RU, KCATA team up for U-Pass

Thanks to a new partnership between Rockhurst University and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, all students can use their student IDs to ride MAX and The Metro.

MAX and Metro service will be an attractive alternative for students who want to save money, improve the environment and not worry about fighting for a parking space on campus. Rockhurst University has joined the U-Pass program, allowing part-time and full-time undergraduate and graduate students to ride any of the 60 Metro buses free of charge by simply swiping their student ID card. 

“It’s pretty helpful,” said Danny Morris, a freshman from St. Louis. “There are a lot of things I’d like to check out and this is a good way to get around.”

The one-year pilot program is being funded by student activity fees and funds from the University’s student development and athletics departments.  Continuation of the program will be contingent upon the availability of ongoing funding.

“With the frequent, easy-to-understand service offered around campus, this partnership is a win on many levels,” said Matt Quick, dean of students and vice president of student development and athletics. “Rockhurst values environmental conservation and creating connections to the communities surrounding the University. This partnership allows our students to do both of these things.”

This year’s freshmen were acquainted with the KCATA system during recent orientation activities. Though Rockhurst freshmen have for several years been introduced to Kansas City through an orientation activity called “Where to Go in KCMO,” for the first time this year the groups boarded Metro buses for a tour of sites and attractions, taking and sharing creative photos and videos along the way.

“Tying it in with ‘Where to Go in KCMO’ was really important because it showed the students how close they really are to a lot of different places and attractions and how easily those places are accessible by bus.” Quick said. “We want them to start thinking about Kansas City as their city.”

This contributed to one of KCATA’s highest ridership days of 2013, with more than 60,000 rides on The Metro and MAX.

“We are thrilled about this partnership with Rockhurst,” said KCATA General Manager Mark Huffer. “The campus is conveniently located along Troost MAX, which offers frequent service seven days a week. The expansion of the U-Pass program is a great step for transit in our community.”