Utah Students Riding Trax: Free Or Not?

The University of Utah has a partnership with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to offer students, staff, and faculty free rides on the majority of UTA services, including TRAX. Students can use their UCard as a transit pass to tap on and off at card readers on buses and train platforms when boarding and exiting. This pass is automatically activated if the student is enrolled in the current semester, while incoming freshmen will have the pass loaded on their mobile device as a flash pass.

University of Utah students ride TRAX for free with their UCard

The University of Utah has a partnership with The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to offer students, staff, and faculty free rides on the majority of UTA services, including TRAX. This means that University of Utah students can ride TRAX for free with their UCard, which serves as their transit pass.

To use their UCard as a transit pass, students must be enrolled in the current semester. For incoming freshmen, the pass will be loaded onto their mobile device as a flash pass. The UCard is automatically activated when a student is enrolled in the current semester.

When riding TRAX, students need to tap their UCard on the card reader on or near the platform when they board and exit. This process is similar to using a bus, with electronic card readers located at all doors on buses and near the entrances to TRAX platforms. Tapping their UCard on the card reader serves as proof of fare payment and is an important part of the transit pass agreement between the university and UTA. While UTA does not track the movement of specific individuals, these taps help gather ridership data to adjust services and prove the benefit of the transit pass to the university.

It is important to note that the UCard must be used by the individual depicted on the card and is not transferable. UTA has the authority to confiscate passes and ID cards from those using them fraudulently.

The University of Utah's partnership with UTA provides a convenient and cost-effective transportation option for students, staff, and faculty, making it easier for them to commute and connect with others.

The UCard is automatically activated if you are enrolled in the current semester

The University of Utah has a partnership with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to offer students, staff, and faculty free rides on most UTA services. This includes the TRAX light rail system, which serves Salt Lake County with the Blue, Red, and Green Lines.

The UCard, which is the University of Utah's student ID, functions as a transit pass for currently enrolled students. The UCard is automatically activated if you are enrolled in the current semester, and incoming freshmen will have the pass loaded onto their mobile device as a flash pass. The UCard must be tapped on card readers when boarding and exiting buses and trains, including TRAX. This is to show proof of fare and to help UTA gather ridership data to adjust its services accordingly. While the UCard makes rides free for students at the point of use, their tuition has already paid for the pass.

To board a TRAX train, you must first purchase a ticket at a ticket machine or use your UCard on the electronic card reader. Then, locate the correct platform by looking for the electronic signs that indicate which side of the platform the train will arrive on and the approximate arrival time. Stand behind the yellow strip on the platform until the train comes to a complete stop. Determine if this is the correct train by looking for signs on the front of the train that indicate the line and destination. Board the train, being sure to allow others to exit first. Remember to tap your UCard on the card reader when boarding and exiting the platform.

Students with a mobile UCard will need to open their mobile wallet to show their credentials

The University of Utah has a partnership with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to offer students, staff, and faculty free and unlimited access to the majority of UTA services. This includes the TRAX light rail system, which serves Salt Lake County with the Blue, Red, and Green Lines.

The UCard, which is the standard University of Utah ID card, doubles as a transit pass for students, staff, and faculty. This means that currently enrolled students can ride TRAX trains for free. For incoming freshmen, the pass will be loaded onto their mobile device as a flash pass.

Students with a mobile UCard will need to open their mobile wallet (Apple) or the relevant app (Android) to show their credentials as a flash pass to operators and inspectors as proof of fare. It is important to note that this is different from the physical UCard, which requires tapping on a card reader to register a green light as proof of fare.

When riding TRAX, students with a mobile UCard must open their mobile wallet or app and display their flash pass to fare inspectors. This is necessary to prove that they have a valid fare, as UTA officers will issue citations for failure to provide proof of payment. While the UCard already includes the transit pass, it is recommended that students get into the habit of tapping their card on the card readers at TRAX stations when boarding and exiting. This is because the tap data is used to show that the transit pass is a valuable benefit for students, and it helps UTA adjust its services to better meet riders' needs.

In summary, University of Utah students with a mobile UCard need to open their mobile wallet or app to display their flash pass when riding TRAX. This serves as proof of fare and helps UTA collect valuable data for service improvements.

Students with a physical UCard will need to tap their card on validators and get a green light

Students at the University of Utah can ride TRAX for free, thanks to a partnership between the university and the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). This allows students, staff, and faculty to access UTA services at no cost. The UCard, which is the university ID, acts as a transit pass. It is automatically activated if the student is enrolled in the current semester.

For students with a physical UCard, it is necessary to tap their card on validators and get a green light as proof of fare. This process is similar to that of buses, with card readers located at TRAX stations when boarding and exiting. This step is an important part of the transit pass agreement between the university and UTA. While it does not track individuals' movements, it does help gather data on ridership and the number of students using transit passes. This data is used to adjust services and demonstrate the value of the transit pass benefit.

The process of tapping the card is straightforward. When boarding or exiting TRAX, students should locate the card readers on or near the platform and tap their UCard. This action will be indicated by a green light, confirming that the card has been validated. It is essential to remember to tap the card both when entering and leaving the platform.

It is worth noting that the UCard must belong to the individual using it and is not transferable. UTA has the authority to confiscate passes and ID cards if they are used fraudulently. While some students have reported not being checked regularly, it is still important to follow the proper procedures and have a valid pass.

By following these instructions, University of Utah students can take advantage of the free TRAX rides offered through the university's partnership with UTA. This convenient and cost-effective option provides easy access to transportation for students, enhancing their overall university experience.

The UCard must be tapped on and off at the station when boarding and exiting TRAX

The University of Utah has a partnership with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to offer students, staff, and faculty free rides on the majority of UTA services. This includes the TRAX light rail system, which has four stations on campus: South Campus Station, Fort Douglas Station, Medical Center Station, and a fourth station that is not named in the source.

To ride the TRAX for free, students must have a UCard, which serves as their transit pass. The UCard is automatically activated if the student is enrolled in the current semester. Incoming freshmen will have the pass loaded onto their mobile device as a flash pass. Students with a physical UCard will be required to tap their card on validators and get a green light to show proof of fare.

It is important to tap your UCard on and off at the station when boarding and exiting TRAX. This is part of the transit pass agreement between the university and UTA. Tapping your card shows that valid fare has been paid, tells UTA how many people are riding which routes, and gathers ridership data so UTA can adjust its services to meet riders' needs. It also proves to the university that the transit pass is a beneficial offering for students and staff. As the rider, you are responsible for tapping on and off when you board and exit.

To use your UCard, tap your ID on the card reader on or near the platform when you board TRAX. Tap again when you exit the platform at your destination. Card readers are located at all doors on TRAX and near the entrances to the platforms.

Frequently asked questions