It's official, back to school season is upon us. While you may be prepping your first day outfit, getting your supplies in order or thinking about which mask to bring, don’t forget to take some time to consider your campus commute. It’s important that when traveling to campus you are doing so in a way that is sustainable and efficient. Hence, this academic year Transportation and Parking Services wants you to commute with confidence! See below for how you can do so.
- Share parking with confidence. Got roommates? Great! Introducing the new student carpool permits. Students interested in starting a carpool group for winter, and skip the parking permit lottery, need to review the guidelines here.
- Bike with confidence. Biking is one of the best ways to commute to campus if you live within a reasonable distance. Fun fact: 57% of students and 33% of faculty and staff live within five miles of Cal Poly’s campus, so get your helmet and get to campus!
- Ride SLO Transit with confidence. One of the many perks of being a Cal Poly community member is that you can ride the SLO transit bus for free when you present your ID. Now trips to and from campus from throughout the county on Regional Transit Authority (RTA) buses are also free. These busses serve all of SLO County and extend down into Santa Barbara County. All campus community members who are interested must sign up with TAPS. For more information visit afd.calpoly.edu/parking/commutingtocampus/bus_services
- Be car-free with confidence. No car, no problem! That’s what Zipcars are for. There are many Zipcars located all over campus to rent for just an hour or even a whole day.
- Rideshare with confidence. Thanks to our partners at Rideshare, faculty and staff who are registered and actively recording their smart commutes qualify for an emergency ride home, allowing ridesharers to get home quickly in case of personal or family illness and emergencies.
- Keep charged up with confidence. Cal Poly has electric vehicle charging stations located in the Grand Avenue Structure and in the H-2a parking lot to keep your vehicle charged and ready to go.
Being mindful of your commute is a great way to start of the academic year on the right foot. As you return to campus the university hopes that you will do so with confidence!