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 to them and to minimize their use of single occupancy vehicles to commute to campus. The Sustainable Transportation Office provides everyone on campus transportation related information and assistance. Contact the Sustainable Transportation Office at 360-650-7960, Transportation@wwu.edu, or wwu.edu/transportation.

Western Student Transportation

The student transportation program provides resources for students including a Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) Bus Pass, Late Night Shuttle service, trip planning assistance, Zipcar, and an Alternative Transportation Coordinator which is a student position (please contact us if you’re interested in applying for this position). The quarterly Alternative Transportation Fee funds the program. 

Student WTA Bus Pass

A student’s Western ID card is used as their bus pass, and it is valid for unlimited rides on ALL Whatcom Transportation Authority buses, including the bus to Mount Vernon. Students swipe their ID card through the fare box when they board the bus. The student bus pass works for any quarter the Alternative Transportation Fee is on the student’s account. Lost or damaged Western ID cards can be replaced at the Western Card office and will continue to work as a bus pass.

Students taking 6 or more credits are automatically assessed the Alternative Transportation Fee when they register. Students taking less than 6 credits may request the fee by emailing Transportation@wwu.edu or visiting the Western Card Office.

Student Late Night Shuttle

The Late Night Shuttle operates during the academic year, and only serves Western students; it runs Monday thru Saturday 11 p.m.–3 a.m. and Sunday 9 p.m.–2 a.m. To board, students show their Western ID card to the driver. Service consists of two routes that serve the WWU campus, Residence Halls, Downtown, Bill McDonald Parkway, the Happy Valley Neighborhood, Lincoln Street and Lakeway Drive. The Late Night Shuttle stops at all WTA bus stops along its route. Use the Shuttle Tracker app (wwu.ridesystems.net) to view the shuttle map, schedules, and real-time location of the shuttles. Shuttle maps and schedules can also be found on the shuttles and online at wwu.edu/transportation.

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 a mile or less, walking to and from class is usually faster than driving, parking, and then walking to class. Walking is also a great way to incorporate some exercise into your day.

Bicycles

Bellingham is a 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 Campus Bike Map and Bicycling Guide is available at wwu.edu/transportation. Register you bike at Project529.com or BikeIndex.org. Registering your bike increases the chance that it will be returned to you if it is recovered after being lost or stolen. Bicycle locks, lights, parts, and repair assistance are available at the A.S. Outdoor Center bike shop in the Viking Union. There are four Dero Fix-It Stations on campus, which are great for minor bicycle repairs. Bike lockers are available for a small fee. All WTA buses and Late Night Shuttles have easy to use bike racks.

Public Transit

Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) provides safe, high quality, cost-effective, and accessible public transportation throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County, including the 80X bus to Mount Vernon. Buses travel through Western’s campus seven days a week, every 15 minutes on weekdays and on a modified schedule evenings, weekends, and holidays. Routes serving Western connect with other routes at the downtown Bellingham Transit Station serving Amtrak, Greyhound, Boltbus, Airporter shuttle and Bellingham Airport. WTA also connects with regional transportation providers serving Skagit County, the Seattle area, Whidbey Island and the Everett/Seattle Airports. For WTA route and schedule information, visit ridewta.com or call 360-676-RIDE.

Persons with Disabilities Service

All WTA buses (except emergency backup vehicles) are wheelchair accessible. WTA Specialized Transportation offers transit service to those unable to access or use fixed route buses. Call 360-733-1144 (TTY call 360-676-6844) for more information about this service.

Zipcar

For convenient use of a car when needed, Western has partnered with Zipcar to provide self-service, on-demand car sharing for students. Cars are parked in two locations on campus. Students 18 and older can apply for a WWU Zipcar membership. Rates start at $7.50/hour or $69/day. Gas, insurance, and maintenance are included in the hourly rate. More information is available at wwu.edu/transportation or zipcar.com/wwu. Zipcar helps make it possible for students to not bring a personal car to Western.

Park and Ride

The off-campus Lincoln Creek Transportation Center (LCTC) is convenient to Interstate 5, and it is a 10-minute bus ride to the center of campus. WTA routes serve the LCTC, providing a less expensive option for campus parking.

Parking Services

Parking Services is located in Old Main 110 at the Student Business Office. Phone assistance is available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the lobby is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m..

Parking space is limited on campus and parking regulations are strictly enforced. Anyone using campus parking facilities are required to purchase a valid University parking permit for any motorized vehicle. Drivers are encouraged to become familiar with the University parking and traffic regulations. WAC 516-12.

Quarterly and Annual Parking Permits

Student parking permits are awarded via a waitlist system. Waitlists are ordered based on credits on file with WWU. All students looking to obtain a permit must apply by adding themselves to a waitlist.  

Waitlists open in early August. Parking Services will send email communications to all students in the weeks prior to the waitlist opening with specific dates, deadlines, and other information.

All students are eligible for a free After Hours permit, which allows for parking in a number of on campus lots Monday – Friday after 4:30 p.m. and all hours on weekends and holidays. These permits are available online at www.wwu.edu/park. 

Permit rates are available online at www.wwu.edu/parking.

Parking for Persons with Disabilities

Accessible parking 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 valid during business hours and the state disability placard must be displayed all hours.

An accessibility map to the WWU campus is available at www.wwu.edu/campus-maps If you have questions regarding accessible parking, 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 have different parking options depending on if they are parking during business hours (Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or after hours (Monday – Friday, after 4:30 p.m., all hours on the weekends).

During business hours, visitors may purchase hourly and daily permits online at www.wwu.edu/park, at the pay stations, or by using the Parkmobile mobile app, in lots C, 12A, and 6V. There are also designated mobile app spaces in lots 7G and 17G that are available during business hours.

After hours, visitors may park in the C and 12A lots without a permit and can purchase hourly permits in lots 6V, 7G, 11G, 14G, 17G, and 19G by using either the pay station or the Parkmobile mobile app. When parking with a state disability placard, no WWU permit is required when parking after 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday and all hours on the weekends.

20 minute loading zones are available around campus for short term, 20 minute parking.

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

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