University of Minnesota

Gophers! Tap and ride to win prizes this fall!

Banner graphic for U of M contest

Your U Card has the Universal Transit Pass built in, and in September and October, you can earn a chance to win great prizes; like bookstore gift cards, Gopher gear, and an Apple Watch!

All you have to do is register first and then each time you tap and ride, you increase your chances of winning the weekly prize drawing!

Register here and get riding! (Registration opens Monday, Sept. 16)

Contest details:

Contest is open from Monday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. 

One drawing each Monday during the promotional period (Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21, & Oct. 28)

Great prizes you could win:

  • Prize 1: University of Minnesota Bookstore Gift Card, retail value: $50
  • Prize 2: Gopher Package, retail value: $50
  • Prize 3: University of Minnesota Bookstore Gift Card, retail value: $100
  • Prize 4: Gopher Package, retail value: $125
  • Prize 5: Gopher Package, retail value: $200
  • Prize 6: Apple Watch, retail value: $799.99

Contest/sweepstakes rules 

Universal Transit Pass

Illustration of college students at the U of M, taking transit.

The University of Minnesota is served by more than two dozen bus routes and the METRO Green Line so transit is an easy and stress-free way to get on (and off) campus!

Students: Your U Card now has a Universal Transit Pass on it, which gives unlimited rides to U of M undergraduate and graduate students who pay the Transportation and Safety Fee. Activate it at a kiosk or the activation stations at the Coffman Union Welcome Desk or St. Paul Student Center. You get rides on regional buses and trains – including Metro Transit buses, METRO lines, and suburban transit providers. It also provides a reduced fare on the Northstar commuter rail.  

U of M universal transit pass

Faculty/staff: All Twin Cities benefits-eligible faculty and staff will receive unlimited access to all transit systems in the Twin Cities metro area. It also provides a discount on Northstar commuter rail fares.

Employees with 75-100% appointments will receive the Employee Transit Pass (ETP) at no additional cost. Employees with 50-74% appointments who are eligible for benefits but no contributions from the University may opt-in at their cost via a pretax payroll deduction.

The ETP program provides low-cost, equitable, and accessible transportation for eligible employees and helps the University meet its sustainability goals in support of the Climate Action Plan. 

For more information, please visit Parking and Transportation Services’ ETP website and FAQ.

Other ways to pay

  • Rechargeable value loaded on a Go-To Card for quick and easy fare payment
  • Metro Transit app to buy transit tickets on the go
  • Cash or credit card at any rail ticket machine
  • Cash (exact change only) on the bus

Routes serving the University of Minnesota

West Bank Campus map

East Bank Map

Routes serving the Minneapolis campus

Routes from the north

Routes from the south

  • Route 2 from south Mpls. via Franklin Ave.
  • Route 7 from south Mpls. via Minnehaha
  • Route 22 from south Mpls. via 28th Ave. Cedar Ave.
  • Route 113 from south Mpls. via Lyndale and Grand Ave.
  • Route 114 from south Mpls. via Hennepin Ave.
  • Route 465 from Burnsville
  • Route 475 from Apple Valley and Eagan
  • Route 490 from Prior Lake and Shakopee

Routes from the east

Routes from the west

Routes serving the St. Paul campus

Routes from the north

Routes from the east

  • Route 3 from downtown St. Paul via Maryland Ave. Energy Park Dr. and Como Ave.
  • Route 61 from downtown St. Paul via Arcade Ave. and Larpenteur Ave.

Routes from the west

  • Route 3 from downtown Minneapolis
  • Route 61 from downtown Minneapolis via Hennepin Ave. and Larpenteur Ave.