HISTORY

On June 30, 1999, DePaul University participated in CTA’s U-Pass pilot program for undergraduate, Law, and some graduate students. The CTA U-Pass provides college students unlimited rides on CTA-operated bus and rail lines 24 hours per day and seven days per week. The pass is NOT valid during winter break. The U-Pass is valid over Spring Break. U-Passes will work through the date printed on the U-Pass as long as the student meets the requirements.

On August 5, 2004, the Regional Transit Authority Board approved an agreement for Pace buses to accept all CTA fare cards, including the U-Pass. Per the agreement, Pace would accept the CTA passes on its regular bus services only, not on subscription bus or vanpool services. This agreement had planned to run from September 2004 through December 2005, but ran through 2008. As of January 1st, 2009, PACE no longer accepted CTA Passes, including the U-Pass.

On June 1, 2005, DePaul renewed the CTA’s U-Pass agreement through Summer 2010.

U-Pass Milestones:

• June 1999 – DePaul University participated in CTA’s U-Pass program
• June 2005 – DePaul University renewed CTA’s U-Pass agreement
• Summer 2007 – Summer U-Pass was piloted
• April 2008 - U-Pass Committee was created to improve the U-Pass program
• October 2008 – Graduate students from Kellstadt and LA&S were surveyed to participate in U-Pass program
• March 2009 – Launched new website
• Summer 2009 – Summer U-Pass implemented

Recent Survey Results:

In Spring 2008, the College of Communication surveyed graduate students and 85% supported the CTA&s U-Pass.

In Fall 2008, the College of Commerce's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences surveyed graduate students and 91% supported the CTA's U-Pass