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Cornell University

Facilities and
Campus Services

Bus Services - Privileges - Passes

Try Public Transit

Public transit is the ultimate way to make the most of your time. It’s convenient, efficient, and economical.

TCAT serves Tompkins County, including Cornell and the City of Ithaca. You can reach them at 277-RIDE (Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) or visit their website for route, fare, schedule, and park-and-ride lot locations. Annual OmniRide bus passes are available for purchase on the Transportation Website.

 

 

 

Getting Started

Students and employees can use their CU photo ID to ride TCAT buses. Just swipe your card at the fare box when you board a TCAT bus.

Employee Unlimited Ride Privileges

Employees, including temporary employees, affiliates, and retirees can use their CU photo ID when boarding TCAT buses to ride anywhere and anytime on a TCAT route for free! This unlimited ride privilege gives employees more freedom to plan their commute and help reduce the number of vehicles on campus.
Spouses or partners of CU employees with a CU ID can also enjoy unlimited rides on TCAT, nights & weekends on routes 90, 92, and 93.

Student CU ID Card Privileges

All registered students enrolled in a degree program get free, unlimited rides on all TCAT buses after 6 p.m. on weekdays and anytime on Saturdays and Sundays.
New-to-Cornell students automatically get OmniRide privileges for unlimited TCAT privileges in their first year as a matriculated student in a degree program. These privileges expire annually on August 31 for Fall entrants and December 31 for Spring entrants.
After the first year, students can buy OmniRide privileges at myparking.cornell.edu which expire annually on August 31.
Continuing education students and their spouses/partners with a CU ID card can enjoy unlimited rides on TCAT at night on routes 90, 92, and 93.

 

Regional Public Transit

Chemung County Transit serves Elmira, Horseheads, and Ithaca.
Cortland Public Transit serves the Cortland area, with service to Cornell, TC3, and Dryden.


Here’s how you can pay for your bus rides and join Cornell’s OmniRide commuter program.

 

What’s Required

  • To use the OmniRide program, you need to have a CU ID card. This includes night and weekend rides, and it’s non-transferable.
  • Your CU ID card needs to be swiped at the fare-box.
  • If your CU ID card isn’t accepted, you might need to use cash for the $1.50 fare.
  • If your CU ID card is bent or damaged, it won’t work properly. You’ll need to get a replacement card to use the OmniRide program.

What to Do If…

  • Your CU ID card isn’t working for any reason, contact our office at 607-255-4600.
  • Your CU ID is lost, stolen or damaged, report it to the University Registrar at 607-255-4232 to receive a replacement card. (There may be a fee.)

 

Now you’re all set!

**Important Note**

 Your CU ID card is the property of the university and can’t be shared with anyone else.