In cooperation with the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), UW–Milwaukee developed the student bus pass program, or U-PASS. Qualifying students can ride any route free of charge using either:
- UMO Mobile App: iOS or Android device
- WisGo Card for students who do not have a smartphone or have issues using a smartphone.
There are 7 local bus routes and 2 express bus routes in Milwaukee County that take passengers directly to the University.
There are no upcoming events.
How Do I use a U-PASS
Students must redeem a benefit code each semester to activate their U-PASS. Please see our UPASS Activation Guide for more information.
Who Qualifies for a U-PASS?
To be eligible, you must be a student paying segregated fees, which is usually defined as: a student taking at least one class for credit on the main (Kenwood) campus (not online).
The cost of the U-PASS is included in your tuition as part of the student segregated fees*.
*Segregated fees are an additional fee outside of tuition that is used for various activities on campus. Students taking a course on campus traditionally pay segregated fees. Students auditing courses or are taking only online courses do not pay segregated fees and will not be eligible for a U-PASS.
Note: Students may have their UPASSes shut off during the semester if they:
- Withdraw from a semester or school
- Transfer to all online classes
- Study Abroad
Students may contact Transportation Services if you feel that their UPASS was deactivated incorrectly.
U-PASS Contract Periods
If you are enrolled in classes, you receive a UPASS for each semester you are enrolled in classes. Dates are approximate and subject to change. UPASSes generally start a couple weeks ahead of the first day of classes.
- Fall Semester: September 1 to January 31 of the following year.
- Spring Semester: January 1 to May 31.
- Summer Semester: June 1 to August 31.
There is no separate benefit code for WinteriM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Transportation Services at 414-229-4000 or uwmpark@uwm.edu to get assistance migrating your benefit code to a new phone.
Misplace your U-PASS card? Switch to the UMO app for free! Call Milwaukee County Transit System Customer Service at 414-937-3218. Simply provide the username for your TouchPass account and the new username for the UMO Mobility app
If a student loses the WisGo card issued to them, there is a $25.00 replacement fee, and Transportation Services can only issue one replacement U-PASS to each student per semester. Students must come to the Transportation Services office with their student ID in order to get a replacement.
On receiving the new card from UWM, you must call Milwaukee County Transit System Customer Service at 414-937-3218. You will need to provide the lost card number or your Touchpass username as well as the new card number. The MCTS customer service rep will deactivate the card and activate the new one. You do NOT need a new benefit code. Your existing benefit code will remain active as usual, on the new card.
Please go the U-PASS Activation Request Form and click submit. You will receive an email stating whether you have an active UPASS; you will also be provided with a benefit code that you can use to activate your UMO Mobility app account or WisGo UPASS card. You have to log into your Microsoft 365 account (same as your school email) to view this form. You will receive a new benefit code each semester you are at UWM, which must be redeemed to use your UPASS.
Please email uwmpark@uwm.edu with your full name, student ID, and UWM email address. If you have a WisGo card, please provide the WisGo card number (a photo of the back side would be sufficient).
Wheelchair–accessible buses are available. For detailed Milwaukee County Bus timetable information visit MCTS on the web at www.ridemcts.com/Transit Plus call the MCTS BusLine at (414) 344-6711. Consult our uwm.edu/transportation/wheelchairaccessiblebusing page for additional information regarding accessibility.
The U-PASS is valid on all Waukesha Metro Transit bus routes (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,& 15) starting 9/11/23 and MCTS Routes too.