Access Your WTA Bus Pass via the Umo App

Effective June 23, 2025, Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) and WWU have agreed to transition exclusively to the Umo App for Western bus passes. As a result, Western Cards will no longer be accepted as valid bus fare on WTA buses.

Yes. Transportation Services will supply a physical card if you meet one or more of these qualifications:

• Your smartphone does not have NFC capabilities (iPhone 6 and newer and most Android phones are NCF equipped).
• Your phone does not support US based apps (for international and exchange students).
• You do not have a smartphone.
• You are working with the DAC for technology accommodations.

To accommodate the needs of WTA riders, including students and staff, individuals can convert their 16-digit mobile account to a physical Umo card if desired. This conversion process requires a visit to the Bellingham Station Customer Service Representative (CSR) booth, where riders can purchase a $3 Umo card. Please note that once the account is transferred to a physical card, it cannot be reverted back to a mobile account.

Benefit codes can still be loaded to the Umo card each quarter via the Passenger Portal, ensuring a seamless transition for riders who prefer a physical card. WTA is committed to providing flexible and convenient options for all riders, and this conversion process is just one example of their dedication to meeting the needs of the community

These issues also happen to physical cards. Once you find your phone, get a new phone, or repair your phone you can recover your account by logging into the Umo App. 

In situations where a rider's phone is inoperable, damaged, or misplaced, WTA bus drivers will have the discretion to allow passengers to board the bus. WTA is committed to ensuring equitable access to transportation services for all riders, and these measures are designed to accommodate a wide range of needs and circumstances.

June 23, 2025 WTA will no longer be accepting physical Western Cards as valid bus fare.

Since Spring '24, Western has been offering Umo benefit codes alongside digital Western Cards, ensuring students have access to the latest fare payment options. Transfer students who joined in Spring '24 and freshmen starting Fall '24 have exclusively used the Umo App as their primary bus pass.

Additionally, Western's contract with Skagit Transit has required the use of the Umo App for all bus riders since Fall '24. This change has been implemented to streamline the fare payment process and ensure a consistent experience for bus riders across both Whatcom and Skagit transit systems.

The physical cards were not as seamless as it may have seemed for the user.

With the passage of time, technological advancements have presented opportunities for more efficient and reliable systems. While these changes may not be immediately apparent, they are often driven by unseen challenges with existing infrastructure. In the case of the physical Western Card, our IT department has dedicated considerable resources to maintain compatibility with nearly 20-year-old logic, investing significant hours annually to keep pace with modern software.

Additionally, the management of three distinct types of Western bus passes – swipe cards, tap cards, and Umo benefit codes – has proven inefficient. To streamline operations and enhance the user experience, the transition to a single, unified bus pass system through the Umo App aligns with our commitment to embracing technological advancements and ensuring optimal functionality for our community.

Official contract language around the Umo App and benefit codes is:

UMO BENEFIT CODES FOR FIXED ROUTE SERVICE: During the Term, WTA will provide service on its fixed route system to any active WWU student, employee or faculty member (“Eligible WWU Rider”). Such services shall be accessed by Eligible WWU Riders by and through use of an UMO benefit code via the UMO App. WTA shall provide WWU with a Pass program that includes a total of twenty thousand (20,000) UMO benefit codes per WWU academic quarter, which shall be the cap on the number of available rides for Eligible WWU Riders that are allowed by that number of benefit codes. Benefit codes will be active starting five (5) days before each WWU academic quarter commences and will remain valid through the end of the academic break that follows each academic quarter. Benefit codes are non-transferable. See the attached Exhibit A which is incorporated into the Agreement by this reference.