UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s 2026-27 RIDEpass program year will begin Wednesday, July 1, with changes that expand access for graduate students and simplify enrollment for all participants at University Park.
RIDEpass is a program for faculty, staff and graduate students that provides access to all regular CATABUS routes at a reduced price. Participants must be employed in a standing, fixed-term I, fixed-term multi-year or post-doctoral position at University Park, or be enrolled as a graduate, law or medical student with University Park as their primary campus.
Beginning with the new program year, all location-based eligibility requirements will be removed. As a result, all eligible graduate students may enroll in the program, including those who live on campus, downtown and in all off-campus apartment complexes. Graduate students also no longer will need to complete an application or verify their address and may purchase a pass directly through a link on the RIDEpass webpage.
Faculty and staff participants will continue to register in person at the Transportation Services Office in the Eisenhower Parking Deck. However, graduate students, faculty, and staff no longer will need to complete an application or verify their address. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The monthly cost of RIDEpass will increase from $23 to $24 for the 2026-27 program year.
RIDEpass registration and purchase will be unavailable until Wednesday, July 1, as the program transitions to the new year. Graduate students will be able to purchase a pass online beginning at 12:01 a.m., while faculty/staff registration at the Transportation Services Office will be available when it opens at 7:30 a.m.
For full program details, visit the RIDEpass webpage. Questions may be directed to ridepass@psu.edu.