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Active Transportation Options
Active transportation is one of the best ways to get around while also reducing carbon emissions. If you’re able, UCSC has miles of walking paths to get between key campus locations.
You can also Remix your Ride with Slug Bike Life and get free resources for biking including helmet and light giveaways, mechanic checks, safety classes, and e-bike demos. Check out all your options at SlugBikeLife.org.Don’t have a bike? You can still get rolling with BCycle E-bike Share! UCSC affiliate memberships are just $12 for students and $59 for employees and include unlimited 60-minute rides for a year! Apply today to start riding. E-bikes are heavier than traditional bikes and there are special safety considerations. Make sure you check out this video about e-bike safety and email us at taps@ucsc.edu if you need a helmet for riding a BCycle e-bike.
If you need help getting up the hill to campus, take the Bike Shuttle from the CVS on Mission & Olive. Note: the Bike Shuttle cannot accommodate e-bikes or bikes over 55 pounds.
Campus and Regional Transit
All campus routes will be operating as of September 14, including school term service and additional service for routes 18 and 19. We strongly recommend that all students obtain their student ID with a current validator sticker as soon as possible.
As a reminder, due to historic trends where ridership demand may exceed capacity during the morning commute, we recommend leaving additional time for unforeseen circumstances.
Track METRO buses in real time using the Transit App, Google Maps, Apple Maps or METRO’s Real-Time website.
UCSC Campus Transit
UCSC Campus Transit is operating three on-campus routes: Loop, Upper Campus and Night Upper Campus. Additionally, the Westside Connector and Silicon Valley Connector services will return for the fall quarter.
The Safe Ride service operates daily from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and provides a safe and reliable means of transit from one location to another on the residential campus and ensures the safety of students who feel endangered or unsafe during night hours.
Sharing Rides
Carpooling
Save money, socialize, and reduce your emissions by sharing the ride. Cruz511, a ride-matching program, makes it easy to find others who want to carpool to campus.
Vanpool
Be climate cool…Vanpool! UCSC vanpools help reduce travel stress, and save wear and tear on your car. Check today to see if there’s a route for you, or email vanpool-group@ucsc.edu to start one!
Zipcar
If you have a temporary need for a vehicle, check out Zipcar, UCSC's car-sharing partner. Zipcar has cars all over the residential (main) campus that are available on an hourly or daily basis. Those who are at least 18 years old are eligible to join Zipcar and receive UCSC affiliate pricing by signing up with your UCSC email.
Parking Options
Stuck with a flat tire or dead battery? TAPS now offers tire inflation and battery jumpstarts. Fill out this form to request service during regular parking enforcement hours (this service is not available outside parking enforcement hours).
Posted parking restrictions at Pogonip Overlook will be enforced by campus Parking Enforcement Representatives. Parking is not allowed between 12am and 6am, and vehicles cannot be left unattended at any time.
Effective September 23, 2023, parking citation fines have increased for certain parking violations on campus.
R Permit sales have been suspended for 2023/24. Students who are eligible may apply for a UCSC parking permit to get on the waitlist, or submit an appeal. Hourly and daily ParkMobile options are available throughout UCSC’s campuses. As of September 14, 2023, ParkMobile will no longer accept PayPal as a payment method. You may still use all major credit/debit cards, Google Pay, and ParkMobile Wallet to pay for ParkMobile spaces.