How And When To Use Your Husky Card On Buses

The Husky Card is a service provided by the University of Washington for its students. It offers a range of benefits, including acting as a library card, providing access to residence halls, and serving as a bus pass. The U-PASS, or Universal Student U-PASS, is automatically included in the Service & Activities Fee (SAF) for most students, allowing them unlimited rides on regional buses, commuter trains, light rail, and water taxis. While there is some variation in experiences, with some students reporting that their cards worked immediately, and others stating that they had to wait a day or two, the University states that the U-PASS will be activated on the Husky Card a week before the quarter starts.

The Husky Card is a UW library card and can be used to access the campus library

The Husky Card is a multi-purpose tool for students at the University of Washington. One of its primary functions is to serve as a UW library card. Students can use their Husky Card to check out books, materials, and equipment from the Campus Library. This makes it a vital tool for students who need access to a variety of resources for their academic pursuits.

The Husky Card is more than just a library card, however. It also doubles as a U-PASS, which provides unlimited rides on a variety of transportation options, including regional buses, commuter trains, light rail, and water taxis. The U-PASS is loaded directly onto the Husky Card, so students can easily tap or swipe their card when boarding. This feature is especially useful for students who rely on public transportation to get to and from campus. The U-PASS also offers discounts on vanpools, carpools, and other special offers, making it a cost-effective option for students.

In addition to its library and transportation functions, the Husky Card also acts as a key for accessing assigned areas on campus. For residence hall students, it is particularly important as it provides access to their residence buildings. This means that students only need to carry one card to access all the essential services and areas on campus.

The Husky Card is a valuable tool for any UW student, offering a range of benefits and conveniences. By serving as a library card, transportation pass, and access key, it simplifies the student experience and provides easy access to the resources and services that students need to succeed in their academic endeavours. So, whether they are checking out books from the library or tapping onto a bus, the Husky Card is an essential part of campus life.

There may be some initial delays or technical issues with the Husky Card's bus functionality. In some cases, new students may experience a delay in their Husky Card being activated for bus use, which can usually be resolved by contacting UW Transportation Services. Additionally, there have been instances where the card readers on buses have not been updated, resulting in cards being declined. However, bus drivers are often understanding and will wave students through without issue.

The U-PASS is a bus pass that provides unlimited rides on regional buses

The U-PASS is available to all students who pay the Service & Activities Fee, with a mandatory quarterly fee appearing on tuition statements. The cost of the U-PASS is $127 per quarter, and it can be purchased or cancelled online through a student's MyUW account. The fee will be added to or removed from the student's tuition bill. For those purchasing after the 7th calendar day of the quarter, an email to the Cashier’s Office is necessary to request activation. The U-PASS will be ready for use within 12 to 24 hours after purchase or a week before the quarter starts.

It is important to note that the U-PASS is non-transferable and is for personal use only. Bus drivers and fare inspectors can confiscate a Husky Card that does not belong to the user. To protect the U-PASS, users are advised not to bend their Husky Card, punch holes in it, or expose it to magnets or cell phones. Scratches to the magnetic strip and RFID chip can also damage the card.

In addition to unlimited bus rides, the U-PASS provides access to other transportation options. It covers commuter trains, such as the Link light rail and Sounder trains, as well as water taxis and vanpools. The U-PASS also includes full fare coverage on regional paratransit services for eligible members and King County Metro’s on-demand ride services.

The University of Washington's U-PASS program offers a convenient and cost-effective way for students and staff to utilise various transportation options in the region. By providing unlimited rides on regional buses and other transit services, the U-PASS helps users easily navigate their daily commutes and travel needs.

The U-PASS is valid on King County Metro Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, and more

The U-PASS is a highly convenient feature of the Husky Card, offering unlimited rides on a variety of transit services. It is valid on King County Metro Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, and more. This means that students, faculty, and staff at UW Bothell and Cascadia College can use their Husky Card to tap and ride, without the need for additional tickets or cards.

