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Triton U-Pass

Triton U-Pass for Students

Triton U-Pass is a program offered to UC San Diego students that provides unlimited access to regional MTS and NCTD bus and trolley/light rail routes and COASTER. The Student Transportation Fee is charged the fall, winter and spring academic quarters and no additional fee is required for summer access. Passes will expire September 30, 2025.

Triton U-Pass is NOT valid for use with these services:

  • MTS: Rural Routes (888, 891, 892 and 894), Rapid Express Routes (280 and 290) and MTS Access
  • NCTD: LIFT Paratransit

Eligibility

  • All current undergraduate and graduate students who have paid quarterly registration fees (e.g., tuition, housing, special fees, etc.) are eligible for U-Pass.
  • Eligible students who graduate in the spring will be able to use Triton U-Pass during the summer months.
  • UC San Diego Extension students and visiting scholars are not eligible for the program.

Learn how to use U-Pass: U-Pass Tutorial Video

U-Pass on the PRONTO App

Get the PRONTO App

App Store Google Play

Create and Link Your Account

UC San Diego currently enrolled students are uploaded to the PRONTO portal. Each student is required to create a PRONTO account and link to the U-Pass program.

  • Under the “Manage” tab, select “Student and Employee Programs."
  • Select “UCSD U-Pass.”
  • You should receive a “Link Successful” message. If you receive a “Link Unsuccessful” message, you will need to verify that your email address matches what UC San has on file by sending an email to iride@ucsd.edu with the header “PRONTO Help.”
  • Once you successfully link, the option to link will disappear.
Add your U-Pass on the date it becomes available.
  • Under the “Manage” tab, select “Add Passes.”
  • Select “MTS.”
  • The appropriate U-Pass product will appear.
  • Select “Add to Cart.”
  • Select “Checkout” (no payment information needed for $0 product).

Academic Quarter

Newly enrolled fee-paying students become eligible for a quarterly U-Pass; it may take two business days for the system to update enrollment status.

When to access your U-Pass:

  • Fall 2024: September 15 – December 31
  • Winter 2025: December 20 – March 31
  • Spring 2025: March 20 – June 30

U-Pass users are required to show current UC San Diego student photo ID card (TritonCard) if requested by transit officials.

U-Pass on the PRONTO Card

PRONTO cards are available for students who do not have access to use the PRONTO U-Pass app with a smartphone. You are not allowed to have both PRONTO app pass and physical PRONTO card active at the same time; you must choose one fare media.

If you are unable to use the PRONTO mobile app, visit the Gilman Service Center to get a PRONTO card and we will help you create your PRONTO mobile account and link your physical PRONTO card. You will need access to your @ucsd.edu email at the time of account creation to complete this process.