RIDEpass
For $23 a month, University Park faculty, staff, and graduate students can acquire a RIDEpass that gives them access to ride any regular CATABUS routes at any time.
Overview
- Participants must be employed in a standing, fixed-term I, fixed-term multi-year, or post-doctoral position at University Park or enrolled as a graduate, law, or medical student, with University Park as their primary campus.
- Use the RIDEpass webtool below to check if your residence is eligible:
- Must live at least 0.75 miles from the nearest Blue Loop or Red Link stop
- Must live at a residence that does not participate in a CATABUS pass program
- Participants who wish to maintain a campus parking permit are only eligible for a Commuter permit.
- The RIDEpass program year runs from June 1 to May 31, with applications accepted throughout the year. Passes must be purchased monthly through Token Transit. Renewal applications are emailed in May.
- Note: With CATA transitioning to the Token Transit digital fare system this year, RIDEpass passes will have a printed expiration date of Sept. 30, 2025. The issuance of physical RIDEpass cards ended July 18, and all RIDEpass participants issued physical passes prior to that date were emailed instructions for claiming a digital RIDEpass through Token Transit.
- RIDEpass is not applicable to CATA services such as CENTRE RIDE, the Football Shuttle, charters, or any special shuttle services.
- University Park faculty and staff can elect to pay their RIDEpass fees via payroll deduction. Graduate students and any employee not eligible for payroll deduction must pay in full each month through Token Transit.
Rules are subject to change and are communicated to the participant’s preferred email.
View the RIDEpass Terms and Conditions for a complete list of eligibility requirements, program rules, and information on pass distribution and payment.
RIDEpass Eligibility Tool
This tool will allow you to determine your eligibility for RIDEpass. Please search for your local address in the search bar in the upper left corner. Your eligibility will be determined based on the walking distance between your local address and the nearest Blue Loop or Red Link bus stop.
RIDEpass eligibility is based on additional criteria. This tool is for distance based eligibility only.
Note: Upon successful completion of a RIDEpass application, all participants are required to visit the Transportation Services Office provide a document verifying the address used to apply for the program prior to receiving access to purchase their pass online through Token Transit. Acceptable documents include a valid driver's license or learner's permit, valid state identification card, current lease/rental agreement, property tax receipt, recent utility bill, recent paycheck, recent change of address mailer from the Postal Service, or a recent credit card or bank account statement. All documents must be dated within four (4) week of pass pick-up.
RIDEpass Payment Portal Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does my physical RIDEpass card have an expiration date of Sept. 30? How do I get access to my pass after that date?
A: This summer, CATA is transitioning to a new digital fare system for their buses through Token Transit. Prior to Sept. 30, Transportation Services will email all RIDEpass participants with instructions for accessing a new digital RIDEpass. As a result, graduate students will only be able to purchase a RIDEpass through the end of the fall 2025 semester.
Q: After my pass expires, will I have to re-validate my address?
A: No, you will not need to submit documents validating your address to purchase another pass during the 2025-26 program year, which runs through May 31, 2026.
Q: After the fall semester, will I be able to purchase another semester pass?
A: Yes. Prior to Dec. 31, all graduate student RIDEpass users will receive instructions by email for purchasing RIDEpass for the spring semester through Token Transit.
Q: How will this affect my payroll deductions for RIDEpass?
A: While the physical RIDEpass card is valid, all faculty and staff employees that want to stop deductions on RIDEpass will still need to return their pass to the Transportation Services Office at 1 Eisenhower Parking Deck. Once a digital pass is issued, RIDEpass participants who wish to end their RIDEpass payroll deduction will need to contact Transportation Services. Full details on this process will be shared prior to the issuance of digital passes.
Q: How much does RIDEpass cost?
A: $23 per month
Q: What is Token Transit?
A: Token Transit is CATA’s new digital fare system provider that will allow riders to pay fares and access bus passes through their mobile device. Visit the CATA website for more information.
Q. I’m a graduate student who bought the RIDEpass before the Token Transit transition and it’s valid through December. How do I maintain access?
Graduate students who purchased a RIDEpass before the transition will receive a free digital pass for each month through December. This pass must be claimed through the Token Transit app using your PSU credentials.
Q. I’m a faculty/staff member who purchased the RIDEpass. How can I continue to use it?
Faculty and staff must log in to the Token Transit app each month and claim their monthly pass to maintain access.
Q. Will my physical RIDEpass card still work on CATA buses?
No. All physical RIDEpass cards will be deactivated after July 31. Riders must use the Token Transit app QR code to board.
Q. I don’t have access to a smartphone. What should I do?
Inform your customer service representative when you visit the Transportation Services Office for RIDEpass address verification. They will provide information on alternative options available through CATA.
Q. Will refunds be available if I decide to stop using RIDEpass?
Graduate students who purchased through December before the transition will be eligible for a prorated refund.
Q. I’m a faculty/staff member and was payroll deducted even though I didn’t claim a pass. What should I do?
You must contact Transportation Services before the start of the new month if you do not wish to participate. This is necessary to stop payroll deductions. No refunds will be issued if prior communication is not made.
Q. Can I purchase more than one month at a time through the Token Transit app?
No. RIDEpass will only be available month-to-month through the Token Transit app starting Aug. 1.
Q. Can I apply for RIDEpass directly through the Token Transit app?
No. All applications must be submitted through the PSU RIDEpass website.
Q. How do I get the Token Transit app, and is it free?
The Token Transit app is free and available through your mobile device’s app store.
Submit a RIDEpass application.