Tired of having to keep track of a month’s worth of bus tickets?
Coming in August 2012:Thenew MTA Student S-Pass!
In the 2012-13 school year, middle and high school students who use the MTA to travel to and from school will have a new, more convenient way to use the bus, subway or Light Rail. Instead of individual tickets each day, students will have a monthly pass. Here’s how it works.
In August, students will receive a new MTA student ID card, along with an S-Pass to use for MTA transportation. Then, each month at school, new S-Passes will be distributed. The S-Pass can be used on school days between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., all month long. It’s about the size and shape of a credit or ATM card. Students just slide it through the fare box on any local MTA bus, insert it at the fare gate at a Metro subway station or have it ready to show to an inspector on the Light Rail. That’s it!
Look for the CSI announcement for training for the S-Pass Management System and distribution of August and September S-Passes. Mandatory sessions for schools with MTA eligible students will be scheduled week of August 20th.
Get the FAQs: Answers to S-Pass Questions
Do all students get S-Passes?
Students who were eligible for MTA bus tickets are eligible for an S-Pass. In general, to be eligible, students must live more than 1.5 miles away from the school they attend.
What if a student moves during the school year?
If an eligible student moves and the new residence is closer than 1.5 miles from school (either the same school or a new school), he or she will no longer be eligible for an S-Pass. In the opposite case—if a student who lived closer than 1.5 miles to school moves to a moredistant residence—he or she will receive an S-Pass. Families should make sure to update their addresses at the school office if they move during the year.
When can the S-Pass be used?
The S-Pass is valid Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., except on days when schools are scheduled to be closed for holidays or teacher professional days.
What about days when there are special school events that finish later than 8 p.m. or happen on the weekend?
There is no change from the current practice: For travel to or from official school- or district-sponsored events after 8 p.m. or on weekends, students will be issued “one student fare” tickets. These are valid until 9 p.m. on weekdays and can also be used on Saturday or Sunday.
If students forget their S-Passes or student ID cards, can they still use the MTA?
No. The S-Pass is the same as a ticket—it pays the MTA fare—and the student ID identifies the rider as an eligible City Schools student. Without an S-Pass, students will have to purchase a ticket or pay the full fare.
How do transfers—between buses or from bus to subway or Light Rail—work?
Students should simply swipe the S-Pass each time they get on a new bus or enter a Metro station, and have it ready to show to an inspector on the Light Rail.
Can students share their S-Passes with classmates, friends or relatives?
No. Each S-Pass has a serial number that will be assigned to an individual student, so that it can be replaced if it is lost. Students can use only the S-Pass assigned to them, and they must also carry their MTA student ID card and have it ready to show to MTA staff on request.
What should students do if their S-Pass is lost or stolen?
Lost passes should be reported to the person at school who distributes new passes each month. A new pass will be issued to the student, and the lost pass will be invalidated.
What should students do if they find an S-Pass?
Anyone who finds an S-Pass should return it to the school office.
City Schools and the MTA hope that students will find the S-Pass convenient and easy to use. If you have questions, e-mail or call 410-396-7440.