The U-PASS covers a wide range of transport options, making it a versatile and valuable inclusion with the Husky Card. In addition to King County Metro Transit, Community Transit, and Pierce Transit, it is also valid on Kitsap Transit, Everett Transit, and Sound Transit. This includes their regional buses, Link light rail, and Sounder trains, providing comprehensive coverage for users.

The U-PASS also provides full fare coverage on several other services, enhancing its utility further. This includes the King County Water Taxis, Kitsap Fast Ferries, Seattle Streetcar, and Seattle Monorail. Moreover, it covers regional paratransit services for eligible members and King County Metro's on-demand ride service, Via to Transit.

The U-PASS is not just limited to the above-mentioned services. It also offers vanpool and vanshare fare credits and a low membership rate for Zipcar. Additionally, it provides discounts and special offers on transportation-related products, making it an even more attractive option for those looking to get around the region.

The U-PASS is easy to use and can be tapped on ORCA card readers, which are found at the front of buses or mounted on walls or poles at Link, Sounder, or Swift stations. It is a convenient, all-in-one solution for students, faculty, and staff, simplifying their commute and providing access to a range of transportation options with a single tap.

The Husky Card must be tapped on a bus or train card reader to activate it

The Husky Card is a convenient way for University of Washington students to access a variety of services, including transportation. The U-PASS, which is included in the Service & Activities Fee for most students, provides unlimited rides on regional buses, commuter trains, light rail, and water taxis, as well as discounts on vanpools and carpools.

To activate your Husky Card for the first time, you must tap it on a bus or train card reader within 60 days of receiving it. This initial tap will activate your U-PASS, allowing you to start using it for transportation. The card reader can be found at the front of buses or mounted on a wall or pole at Link, Sounder, or Swift stations. It is important to note that new U-PASS holders need to tap their cards within 60 days for activation, otherwise, their card will become inactive.

Once your Husky Card is activated, you can use it to tap onto buses and trains for seamless travel. Simply tap your card on the reader once when boarding a bus. For Sound Transit's Link light rail and Sounder commuter trains, remember to tap the reader once before entering the train to provide proof of payment, and again at your destination station as you exit.

It is worth noting that the U-PASS will become inactive under certain circumstances, such as changing to a job classification that is not eligible for a fully-subsidized U-PASS or leaving the University. In such cases, you may need to reactivate your card online or purchase a new pass.

Additionally, it is important to protect your Husky Card and the U-PASS RFID chip from damage. Avoid bending or punching holes in your card, and consider using a protective holder to prevent scratches to the magnetic strip and RFID chip.

The U-PASS costs $127 per quarter and can be purchased online

Husky Cards are a convenient way for students at the University of Washington to access a range of campus services, including transportation. The U-PASS is an optional service that students can purchase to access unlimited rides on various transit services in the region. The cost of the U-PASS is $127 per quarter, and it offers excellent value for those who frequently use public transportation.

The U-PASS can be purchased online through the MyUW portal prior to the 7th calendar day of each academic quarter. To do this, students log in to their MyUW account, click on "Register & SNL Codes", then "Insurance and Optional charges", and finally select the option to opt-in to the U-PASS. The $127 fee will be added to the student's tuition bill. If purchasing after the 7th day of the quarter, students need to email the Cashier's Office to request activation.

The U-PASS is valid for unlimited rides on several transit services, including King County Metro Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, Everett Transit, and Sound Transit. This includes regional buses, Link light rail, Sounder trains, and more. The pass also covers full fares on some ferry and streetcar services, as well as offering discounts and special offers on transportation-related products.

It's important to note that the U-PASS is not a standard ORCA card. While it uses the ORCA system to process payments, it does not provide access to the full range of ORCA services. The U-PASS cannot be registered in the ORCA system, and additional ORCA products cannot be added to the card.

In terms of activation, the U-PASS will be ready for use within 12 to 24 hours after purchase or up to a week before the quarter starts. To use the U-PASS, students simply tap it on an ORCA card reader when boarding a bus or at the relevant reader in transit stations.

Frequently asked questions