Every quarter, along with the standard registration stickers and pamphlets, UW students receive the U-PASS, a sticker that gives them unlimited bus rides for $44. Some anticipate the pass only to send it back and receive a refund, while others look forward to having a means of transportation.

According to the UW Office of Transportation, the second option is what the majority of students are waiting for.

The number of passes in circulation reached an all time high of 44,484 this fall, a UW Office of Transportation press release reported.

"The U-PASS is a wonderful idea because it allows students to explore the city they live in," sophomore Pamela Saunders said.

In addition to the more than 80 percent of students that have a U-PASS, the UW also has one of the largest bike locker programs in the United States, according to the transportation office.

Public transportation and alternate forms of transportation are some of the main focuses for lowering carbon emissions; the U-PASS makes this easier for students and others in the UW community.

"Per seat kilometer (the amount of energy emission per seat), public transport uses a third or less the energy and CO2 emissions of a car," according to "Transport energy and emission: urban public transport," a chapter of the Handbook of Transport and the Environment.

The University community's efforts to be environmentally friendly are increasing.

"It is important that we realize what we are doing to the environment," sophomore Andra Gonsalves said. "The U-PASS is an easy way for the entire UW community to actively cut down on their environmental footprint."

In addition to convenient bus transportation, the U-PASS offers University students several perks.

"U-PASS benefits include unlimited travel on local public transit, discounted carpool and occasional parking, a vanpool subsidy and programs that reward bicycle and walking commutes," according to the press release.

Using public transportation is important for the UW community because of the large concentration of people on campus.

"Despite a 22 percent growth in employee and student population, today's University-related peak hour traffic remains below 1990 levels," the press release reported. "More than three-quarters of the campus population commutes using an alternative to driving alone."

Showing concern for the transportation issue will remain a focus for many as the University community continues to grow each year with new freshmen and transfer students.

"It's easy and it's cheap," Gonsalves said. "There is no reason we all can't use our U-PASS more often."

Reach reporter Celia Hunko at news@thedaily.washington.edu.