Transportation Resources
Gopher Way
During the winter months, stay warm by using the Gopher Way, a system of tunnels and skyways that connect many of the buildings on campus.
624-WALK program
Walking alone? The UMN offers trained security monitors, available 24/7, to walk (or bike) with you! Just call 612-624-WALK (4-9255 from any campus phone) or use the Safewalk request page.
Student Contract Parking
Full-time student parking contracts are available each semester on a first come, first served basis. Students may purchase a contract each semester pending space availability. Having a contract one semester does not guarantee a parking contract for a subsequent semester, but you can request a renewal before new contracts are offered if you'd like to remain in the same location. Contracts must be renewed each semester.
Learn more and apply for a contract on the UMN Parking and Transportation Services site.
Didn’t Get a Contract?
During fall and spring semester, contract space is available in the State Fairgrounds lot for commuter students. This can be conveniently purchased by coming into the PTS office. If you are a student living in an apartment complex across the street from campus or living in an apartment 30 miles away, you are a commuter student.
Daily Parking
If you do not want to get a contract but still need to drive to school, there are many daily parking options available on the UMN Parking & Transportation Services site.
Carpool
Want to save money and carpool! Check out Gopher Rideshare to find a carpool!
Traffic
For real-time information on current traffic, refer to this traffic map from the MN DoT.
ParkMe App
ParkMe displays real time parking data, including rates, hours of operation, payment types, real time occupancy information, locations of lot and garage entrances and more.
Parking in residential areas
If parking in residential areas and commuting a short ways to campus is interesting to you, remember the rules of parking on an unsigned street:
- Too close to a stop sign or Traffic Signal - vehicles are not allowed to park within 30 feet of the approach side of a stop sign or traffic signal unless otherwise indicated by a parking meter or traffic sign.
- Blocked driveway - vehicles are not allowed to park within 5 feet of a private road, driveway, or alley.
- Blocked fire hydrant - vehicles are not allowed to stop, stand or park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic control agent.
- Railroad Crossing – vehicles are not allowed to park within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.
- On a sidewalk - vehicles are not allowed to stop on sidewalks, sidewalk crossings or boulevards.
Resources
- Parking & Transportation Services (300 Transportation & Safety Building)
- HOURCAR and Evie (car sharing/rental near campus)
If you want to bring your bike to campus while also needing to take public transportation, you can! All modes of transportation through Metro Transit have ways to bring your bike along for the ride.
Remember to be safe while biking! Wear a helmet, use headlights, walk your bike on sidewalks, and use bike lanes on the road.
U of M Bike Center
If you bike straight to campus, there are many bike racks around campus, by almost every building. There is also a wonderful program at the U of M Bike Center. For a yearly $40 membership you can have 24/7 access to secure bike parking and showers/changing facilities. Check out the Parking and Transportation site for more information.
ZAP! Rewards Program
Students that participate in the ZAP! Rewards Program can receive gift cards just for riding their bikes.
Nice Ride
If you need to use a bike for only a short amount of time and you don’t want to bring one to campus, Nice Ride MN has multiple locations where you can rent a bike.
Universal Transit Pass
The University has paired up with Metro Transit to offer students a huge discount on public transportation! When you pay your transportation and safety fee (part of your student services fees when you are registered for classes), part of your transportation fee covers the cost of your Universal Transit Pass. Once you activate your U card, you have access to unlimited rides on all regular route buses and the light rail, 24/7 during the semester.
- Northstar #888 may have an supplemental fare on top of your Universal Transit Pass.
For more information, go to the Parking & Transportation Website
Metro Transit Trip Planner
To find the fastest trip from where you are commuting to campus, use the Metro Transit Trip Planner on the Metro Transit website.
Transit App
Download the Transit app to help you navigate your public transportation options around the Twin Cities.
Guaranteed Ride Home Program
Getting the Transit Pass also qualifies you for the Guaranteed Ride Home Program, which is a program that allows you to get a reimbursed ride home if you have an emergency or have to stay on campus late. For more information on how to sign up, visit the Metro Transit website.
Gopher Chauffeur
Gopher Chauffeur is a free ride system through Boynton Health that will give you a ride home if you live on or near campus or Uptown Minneapolis. Gopher Chauffeur operates on Sunday to Wednesdays from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am and on Thursdays to Saturdays from 10:00 pm to 2:30 am. To schedule a pick-up, download the ‘Transloc’ app on your iOS or Android device and select ‘Gopher Chauffeur'. Enter your location and destination and set up your account. Then book your ride.
While intended to provide students an alternative to driving under the influence, this has become a great safety option for any need a student may have for getting to and from nearby locations.
FYI, Gopher Chauffeur does not run over breaks.
Busing
Watch this video on how to use Metro Transit bus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioi5Lz3jNv8
- Fares for Metro Transit regular route busses can range from $2.00 to $2.50, depending if it is rush hour or not, but your Universal Transit Pass covers the cost.
- Fares for Metro Transit express busses can range from $2.50 to $3.25, but your Universal Transit Pass covers the cost.
- There are other bus services that are not Metro Transit that go directly to campus that you can use depending on where you are commuting from. These services include: Maple Grove Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Plymouth Metrolink, and SouthWest Transit. They also accept the Universal Transit Pass.
For more information, visit the UMN Parking and Transportation website.
Light Rail
There are two different main light rail lines, the blue line and the green line.
- The blue line goes from Target Field to Mall of America
- The green line goes from Target Field to Union Depot
The light rail stops to campus are along the green line.
- The stops for the University are called “West Bank,” “East Bank,” and “Stadium Village.”
