FREE UTA Premium Transit Pass

How do I get a pass? Beginning August 25, 2008, UTA Premium Transit Passes are available for FREE to any Westminster College student, faculty, or staff who will commit to using alternative transportation at least four days per month. Instead of a separate UTA pass card, all NEW Westminster ID cards issued after 8/25/08 can be activated to work as a UTA Ed Pass. To get or activate a new Westminster ID card, please visit the front desk in the Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center.

Can I use my pass to ride TRAX and/or FrontRunner for free?
Yes. Westminster chose to upgrade to a premium UTA pass, so your activated Westminster ID will allow you to ride all UTA buses, TRAX, FrontRunner commuter rail, and express buses. The pass is NOT good on the ski buses.

Can I use my pass to ride the ski buses for free?
No, the pass is not an acceptable form of payment for any local ski bus services.

How do I figure out how which bus to take and when? UTA's website www.rideuta.com has an online Trip Planner. Just enter your starting and endling locations and time and it will generate your route options. You can also pick up maps and schedules at the Concierge Desk in Shaw.

Which UTA routes stop at campus?  UTA route 220 stops on 1300 East at campus and connects to the FrontRunner downtown and Highland Drive to the south.  Route 17 stops on campus along 1700 South and runs between the 2100 South Trax station and the University of Utah.  Find other nearby routes online at www.rideuta.com.

Where can I get a transit schedule/map?  These are available at the Concierge Desk in Shaw Student Center or online at www.rideuta.com.

When does the new pass expire?
All new activated Westminster ID cards will be good from August 25, 2008 through September 14, 2009.

I am a returning student, faculty, or staff.  Do I have to pay for the new ID card?  No.  You will be issued one new, UTA capable Westminster ID card for free.  If you lose it an need a replacement, you will have the pay the replacement card fee. 

Can I continue to use last year’s pass?
Your UTA Ed Pass issued prior to August 25, 2008 is good until September 15, 2008. You may continue to use that pass until then. Beginning September 15, 2008 you will need to have a new Westminster ID card which has been activated for use as a UTA pass.

Why are we changing from the old system?
Beginning this winter, UTA will be switching to an electronic tap-on/tap-off system. The new system requires cards with a microchip that will be tapped on a sensor when boarding and exiting any UTA vehicle. The old UTA Ed Passes and old Westminster ID cards do not have this capability. All new Westminster ID cards will have the microchip, however, they must be activated at the HWAC desk or Cashier’s Window before they can be used. The new system will also allow Westminster to collect better data on ridership and emissions avoided.

How do I use my new pass until the new Tap-on/Tap-off system goes live?
UTA will begin testing the new tap-on/tap-off system sometime in November, and it will be fully operational by January 1, 2009. Until that time, your new Westminster ID (with the UTA logo on the back) can be shown when boarding buses or by request on TRAX and FrontRunner. Beginning in January 2009, your new Westminster ID must have been activated in HWAC or at the Cashier’s Window in order to work on all UTA vehicles.

How do I get my new Westminster ID card activated as a UTA pass?
You can activate your new Westminster ID card so that it will work as a premium UTA pass by visiting the front desk in HWAC or the Cashier’s Window in Bamberger Hall. You will need to sign a commitment to using alternative transportation at least four weekdays per month OR pay $20.

What if I don’t chose to sign the alternative transportation commitment? Can I still get a pass?
Yes, for a $20 fee. The College has chosen to provide free passes as an incentive for using alternative transportation. This is one method to help Westminster reduce its parking pressure and greenhouse gas emissions.

Will UTA have access to my personal information?
No. Other than being able to identify you has a Westminster pass holder, UTA will not be able to track you or your travels.

What if I lose my activated Westminster ID?
Please notify staff at the HWAC desk as soon as possible. You will need to pay for a replacement ID and reactivate the UTA pass feature.