UC*Metro Program

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The UC  Metro University Discount Program offers discount transportation options for eligible enrolled UC students and UC employees for use when riding Metro regional buses or Access mini-buses. The program helps registered users beat high gas prices and parking hassles associated with commuting to school, work, athletic events, shopping and socializing.

UC Students and Employees Ride Free for Spring Semester 2026

UC is pleased to announce the extension of our partnership with Metro and The University Discount Program. Through this partnership, UC students and staff may ride Metro free of charge throughout the Spring semester.

How to Get Started

To take advantage of this benefit, new participants must complete Steps 1 and 2 below. If you have previously registered using your UC email address, you may proceed directly to Step 2.

  1. Download the Transit app Transit - the best app for buses and trains and create an account using your UC email address
  2. Register for UC’s University Discount Program.

How to get started with the Transit APP

For additional information on Metro routes and schedules, please visit www.go-metro.com.

Metro Routes Serving Uptown Campuses

Metro Service routes by bus number and name serving Uptown Main and Medical campuses
Utpwown Main  Uptown Medical
12: Madisonville - Uptown 12: Madisonville - Uptown
17: Seven Hills/Mt. Healthy/Mt. Airy 19: Colerain Ave. - Northgate
19: Colerain Ave. - Northgate 24: Anderson - Uptown
24: Anderson - Uptown 36: Price Hill - Norwood Crosstown
31: West End - Evanston 37: Western Hills - Martin Luther King - Oakley Crosstown
36: Price Hill - Norwood Crosstown 38: Glenway Crossing - Uptown
37: Western Hills - Martin Luther King - Oakley Crosstown 46: Avondale - Winton Hills
38: Glenway Crossing - Uptown 51: Glenway Crossing - Hyde Park Crosstown
46: Avondale - Winton Hills 78: Springdale - Vine/Lincoln. Heights
51: Glenway Crossing - Hyde Park Crosstown Metro +:  Metro Plus
78: Springdale - Vine/Lincoln. Heights  
Metro+: Metro Plus  

Visit go-metro.com to find additional routes and schedules.

Metro bus stops/routes serving UC West Main Campus (PDF) Metro bus stops/routes serving UC Medical Campus (PDF)

Eligibility and Registration

Students

To be eligible to participate in the program, a UC student must:

  1. Be enrolled in classes AND
  2. Possess a valid UC Photo Identification Card (from UC Public Safety)

UC tickets may only be used by the student who is enrolled in classes at the time of registration.

Employees

To be eligible to participate in the program, a UC employee must:

  1. Be actively employed AND
  2. Possess a valid UC Photo Identification Card (from UC Public Safety)

UC tickets may only be used by staff/faculty member who is employed by UC at the time of registration.

University students and employees who are new to the program and have not yet signed up should follow these steps to receive their free or discounted bus passes.

NOTE: Both steps MUST be completed in order, or you will NOT receive free bus passes in your Transit app ticket wallet. Passes are loaded to Transit accounts for new registrants on Fridays by close of business.

Registration Process

  1. Register for UC’s University Discount Program
  2. Download the mobile Transit app and create an account using your UC email address

Registration for the UC Metro University Discount Program is open for 2025-26 Academic Year registration and is valid from Aug. 25, 2025 through Aug. 23, 2026. You will not need to re-register for each semester.

  1. Register for the discount through UC.
  2. Download the Transit app with EZfare, free for Android and Apple devices
  3. Create an account with your UC email address
    • If you already have a Transit with EZfare app account using a different email address, you will need to set up a new one using your UC-assigned email address.
    •  Make sure you enable the EZfare ticketing option that will sync to your Transit account.
  4. Please allow 1-2 business days for the UC single ride and UC day pass tickets to appear in your account. You’re ready to purchase your half-fare tickets!
  5. When you board a Metro bus, tap your ticket barcode on the validator and show the operator your UC student ID.
METRO UC Discount Registration

How to Get Started with the Transit App

Remember to register for the discount before interacting with the Transit app. Then:
  1. Download the Transit app from your phone's app store (EZfare is included as a feature of Transit; do not download the EZfare app)
  2. Set up your account using your first and last name and UC email adddress. 
    1. You must use your full email address to receive discount  (xxxxxxxx@mail.uc.edu for students or yyyyyyyy@ucmail.uc.edu for employees)
  3. Click the bottom banner 'Save stats & favorites'
  4. Create your password
  5. When the account says 'CONNECTED,' move on to sync EZfare
  6. Click the EZfare button; your first and last name and email address will appear
  7. Click 'Provide access' 

You will receive a screen saying 'EZfare added to your account.'

For more information on how to use the Transit app, please visit Metro’s website.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH THE TRANSIT APP (pdf)

Places You Can Go with Metro

See some suggestions below for a few of the many destinations available to you with your new UC*Metro Discount. Visit go-metro.com to find additional routes and schedules.