PLEASE NOTE: You have to have a physical card issued by USC to begin this process; if you don’t have one yet, please visit one of our offices during normal business hours to get one. At UPC: McCarthy Structure (M-F, 8:30-3:00); at HSC: KAM-120 (M-F, 7:30-4:00)
Please review this How To Activate your Metro U-Pass Tutorial (7:31 long) for a video walk-through of the process described below.
The Summer 2026 program runs through August 23; the Fall 2026 program starts on August 17. You cannot use the Fall code until then.
The U-Pass program application process is now fully automated; you can begin online by completing this U-Pass form. Once the form is submitted, you will receive a system-generated automatic email confirming your information was received, and directing you to the next steps to complete the registration process. These next steps include:
- Clicking on the LA Metro link in the confirmation email you receive to visit their activation website
- Entering your 20 digit card number and the appropriate activation code (for Summer: SCSU26, for Fall: SCFA26)
- Checking the acknowledgement box on LA Metro’s form
- Clicking the “Submit” button
- Wait 24 hours, then go tap your card at any station kiosk (see IMPORTANT NOTE below)
IMPORTANT NOTE: As mentioned in the confirmation email, the final step is that you MUST TAP YOUR ACTIVATED CARD AT ANY LA METRO STATION or BUS WITHIN 14 DAYS TO LOCK IN THE ACTIVATION.
Hold it in place for a few seconds until the kiosk beeps.
Almost EVERY SINGLE ISSUE related to the U-Pass program is due to students not locking in their activation in a timely manner.
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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.
The U-Pass usually looks like this (below), although other designs may also be used. It 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 Buses.
If you need help or have any questions about the program, please contact USC Transportation’s Rideshare Coordinator via email at tsubsidy@usc.edu.