corner

Institute of Health Sciences-Houston Center

News

New METRO Q Card U-Pass

There is some exciting news regarding transportation for University students this Fall 2007.  METRO has just recently informed us that they are extending the U-Pass program for one additional semester.  A Fall 2007 U-Pass will be valid from 9/1/07 – 12/31/07.  For a fee of $20, there will be unlimited service available for use on the Light Rail, METRO buses and METRO Park & Ride Centers during that four month period.  METRO requires that the Q Card be obtained as the “carrier” of the U-Pass access.  The METRO Q Card U-Pass will in essence house both contracts on a single card. 

How it works:

In its own right, the Q Card, when passed over the card reader, will automatically take out of the account half the fare that is being charged for TWU students who have applied for this Smart Card.  With the U-Pass program additionally on that same card, the card reader will pick up only the U-Pass contract information – overriding the Student Half Fare Discount Price available through the Q Card.  This option will continue through December 31st of this year.  Beginning January 1st of 2008, the Q Card Student Half Fare Discount will kick in again, and money you have placed on the card will then be used as a source to pay for transportation.  

How to participate:

METRO requires that you obtain a Q Card to make use of either the METRO Student Pass (50% discount off the regular fare) or the U-Pass elements.  There is no fee for the Q Card itself.  The Q Card will be valid through August 31st, 2008.  The U-Pass piece of this can be used through the end of 2007.

To secure the METRO Q Card U-Pass, please review the following:

STEP ONE

1)       METRO must have the Student Discount Q Card Application to enter information into their card-making database.  Please submit this Q Card Application (by email or in person) to Jennifer in the first floor Enrollment Services office.

2)       The U-Pass element of this Q Card will be offered at a fee of $20 for the Fall Semester:  effective through December 31st, 2007.  Please pay Jennifer in the first floor Enrollment Services office.  Check or cash will be accepted. 

3)       Gentle Reminder:  The Q Card itself is offered to you FREE through your application as a TWU student.  Once you begin using it in January of 2008, you will need to place funds on the card to take advantage of services offered by METRO.  You may add money at many locations, including HEB, Kroger, Randalls, and METRO RideStores.  More funds may also be added through the Internet by Credit Card payment.  MasterCard, Visa and Discover are all accepted.  METRO Contact Information:  713-635-4000 and/or www.ridemetro.org.  Again, when you use the card, half of the traditional fare will be debited against your account. 

STEP TWO

Please go to the RideStore near Main Street Square to get your photo taken and obtain your Q Card.  METRO representatives at that RideStore will be available beginning Wednesday, September 5th to accomplish this for you.  We are happy that they will be able to upload all TWU information to accommodate you as early as September 5th and on weekdays thereafter.    

The one RideStore that will have the TWU Q Cards is located at:

*1001 Travis (between Travis and Main [N & S]; Lamar and McKinney [E & W]).

*The RideStore can be found on the 1st Floor of the Reliant Plaza Building (near Main Street Square).

*If you take the Light Rail, departing at the Main Street Square platform will place you in front of the building. 

*The hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

*Entrances are on Main and Travis.    

When you get your photo taken at the Reliant Plaza Building RideStore, you will need to show your

a)      TWU letter authorizing receipt of the METRO Q Card U-Pass

b)      Receipt for the $20 for the U-Pass element of the Q Card

c)      TWU Student ID Badge

Please be advised that only the RideStore mentioned above will be able to accommodate TWU student Q Cards.  METRO representatives will NOT be on site at the TWU campus to take photo IDs to facilitate this process.  To secure your Q Card with U-Pass, you will need to visit the RideStore in the Reliant Plaza Building near Main Street Square any weekday from September 5th on.  We appreciate your cooperation as this process unfolds.