Transportation Alternatives

Washington University encourages faculty, staff, and students to consider using alternate forms of transportation. The following are several low-cost and environmentally responsible options for those who normally drive a personal vehicle to campus. For more details on the options below, please contact Parking & Transportation Services at (314) 935-5601.

Occasional Parking
The Occasional Parking program offers a limited number of discounted daily permits to faculty, staff, and students who utilize any of these alternate forms of transportation for their daily commute. Participants in the Occasional Parking program must not possess or purchase an annual parking permit, unless as part of an approved carpool or vanpool. Enrollment in this program is required, and restrictions apply. For more information about the Occasional Parking program, or to enroll, please contact the office of Parking Services at (314) 935-5601 or click here.

Guaranteed Ride Home
Washington University is a participating employer in the Citizens for Modern Transit Guaranteed Ride Home program, which serves individuals who normally utilize public transportation, walk, or ride a bicycle to work rather than drive a personal vehicle. In case of unscheduled overtime, or a health-related or personal emergency, commuters can receive immediate transportation from their workplace to their home or an emergency-related location. For more information about the Guaranteed Ride Home program, please visit the Citizens for Modern Transit website at www.cmt-stl.org. Individuals who participate in an approved carpool or vanpool through RideFinders may register for the Guaranteed Ride Home program through RideFinders at www.ridefinders.org.

Washington University U-Pass Program
Washington University in St. Louis offers a comprehensive transportation program through Metro St. Louis, the region's public transportation agency. The U-Pass program provides Metro passes for full-time students, benefits-eligible faculty and staff, and full-time employees of qualified service providers. This program provides students and other members of the University community unlimited access to the St. Louis Metropolitan region on public transit. In addition, there are three bus routes that specifically target the connection of Washington University's campuses to nearby residential and shopping areas. For more information on the U-Pass program, please call (314) 935-5601 or visit parking.wustl.edu/upass.htm. Metro route and schedule information is available online at www.metrostlouis.org. Faculty, staff, and students who use the U-Pass as the primary mode of transportation to and from campus may enroll in the Occasional Parking program and are also eligible for the Citizens for Modern Transit Guaranteed Ride Home program

Carpools / Vanpools
Carpooling and vanpooling is a great way to save money on your commute! RideFinders, the St. Louis region’s free ridematching service, is a great resource for those interested in joining, starting, or registering a carpool or vanpool. For more information, contact RideFinders at 1-800-VIP-RIDE (800-847-7433) or visit www.ridefinders.org. In addition, Washington University carpoolers may be eligible to use reserved carpool-only parking spaces on campus. For information on eligibility and reserved space locations, please contact Parking Services at (314) 935-5601. Faculty, staff, and students who participate in an approved carpool or vanpool may register for the Guaranteed Ride Home program through RideFinders, and are also eligible for enrollment in the Occasional Parking program.

Car Sharing
Washington University has partnered with WeCar, the car sharing program from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, to bring this convenient and useful service to the Washington University community. The WeCar program allows hourly rental of hybrid vehicles located at several areas on campus for program members. Everyone in the Washington University community over the age of 18 is eligible to participate. For more information about the WeCar program or to become a member, visit www.wecar.com/wustl, or call (314) 889-8572.

Bicycles
Riding a bicycle instead of driving to campus is a great way to save money on fuel and parking costs, and can also serve as an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Bicycles may be parked at any bike rack on campus. Cyclists on campus should be careful to yield the right of way to pedestrians at all times. It is recommended that those who bring a bicycle to campus keep the bicycle securely locked at all times when not in use, and also register the bicycle with the Washington University Police Department. WUPD also offers high-quality bike locks for lease or purchase by members of the Washington University community. Faculty, staff, and students who use their bicycle as the primary mode of transportation to and from campus may enroll in the Occasional Parking program, and are also eligible for the Citizens for Modern Transit Guaranteed Ride Home program.

Walking
Walking is another great transportation alternative for health-conscious members of the University. Individuals who walk to campus are eligible for enrollment in the Occasional Parking program, as well as the Citizens for Modern Transit Guaranteed Ride Home program.