UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Applications for the 2021-22 RIDEpass reduced-fare mass transit pass program will be accepted beginning Monday, May 24, Penn State Transportation Services has announced.
The RIDEpass program provides access to all CATABUS routes to eligible University Park faculty, staff and graduate students. Transportation Services’ goal is to offer the RIDEpass program at the lowest possible cost to participants while also maintaining the program’s long-term viability. Transportation Services will continue to support RIDEpass by covering approximately 70% of the program costs. CATA currently offers mass transit passes for $86 per month following rate increases implemented in August 2020.
As decisions by the University on future RIDEpass rates are not expected until this fall, RIDEpass cards will be issued only on a semester basis this year. Passes available beginning June 1 will be valid through the end of the fall semester and passes available in December will be valid through the end of the spring semester. Fall semester rates will remain unchanged from the 2020-21 academic year at $21 per month. Rates for the spring RIDEpass will be announced during the fall semester.
Program eligibility requirements for the 2021-22 program year will remain the same. More information can be found by emailing ridepass@psu.edu or visiting the graduate student RIDEpass or employee RIDEpass pages at the Transportation Services website.