PLEASE NOTE: You have to have a physical card to begin this process; if you don’t have one yet, please visit our office in the McCarthy Structure during normal business hours (M-F, 8:30-3:00).
The Spring 2026 U-Pass program application process is now fully automated, and available online here! Once the form is completed, students will receive a system-generated email confirming their information was received, and directing them to the final steps to complete the process.
We expect this new automated process will cut down on application processing time significantly. If you have any questions, please contact the Rideshare team directly at tsubsidy@usc.edu.
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GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
USC Transportation partners with LA Metro to offer the U-Pass program every semester — it is available to ALL current USC students (both Graduate students and Undergraduates), and is available at no additional cost (the cost of the program is included in the Transportation Fee being charged to all registered students at USC).
The U-Pass allows USC students unlimited rides on LA Metro’s rail and bus lines for any given semester. You DO have to re-register every semester in which you want one, but you DO NOT need a new card every time – if you already have a U-Pass issued by our office from a previous semester, you should choose the “RENEWAL” option during the purchasing process. If you have lost your card, you need to get a new one from our office in the McCarthy Structure at UPC during normal business hours (M-F, 8:30-3:00), and then return to this site to activate it.
Once you submit your U-Pass application, you will immediately receive an automated email confirming the next steps you need to follow to activate your pass for Spring 2026.
If you need help or have any questions about the program, please contact USC Transportation’s Rideshare Coordinator via email at tsubsidy@usc.edu.
The U-Pass usually looks like this (below), although other designs may also be used, and is valid for travel on ALL LA Metro bus and rail lines, as well as select partner agencies (see list below).
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.
- LADOT – DASH buses only. 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
- Gardena Transit
- Long Beach Transit
- Foothill Transit (excluding commuter express lines: 490, 493, 495, 498, 499, 699)
The pass is not valid on any other services, such as Metrolink, Amtrak, and LAX FlyAway.
If you need help or have any questions about the program, please contact USC Transportation’s Rideshare Coordinator via email at tsubsidy@usc.edu.