UC*METRO

UC*Metro is the name of the partnership, funded in part by UC Student Government and the university administration, that provides discounted rides on Metro buses, at anytime, on any Metro route for UC students, faculty and staff.  The contract between UC and Metro would have ended on April 30, 2009, however, it was extended and modified twice by mutual agreement.  As of September 2009, UC and Metro have amended the term of the contract to include the 2009-2010 Academic Year beginning September 23, 2009 and ending September 22, 2010. 

Significant changes have taken place in the Metro/UC Fare Card Program, effective autumn term 2009, and it is important that all Metro/UC Fare Card Holders read and understand these changes, as outlined below:

1. Upon entering the bus, all Fare Card holders must present a valid UC photo ID to the bus driver, in addition to swiping their valid Metro/UC Fare Card, and paying the zone charge payment when applicable (see Item B). 
   Note:  Exact fare is required on buses; no change or refunds are given.
   
   
2. The Metro/UC Fare Cards are only valid for full fare within Metro Zone 1 (City of Cincinnati).  Travel outside Zone 1 will require the UC student or employee to pay the difference between the Zone 1 fare and the applicable Zone fare when boarding the bus, as shown:
   

   Zone 1	No fare
   Zone 2	$0.75 additional fare per ride
   Zone 3 (Clermont/Harrison)	$1.50 additional fare per ride
   Zone 4 (Butler County)	$2.00 additional fare per ride
   Zone 5 (Warren County)	$2.75 additional fare per ride

   Note:  1.) Exact fare is required on buses; no change or refunds are given.  2.) The amount of the additional fare payment will increase if fares increase during the academic year. 3.) Please read "How are zone fare charges calculated?" below, under Frequently Asked Questions, Question 1.
   
   
3. Effective with the issuance of fall quarter 2009 Metro/UC Fare Cards, Fare Card holders will be required to pay the following per-term charge online during registration by using a major credit card or debit card:
   

   Term	Student Charge	Employee Charge	Cards Valid
   Fall 2009	$40	$120	Sept. 23, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010
   Winter 2010	$40	$120	Jan. 4, 2010 through March 28, 2010
   Spring 2010	$40	$120	March 29, 2010 through June 20, 2010
   Summer 2010	$40	$120	June 21, 2010 through Sept. 21, 2010

   
   
4. UC students and employees who use transportation through Access must now apply online for a Metro/UC Fare Card.  Transportation through Access will require riders to show a valid UC photo ID to the Access driver, and their UC/Metro Fare Card, in addition to presenting the "yellow" Access ride ticket and their Access ID, and paying any additional Zone charges, if applicable.  Please click here to read about the new procedures.  The UC Student and Employee Disability Services Offices at UC Uptown Campus, UC Raymond Walters College and UC Clermont College may also assist you in completing these online requirements.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE METRO/UC FARE CARDS:

1. How do I acquire a Metro/UC Fare Card? All currently enrolled students, and current employees, must REGISTER each academic term at the Metro/UC Fare Card web site in order to receive their special Metro/UC Fare Cards. 
2. How long will my Metro/UC Fare Card be valid?  All Fare Cards are valid as of the first day of the academic term for which they are issued and expire on the first day of the following academic term. 
3. Are there any other non-UC programs that help to provide transportation assistance?  Yes. Please click HERE to read about them.
4. Is there another way to register and/or pay for a Metro/UC Fare Card, such as by telephone or in person?  No.  All registrations must occur at the Metro/UC Fare Card secure web site.  All Fare Card payments must be made by major credit card or debit card at the Metro/UC Fare Card secure web site.
   
