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 ID card functions as a bus pass 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. Replace lost or damaged ID cards 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 Student Business Office, Old Main 110. Lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and phone hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Parking on campus is limited and parking regulations are strictly enforced. Parkers using campus parking facilities are required to purchase a valid University parking permit and are encouraged to become familiar with the University parking and traffic regulations.

Quarterly and Annual Parking Permits

Students wishing to obtain a parking permit must get on a waitlist. Student parking permit waitlists for 2017-2018 will be available in August. Visit the WWU Parking Portal at www.wwu.edu/ps/park to get on a waitlist. Parking assignments are awarded on a seniority basis based on credits on file with WWU.

Students living on campus qualify for resident R lot permits. Students living off campus qualify for commuter C lot permits. For those needing to drive occasionally a daily short-term parking permit may be purchased (see visitor parking below).

Accessible Parking

Accessible Parking is available throughout the campus for those with state disability placards. Additionally, a WWU permit is also required to park in select lots during specified hours of the day. Students obtain their Disability Parking Permit online (see waitlist instructions above).

An accessibility map and guide is available at www.wwu.edu/campusmaps/. If you have questions contact the Parking Services Office at 360-650-2945 or e-mail at Parking@wwu.edu.

Parking for Visitors/Hourly Parking/Loading and Unloading

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

Hourly parking in G lots with pay stations is available at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and all hours on the weekend.

20-minute load zones are available around campus, no permit required.

Evening/After Hours and Metered Parking

Permits are required in all lots all hours with the exception of lot C. Parking is available in the C lot with no permit required Monday through Friday 4:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. 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 using the ParkMobile app.

Accessible spaces always require a valid state disability placard, but do not require a WWU permit after 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day on the weekends.

Payment is always required in ParkMobile spaces; quarterly/academic/annual WWU permits are not valid for parking in designated ParkMobile hourly spaces.

Students with a valid bus pass may obtain an after-hours permit online at www.wwu.edu/ps/park.

2017/2018 Permits

2017/2018 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/parking, call 360-650-2945 or e-mail at Parking@wwu.edu.