subsidized U-PASS benefit?
   First confirm that you have a Husky Card with a smart chip and then follow the instructions on checking your eligibility through MyUW on the U-PASS benefit web page.
    

3. I have a fully subsidized U-PASS, but the message “Insufficient Funds” appears when I tap it on an ORCA Card reader. What might be going wrong?
   It can take 12-24 hours for the eligibility file to upload into the ORCA system and to be downloaded to all buses and trains. This is likely the reason for the “Insufficient Funds” message display. In the meantime, use your U-PASS as a “flash pass” on transit. You can show the bus driver or enforcement officer that you are an active U-PASS holder by showing them the Transportation Services email you have received or by logging into your MyUW account and showing them your active U-PASS account status. For more information about how the U-PASS function works, please view the U-PASS terms of use. 
   
   If the “Insufficient Funds” message persists for more than 5 business days, contact your campus Transportation Services office to have the issue investigated.
    
4. Does my fully subsidized U-PASS automatically renew every year?
   Yes. Your U-PASS will remain active until you are no longer eligible for the benefit (ex. You leave the University or a new job classification is ineligible for the benefit). 
    
5. I recently got promoted/changed my position. What does this mean for my fully subsidized U-PASS?
   If you are in a new position that no longer qualifies for the fully subsidized U-PASS, you will need to purchase a U-PASS if you would like to continue this service. You can do so by contacting your campus Transportation Services office.
   
   UW Seattle
   ucommute@uw.edu
   206-221-3701
   1320 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98105
   Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
   
   Purchase OPT-IN Employee U-PASS FOR UW SEATTLE
   UW Bothell
   U-PASS information 
   uwbpark@uw.edu
   425-352-3369
   10909 NE 185th Street, Bothell, WA 98011
   
   UW Tacoma
   U-PASS information 
   transit@uw.edu
   253-692-5660
   
   HMC Parking and Commuter Services
   HMCPark@uw.edu
   206-744-3254
   Office 1CT-153
   Monday, Thursday, Friday, 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
   Tuesday, Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
   
   UWMC Northwest Parking Office nw-parking@uw.edu
   206-668-1200
   1550 N 115th ST, B-120
   Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.

    

6. I have been paying for a U-PASS with payroll deduction, and now I am eligible for a fully subsidized U-PASS. Will my payroll deduction automatically cancel?
   If you are currently paying for an annual or quarterly U-PASS and are now eligible for the fully subsidized U-PASS on July 1, you do not have to take any action to stop payments. They will stop automatically with the pay period ending June 30, 2022. 
   
   If you become eligible for a fully subsidized U-PASS after July 1, and previously paid for a U-PASS through payroll deduction, your payroll deductions will NOT cease automatically. You MUST contact your campus Transportation Services office to cancel your U-PASS payments through payroll deduction.

General

1. What if I am not interested in a fully subsidized U-PASS? My position or personal responsibilities don’t make transit a viable option for me to get to work.
   If the fully subsidized U-PASS benefit can’t be used for your work commute, you are still eligible for other benefits of the U-PASS including full vanpool care coverage. You can find an overview of all the U-PASS benefits at: https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/transit/u-pass. 
    
2. I used to get a gratis U-PASS with my commuter product. Why can’t I still get it in addition to my fully subsidized U-PASS?
   The U-PASS is tied to your Husky Card, so each employee only gets one U-PASS, regardless of how it’s paid for. The gratis U-PASS was originally included with some parking products to make it easy for employees to try out transit or use it on an occasional basis. The fully subsidized U-PASS makes that even easier for those employees who qualify for it.
    
3. I’m paying for my U-PASS and am not eligible for the fully subsidized one. Are my fees going to someone else’s fully subsidized U-PASS?
   No, the fully subsidized U-PASS is an employee benefit paid for by University central funds. Fees paid by employees are used to reimburse the transit agencies for rides that opt-in U-PASS holders take.
    
4. What if I do not have a Husky Card or possess an old one? You will need to get a Husky Card or get an updated Husky Card. For more information, please see the email communication from Tuesday, June 22, linked below:
   • Get a Husky Card for your fully subsidized U-PASS
   • Get an updated Husky Card for your fully subsidized U-PASS
      
5. My card is damaged and my U-PASS doesn’t work. What do I need to do? 

   You will need to get a new Husky Card from the Husky Card office at your campus. It is important to protect your Husky Card and the U-PASS RFID chip from damage. We encourage you to follow these tips to protect your Husky Card and U-PASS:

   • Do not bend your Husky Card.
   • Do not punch a hole anywhere in your Husky Card.
   • Keep your Husky Card in a protective holder. Scratches to the magnetic strip and RFID chip can damage your card. Accessories to protect your card can be purchased at the Husky Card Account & ID Center.
   • Keep your Husky Card away from all magnets and cell phones.