5. How can I pay for the Metro/UC Fare Card if I don't have a personal credit card or debit card?  At the moment, there are two options available for individuals to pay for a UC/Metro Registration Fee who don’t have personal credit cards or a personal debit card. 
   • Pre-paid Debit Card Option:   Individuals can purchase pre-paid debit cards at local banks; National City and PNC are two that do this.  Walgreen’s also sells pre-paid debit cards.  There may be a small fee associated with the card. 
   • Pay your fee to a relative or friend and use their credit or debit card to charge the fee.
   • All registrations must be completed online; the above options provide methods for individuals to use the online system and pay the required fee.  There may be other options in the future, but for the time being this is what is currently available.
6. What is the cost of a one-way, one-zone ride on the Metro without using the Metro/UC Fare Card?  Currently, a one-way ride in Zone 1 is $1.50.  To view other Metro fare information, please go to:  http://www.go-metro.com/fares.html.
7. How are zone charges calculated?  When a UC/Metro Fare Card holder enters a Metro bus and swipes his/her Fare Card, the card reader/farebox will display the applicable zone charge the rider must pay.  At that point, the Fare Card holder should deposit the exact change for the additional zone charge.  
8. Who is eligible to receive a Metro/UC Fare Card? In general, Students are eligible if they are enrolled in the current UC academic quarter/term, and UC Employees are also eligible. Students who are in their co-op term are also eligible to apply for the card. 
9. How do I know if I am eligible?  Go to the Metro/UC Fare Card registration site and enter your username and password.  If you are not eligible, you will know right away, as the system will not allow you to enter the registration site.
10. How do I use the Metro/UC Fare Card?  All Fare Card holders must present their UC photo ID card and must swipe their Metro/UC Fare Card in the card reader on the bus.  Both items are required by Metro to prove ridership eligibility. If a Zone Charge is applicable, the Fare Card holder must pay it when the driver asks for it.  Note:  Exact fare is required on buses; no change or refunds are given. Special procedures are required for Access transportation-- Please click here to read about the new Access procedures. 
11. How long does it take to receive a Metro/UC Fare Card? Once you have registered, the special Metro/UC Fare Card will be mailed to the address you provide within five to seven days.  The accuracy of your address is very important.  Please be aware that postal holidays will affect the delivery of mail. If you do not receive your card within this period, please contact:  Marie.Sutthoff@uc.edu.  
12. What happens if I lose my Metro/UC Fare Card? There is a charge for replacement of a Metro/UC Fare Card (see below) which must be paid online by credit card at the Metro/UC Fare Card secure web site.  When you are issued a replacement card, the card it replaces will be deactivated by Metro. 

Academic Term 2009-2010 Replacement Card Charges

          Student Replacement Charge:  $50        Employee Replacement Charge:  $120

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FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROGRAM, please contact Marie Sutthoff, UC Facilities Management, by email at Marie.Sutthoff@uc.edu or telephone 513-556-4319.

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For information on Metro routes and bus schedules, call Metro at 513-621-4455, weekdays from 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays  8:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon; or check www.go-metro.com.  You may also email Metro at: planmytrip@go-metro.com for trip specific information.

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Popular destinations . . . . .served by Metro

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Metro routes serving UC’s Uptown campus and the Uptown:

• Route 17 Seven Hills, Mt. Healthy, Northgate, Mt. Airy, North College Hill, College Hill, Northside
• Route 18 Northgate, White Oak, Monfort Heights, Mt. Airy
• Route 19 Colerain Ave. corridor from Northgate
• Route 24 Anderson Township, Mt. Washington, Mt. Lookout, Hyde Park
• Route 31 Evanston, Walnut Hills, West End, Lower Price Hill
• Route 39 Western Hills Plaza, Cheviot, Westwood
• Route 51 Oakley, Hyde Park, Norwood, Evanston, Avondale
• Route 75X Amelia, Cherry Grove, Anderson Township
• Route 78 Tri-County, Springdale, Lincoln Heights, Woodlawn, Lockland, Wyoming, Hartwell, Elmwood Place, Bond Hill, St. Bernard

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• REGISTRATION SITE FOR AUTUMN TERM 2009 UC/METRO FARE CARD : https://www.uc.edu/af/facilities/metro/

• Clermont County's Clermont Transportation Connection Accepts Metro/UC Fare Card - Learn More Here
  
  
• Students and Employees who apply for a Metro/UC Fare Card will receive their card by mail within about five to seven business days.
  
  
• Fare Card Program is continued for Academic Year 2009/2010. 
  
  
• Questions?  Email: Marie.Sutthoff@uc.edu or telephone: 513-556-4319.