Graduate Student Handbook

Beginnings - The Twin Cities - Information and Educational Resources - Campus Activities - Money and Jobs - Housing, Health, and Family Needs - Transportation - Registration and Regulations - Further Resources and Services - How to Get Here

Transportation

Buses & Light Rail

Public transit is the most inexpensive way of getting to the U of M. In addition to being more affordable than parking on campus, buses also save students, staff, and faculty from the hassle of getting to campus in rush hour traffic. Parking and Transportation Services works with local public transit providers to provide the best possible service to meet the transportation needs of the University community. For more information see http://www1.umn.edu/pts/index.htm.

Campus shuttle service

You can get wherever you need to go at the University on the campus shuttle system. These shuttle buses link the East Bank, West Bank, and St. Paul campuses. All campus shuttles are FREE and use a color-coded bus stop mapping system. See maps for route and stop information or call 612-626-7275.

Buses serving campus are equipped with wheelchair lifts. If you need extra help boarding a bus (even if you're not in a wheelchair), feel free to ask the driver to use the lift. Please be sure to find a space on the sidewalk that is clear of snow and other barriers so the lift can do its work freely. For more information and schedules see http://www1.umn.edu/pts/shuttle.htm .

Campus Connector

The Campus Connector provides direct bus service between the St. Paul, East Bank, and West Bank campuses approximately every five to 30 minutes from 7 a.m. through midnight, depending on the time of day and academic year.

As an added service, some Campus Connectors offer fast limited-stop service connecting St. Paul, East Bank, and West Bank campuses between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Buses on this schedule can be identified by the Limited Stop signs on the front and sides of the bus. Limited Stop buses only stop at: Blegen Hall, Weaver-Densford Hall/Transportation & Safety Building, Huron Boulevard Parking Complex, Transitway at Commonwealth Avenue, and St. Paul Student Center. See http://www1.umn.edu/pts/shuttle.htm for schedules and information.

Campus Circulators

Campus circulators are user-friendly mini-buses that circulate the St. Paul and East Bank campuses. Service on the routes operates every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. through 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Paratransit Service

University Paratransit is a specialized curb-to-curb, on-campus transportation service provided free of charge to persons with either temporary or permanent physical disabilities. This service operates 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the year, except during University holidays. Call 612-282-6619 to schedule a ride. Reservations are accepted up to two days in advance.

U-Pass

U-Pass offers unlimited rides on any bus in the Twin Cities area going anywhere at any time. Only $62 a semester, any currently enrolled U of M student is eligible for the pass. You can pay by check, credit card, or student accounts receivable. To order a pass or for more information, go to http://buspass.umn.edu .

Carpool Parking

Carpooling is your most economical parking option. Any vehicle with two or more people is granted access to the least expensive parking on campus.

The carpool lots listed below are reserved exclusively for carpool patrons until noon, Monday through Friday. After noon, these lots remain available to carpools at the discounted rate and are opened to the public at the normal daily rate.

·      Lot 37 on East Bank/Lot 94 on West Bank

Some lots offer both carpool rate parking and public/visitor daily rate parking throughout the entire day

·      Lot 108C in St. Paul during fall and spring semester/Lot 101 in St. Paul during summer only

Find A Partner

Are you looking for a partner to carpool to the University? Metro Commuter Services at http://www.metrocommuterservices.org/ matches drivers and riders according to home address and approximate commuting time.

Parking

If you are going to drive to the Minneapolis campus, plan your parking strategy. If you schedule early classes, get to campus before 7 a.m. For more parking advice and information, call Parking and Transportation Services (612-626-7275, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) or visit their web site at http://www1.umn.edu/pts/parking.htm .

Motorist Assistance Program

The Motorist Assistance Program is a FREE program designed to help Twin Cities Parking and Transportation Services customers who are legally parked in any University parking facility. This includes University meters, surface lots, ramps, garages, loading zones, and vendor stalls. This program does not include University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, parking facilities.

After calling the hotline, 612-626-PARK (7275), individuals will receive assistance with unlocking vehicles when the keys are locked inside, changing flat tires, jumpstarting vehicles, and can be given referrals upon request to a service station when the problem is beyond the scope of the staff.

Hours of Operation:
·      Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bicycles

The University offers bike paths and racks all around campus. Parking and Transportation Services rents fully enclosed bike lockers and has information on personal and pedestrian safety, bike regulations, how to prevent bike theft, campus and access maps, registration and licenses, bike racks on buses, parking options, and Bicycle Advocates. For more information, call 612-625-1333 or see http://www1.umn.edu/pts/biking.htm .

Walking

Without a doubt, walking is the most economical way to access the Twin Cities campus. Over one third of the U’s daily visitors arrive on campus by foot, promoting a healthy and earth-friendly alternative to driving. The University offers an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere with plenty of foliage and green plazas in different areas of campus. During snowy or rainy days, visitors can walk between most University buildings in the comfort of tunnels and skyways – the Gopher Way.

To make navigation of the complex system a little bit simpler, Gopher Way signs and maps direct you through the tunnel and skyway system to your destination. Signs in the entrance of most buildings give detailed information on navigating the area, including maps of the tunnel and skyway connections in the vicinity. Most tunnels and skyways are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Gopher Way brochures are available at Parking and Transportation Services, 300 Transportation and Safety Building or see  http://www1.umn.edu/pts/walking.htm. 

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