Undergraduate Students can enjoy free access on any bus or train operated by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. The program, known as U-Pass, short for “Universal Pass,” enables students to ride the RTA anywhere, at any time. A $47.50 activity fee is automatically billed each semester on their bursar account. Utilization of the U-Pass program is not limited to only University-related activities.
Important Notes:
- All undergraduate students have the U-pass fee applied for this program. No exceptions. Students must get a new U-pass sticker for both the fall and spring semesters.
- U-pass stickers must be placed to the opposite side of your photo on your CWRU ID.
- U-pass stickers will be issued to Undergraduate Students at the Student Services Center located on the first floor of Tinkham Veale University Center (11038 Bellflower Rd). The Student Services Center is open 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday.
How To Ride
Graduate and Professional students can enjoy access on any bus or train operated by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA). The program, Universal Pass (U-Pass), enables students to ride the RTA anywhere, at any time and is not limited to only University-related activities. This initiative is made available to students based on a negotiated fee of $65 which is automatically billed each semester to the students' bursar account.
Important Notes:
During the Spring 2024 semester, Graduate Student Council (GSC) worked with student government presidents from each school as well as GSC General Assembly representatives to organize the vote on the RTA U-Pass for public transportation. These student leaders voted for an “all-in” RTA pass for graduate and professional students (with a few exceptions).
As of Summer 2024, the Graduate Student Council negotiated to include Summer RTA passes free of charge for graduate and professional students in the latest RTA contract.
The “all-in” approach allows CWRU students to be charged a reduced price while providing unlimited access to public transportation in the Cleveland area. An RTA Transportation Fee totaling $65 will be automatically billed each semester in the 2024-2025 school year to a student’s financial account in the Student Information System (SIS).
For students assessed an RTA fee that are enrolled in an online degree program or believe their program meets this criterion, they may petition to waive the RTA fee each semester by completing the Campus Group form. The Fall 2024 semester form deadline was September 6, 2024. The Spring form must be completed by January 24th, 2025. Access Services will process the request in a timely manner and respond directly with the student.
If eligible, Graduate and Professional students may pick up the current semester's U-Pass from their school’s designated office. Additionally, an email communication from each school's designated office will provide details related to pick-up date and location. Students must be registered for classes before an RTA sticker can be issued. Please allow 24 hours after registration to pick up an RTA sticker. As per RTA contract requirements, designated university staff are responsible for placing the U-Pass sticker on the student’s Case ID card.
Frequently Asked Questions - Graduate and Professional Students
What is the RTA pass program?
The program, known as U-Pass, short for “Universal Pass,” enables students to ride the RTA anywhere, at any time. For graduate and professional students, the $65 fee is automatically billed each semester on a student’s financial account in the Student Information System (SIS).
When and where can I pick up the RTA pass sticker?
Graduate and professional students may pick up the RTA pass sticker from their school’s designated office. An email communication will be sent when the sticker is available for pickup with additional pickup information (such as date and location). RTA pass stickers are also available at the Student Access Services Center located in the Tinkham Veale University Center (the Tink).
I do not reside in the Cleveland area; can I waive the fee?
Graduate and professional students assessed an RTA fee that are enrolled in an online degree program or believe their program meets this criterion, may petition to waive the fee each semester by completing a Campus Group form. Fall Semester deadline was September 6, 2024. The Spring form must be completed by January 24th, 2025.
I am a part-time student; can I waive the fee?
Part-time graduate and professional students cannot waive the fee unless they are enrolled in an online degree program or believe their program meets this criterion. A petition to waive the fee each semester may be made by completing a Campus Group form. The deadline for Fall 2024 was September 6, 2024. The Spring form must be completed by January 24th, 2025.
I submitted a petition to waive the RTA fee; when will my request be reviewed?
Access Services will review requests in the order received and respond directly to the student in a timely manner. Once approved, a waiver will be posted to the student’s financial account in SIS within 3 business days. No cash refunds are issued by Access Services.
I am an employee, am I eligible for the RTA pass program for graduate and professional students?
Employees taking classes at CWRU and utilizing tuition benefits are not eligible for this RTA pass program. The $65 fee will be removed when the tuition waiver is posted to their SIS student financial account. Please visit the Access Services website for the monthly RTA pass program for faculty and staff.
Yes, RTA passes are now available for graduate and professional students during the summer semester.
How To Ride
All eligible faculty and staff (employed for at least 30 days) may purchase a monthly RTA pass via payroll deduction. This deduction is made with pre-tax dollars, giving employees a tax benefit of up to $200 per year.
Full-time employees earning less than $54,000 yearly, or part-time employees earning less than $27,000 yearly, are also eligible for 55% percent off the normal cost of an RTA pass when purchasing, with the University subsidizing the remaining 45%. All passes must be purchased at Access Services located in the lower level of Crawford Hall.