Appendix I - Transportation Services

WWU is committed to supporting sustainable transportation options and reducing automobile-dependent transportation. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to utilize the variety of transportation options available and minimize the use of motor vehicles. The Sustainable Transportation Office offers information and assistance to help students find the transportation options that best fit their needs. WWU is bordered by residential neighborhoods within easy walking distance of downtown, and is well served by public transportation. For information, contact Western’s Sustainable Transportation program at 360-650-7960, transportation@wwu.edu or go to www.wwu.edu/transportation.

Western Student Transportation

The student transportation program provides transportation resources for students including a Viking Xpress Bus Pass for each student*, Student Shuttle service, Zipcar, and a student Alternative Transportation Coordinator. The program is funded by a $26.25 quarterly Student Transportation Fee. For more information, visit the student transportation website at www.wwu.edu/transportation.

*Students taking 6 or more credits are automatically assessed the $26.25 Student Transportation Fee; students taking 1-5 credits can opt in to the student transportation program by paying the fee. Fee and eligibility do not apply to courses offered through Extended Education online or off-site classes or non-credit programs.

Student Bus Pass

The Student bus pass is valid for unlimited rides on all Whatcom Transportation Authority bus routes, including routes serving the Lincoln Creek Transportation Center and the 80X route serving Mount Vernon and Bellingham. Students must go to the Western Card office to have the bus pass encoded on their ID card for each academic year and summer quarter. Lost or damaged ID cards can be replaced at the Western Card office for a fee of $8.00.

Student Shuttle

The WWU Student Shuttle is a late night bus service that operates during the academic year and is open only to Western students. A valid Western ID card is required to board. The shuttle system consists of two routes that serve WWU, Downtown Bellingham, Bill McDonald Parkway, Happy Valley, Lincoln Creek Transportation Center, and Lakeway Center. The shuttle stops at all WTA bus stops along its route. Map and schedule are available on buses, and at www.wwu.edu/transportation/westernstudentshuttle.shtml.

Walking

WWU is located within a mile of the Bellingham Central Business District and is surrounded by friendly residential neighborhoods. The campus is accessible via trails and an extensive sidewalk network through the neighborhoods. Walking is the cheapest way to go, and for trips of less than a mile, walking from door to door is usually just as fast as driving, parking and walking.

Bicycles

Bellingham is a featured bicycle destination, and the community supports bicycle transportation. With more than 900 bike racks adjacent to residence halls and academic buildings, you are encouraged to bring your bicycle to Western. There are some restrictions on bicycling in campus pedestrian areas during high-traffic times. The WWU Bicycle Commuting Guide and Washington state bicycle traffic laws are available at www.wwu.edu/transportation. Bicycles can be registered at no charge with University Police at the Campus Services Building. Register your bike to increase the chance of having your bike returned if it lost or stolen and then recovered. Bicycle locks, lights, parts and repair assistance are available at the Outdoor Center bike shop in the Viking Union.

Public transit

Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) provides safe, high-quality, cost-effective, and accessible public transportation. WTA offers WWU convenient service with multiple routes Monday-Sunday. Routes serving Western connect with other routes at the downtown Bellingham Transit Station including regional transit connections at Skagit Station in Mount Vernon. Evening service connects WWU with other Bellingham destinations until 10 p.m. seven days a week. Easy to use bike racks are installed on every WTA bus. For WTA route and schedule information, call 360-676-RIDE or visit www.ridewta.com.

Persons with disabilities service

All WTA buses (except emergency backup vehicles) are wheelchair accessible. Transit service is available for those unable to access or use fixed route buses through WTA Specialized Transportation by calling (360) 733-1144 (TTY call (360) 676-6844).

Zipcar

Western Washington University has partnered with Zipcar to bring self-service, on-demand car sharing to the campus, for convenient use of a car when needed. Cars are parked in the central campus, near the library and primary bus stops. Students 18 and older can apply for WWU Zipcar membership. Rates start at $7.50/hour or $69/day. Gas, insurance and maintenance are included in the hourly rate. Learn more at www.zipcar.com/universities/western-washington-university.

Park and Ride

The off-campus Lincoln Creek Transportation Center is convenient to Interstate 5 and a 10-minute bus ride to the center of campus. WTA routes serve the park and ride lot, providing a convenient alternative for parking on or near campus.

Parking Services

Parking Services is located in the Campus Services Building 2001 Bill McDonald Parkway, at the south end of campus. Parking Services hours are 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Parking space is limited and parking regulations are strictly enforced. Anyone using campus parking facilities are required to purchase and display a valid University parking permit on any motorized vehicle. Drivers are encouraged to become familiar with the University parking and traffic regulations.

Quarterly and Annual Parking Permits

Student parking permit applications for 2015/2016 will be available August 3, 2015. Check with www.wwu.edu/ps for application and deadlines. All Students must apply for parking to obtain a WWU Parking Permit.

Resident lot parking assignments are awarded by credits on file with WWU at the end of Spring quarter 2015.

Students living off campus are eligible to apply for and purchase C lot permits.

For those needing to drive occasionally a daily short-term parking permit may be purchased (see visitor parking below).

Parking for Persons with Disabilities

Parking access is available throughout the campus for those with state disability permits.

A WWU permit is also required. Students must apply for their Disability Parking Permit online (see above). Both permits must be displayed during business hours.

Accessibility guides to the WWU campus are available at www.wwu.edu/ps or at Parking Services. If you have questions feel free to contact the Parking Services Office at 360-650-2945 or email us at Parking@wwu.edu.

Parking for Visitors/Temporary Parking/Loading and Unloading

Visitors may purchase a permit online at www.wwu.edu/ps, at Parking Services, pay at a meter or use a pay station in lots 6V, 12A or C all hours of the day.

Pay stations in G lots are available at 4:30pm Monday through Friday and all hours on the weekend.

A 20 minute unloading/loading permit can be obtained at Parking Services at no charge.

For information on arranging guest parking visit www.wwu.edu/ps or contact Parking Services at 360-650-2945.

Evening/After Hours and Metered Parking

Permits are required in all lots all hours with the exception of lots C and 12A. Parking is available in the C and 12A gravel lots with no permit required Monday-Friday 4:30PM to 7AM and all day on weekends.

Lots are enforced as posted on the sign at the entrance to each lot.

You may obtain a permit at the pay stations located throughout the campus or pay to park in a metered space.

Disability accessible spaces always require a valid state disability permit.

Payment is always required at meters; permits are not valid for parking in a metered space.

Students with a valid bus pass may obtain an After-Hours permit at Parking Services.

2015/2016 Permits

2015/2016 Student Permit Quarterly Prices (subject to change). Academic and Annual permits also available. Summer permits are at a discounted rate.

Additional Information

For additional information regarding maps, regulations, visitor or event parking, fees, citations, or any parking questions please visit us at www.wwu.edu/ps, call 360-650-2945 or e-mail us at Parking@wwu.edu.