Webster University offers free public transportation for Webster students, faculty and staff through a partnership with Metro Transit in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 30, 2012 – UPass, a new partnership between Webster University and Metro Transit, offers free public transportation for Webster University students, faculty and staff, as well as more frequent Metro bus service at high-volume times.

Webster University-branded annual "UPass" cards are available to students, faculty and staff at the bursar's office with a Webster University photo ID. For individuals who already have purchased a Metro pass, Webster will refund the full amount of their unexpired passes. Webster UPasses are good through summer 2013. New passes will then be available at the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year.

Another provision of the program is to increase the number of Metro bus trips between the Shrewsbury Metrolink station and the front of Webster Hall on Lockwood during hours pertinent of to the needs of our faculty, staff and students. Beginning in mid-November, two additional Metrobus trips in the morning will leave the Metrolink station at 7:26 a.m. and 8:14 a.m., ensuring that faculty, staff and students will be on campus by 8:30 a.m. In the evening two additional Metro bus trips leave Webster Hall at 9:44 p.m. and 10:16 p.m. Most of Webster's evening classes end at 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Free parking is available for Webster UPass users at the Shrewsbury Metrolink station parking lot. Typically, about 400 parking spaces are available there, even during peak hours. Students, faculty and staff with a current Webster University parking pass may surrender the pass and receive prorated reimbursement.

The Webster University-branded UPass card is good 24 hours a day, anywhere in the Metro Transit system.

According to Chief Financial Officer Greg Gunderson, the new UPass program is intended to make using public transportation more affordable, convenient and relevant to the needs of Webster's student, faculty and staff.

"There are many reasons why we developed this program with Metro," he said. "First, it's a more sustainable transportation option. Second, it's a more convenient option, particularly for those who are unable to drive to campus. It's also good for the community, in terms of reducing the amount of street parking in the immediate neighborhood and offering more frequent Metro bus stops along Lockwood. The ability to park off campus for free is another attractive benefit of the UPass program."

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses. Founded in 1915, Webster University's campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional residential campuses in Asia, Europe and North America. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.