The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board voted to approve a major expansion and modernization of the agency’s University Pass (U-Pass) program, an initiative designed to give more college students affordable, unlimited access to transit while supporting ridership growth and institutional partnerships.
Approved as part of WMATA’s Strategic Transformation Plan, the expanded program introduces new pricing and participation options that make it easier for colleges and universities to join and for more students, such as part-time, community college, and graduate students, to benefit from accessible transportation.
“U-Pass is a win for students, universities, and the entire region and another example of continuous improvements for our customers,” said Metro GM/CEO Randy Clarke. “By expanding the program and introducing flexible options, we’re opening the door for more institutions to participate, giving more students affordable, reliable access to transit every day.”
WMATA’s U-Pass Program
Since launching as a pilot in 2016 with American University, U-Pass has grown into a regional mobility program serving more than 35,000 students and generating roughly 4.6 million trips in fiscal year 2025.
Regionwide, 43 colleges and universities are eligible to participate, representing a potential reach of about 360,000 students across the National Capital region.
The new program changes will be implemented during the fall 2026-2027 school year.
New Program Options
Currently, the daily transit cost for participating students is about $1 with U-Pass, compared with roughly $7.20 in standard daily fares for students not using U-Pass.
The updated U-Pass structure provides colleges and universities with flexible participation models:
- Universal Model: Retains the current base rate of about $1 per day for unlimited rides when 100% of eligible students participate.
- Opt-In Model: Offers an alternative structure of about $1.75 per day with a minimum student participation level of 33%.
- Customizable Terms: Institutions can customize enrollment eligibility, such as part-time, community college, undergraduate, and graduate, and adjust annually to fit campus needs. The new program would also tie future respective daily rates to board-approved fare increases.
WMATA’s growth strategy aims to expand eligibility beyond current parameters and attract additional educational partners. Future opportunities under evaluation include extending access to part-time students, faculty, and staff, as well as introducing more flexible pricing models for institutions.
The initiative also aligns with the agency’s broader goals of improving service excellence, strengthening financial sustainability, and expanding regional partnerships, a focus of DMVMoves.