Northstar Commuter Rail Line
The Northstar Train brings commuters from the northern suburbs to downtown. The train goes from Big Lake to Target Field, and stops along the way are Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Fridley. Check route #888 on the Metro Transit website for schedules. This route will incur a small supplemental fare on top of the Universal Transit Pass.
Resources
- Metro Transit (Minneapolis/St. Paul buses and light rail)
- Anoka County Transit (Anoka, Blaine, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Elk River, Fridley, Ramsey)
- Maple Grove Transit (Maple Grove)
- Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Rosemount and Savage)
- Plymouth Metrolink (Plymouth)
- SouthWest Transit (Chanhassen, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Victoria)
Build Community
Join Gopher Hall! Gopher Hall is a virtual community that is exclusive to students living off-campus. By joining Gopher Hall, you will be able to connect with other off-campus students and have access to resources and program opportunities throughout the year. Want to join? Follow us on Instagram under UMNCommuterCentral and join Gopher Hall on
Facebook: UMN Gopher Hall
Get Involved
Although it can be tough to find time outside of school, work, and family, getting involved on-campus is a great way to meet new people and enhance your experience at the University of Minnesota.
We have an active, dynamic group on Discord and host virtual programs there as well! Come join us!
- Join Commuter Connection Student Group
- Join other Student Groups
- Attend a Campus Event
- Participate on an Intramural Team
Meet Other Commuters
Check out the Commuter Connection and enjoy programs and services like a microwave, refrigerator, lounge space, networking opportunities, desktop computers, and more. It is open to all off-campus students!
Location: Memorial Union, Room 204
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-624-5491
Facebook: University of Minnesota Commuter Connection
Community Resources
Childcare
- Como Early Learning Center (Como Student Community Co-operative, SE Como)
- Community Childcare Center (Commonwealth Terrace Student Family Housing Co-operative, St. Paul))
- Miniapple Montessori (Marcy-Holmes)
- University of Minnesota Child Development Center (SE Como)
Minneapolis-wide
Restorative Justice Community Action: enables you to defer a livability citation if you participate in a community circle process to repair the harm to the community. Citations include underage consumption, noisy party, disruptive behavior, detox, public urination, etc.
Sheridan Story: works with local community orgs to reduce food insecurity on weekends for children in local schools who qualify for the free/reduced lunch program. Volunteers from many area churches help fundraise and pack food bags that are distributed confidentially into backpacks on Friday’s at Marcy Open School and Pratt School locally (in addition to almost 100 schools across the Twin Cities metro).
Southeast Minneapolis
Southeast Seniors: helps seniors stay in their homes in the SE Mpls area and needs volunteers for yard care, help at home, rides and visits with local senior citizens.
Arvonne Fraser Library: your local public library at the corner of 4th St SE and 13th Ave SE offers great programming as well as study spaces and maker spaces for you or your small group to work on presentations, practice and more. Open Monday/Wednesdays/Fridays/Saturdays from 9am - 5pm and Tuesdays/Thursdays from 12pm-8pm.
Minneapolis Police Department: Meet your Crime Prevention Specialist and get involved in the 2nd Precinct Advisory Council to learn more about crime trends near your home.
University District Alliance: The University District Partnership Alliance is made up of interested and committed people from the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus area neighborhoods, business associations, University student government, the City of Minneapolis, and the University of Minnesota. It also includes a growing number of friends and partners who are committed to achieving the vision of the Alliance.
Neighborhood Associations
Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association: get involved in the oldest neighborhood in Mpls and help plan community events, respond to neighborhood concerns, provide input for n’hood planning like the redesign of the 5th St Pedestrian Bridge or the addition of bike lanes to 8th St SE, etc.
Southeast Como Improvement Association: this neighborhood has a huge focus on sustainability and environmental initiatives with some amazing community gardens and the FairShare Farm among other neighborhood projects.
Prospect Park Association: participate in a vibrant n’hood org that is working to improve the plans for growth around the 29th St Lightrail Station and the Tower Park area among other projects.
Cedar Riverside Community Council: this is the new neighborhood organization which is bringing together residents, businesses and students to work for the success of the Cedar Riverside area. Get involved in safety initiatives, covid-19 community response team volunteer opportunities and more.
Local Churches
Those we partner with currently:
- Southeast Christian Church: a local church reaching out to students by providing study space, free wi-fi and coffee a few nights a week as well as opportunities to get involved and volunteer.
- University Lutheran Church of Hope: a local church with an active justice and advocacy group that does quite a bit of programming geared toward student interests.
- University Baptist Church: offers an amazing music ministry as well as justice and peace work. Check out the Roots Cellar Music Series.
- St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Newman Center: take advantage of active programming for students weekly with opportunities for a retreat, spring break mission trip and more!
- Seeds Covenant Church: active community which meet at Marcy Open School and help facilitate the Sheridan Story collaboration there at the school.
Other local churches:
- Stadium Village Church: local church with international focus. Many volunteer opportunities and classes for international students.
- Sojourn Campus Church: local church with focus on identity, community, and missions. Many small groups to join.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: local church with focus on missions and service.
- Masjid Dar Omar Al-Farooq: Mosque focused on prayer, assisting the needy, education, and promoting the well-being of Muslims in Minnesota.
- Universal Christian Ministries: church focused on inviting people and peace.
Business Associations
- Dinkytown Business Alliance
- West Bank Business Association
Garbage & Recycling
Information about waste removal for specific properties can be found on your city's website. On the City of Minneapolis website you can learn how to prepare yard waste, learn about single-sort recycling, and find the different pickup schedules. For St. Paul and surrounding areas visit Eureka Recycling and Ramsey County for trash collection information.
Be sure to bring your cart back in same day. Don’t leave carts out and try to bag your items so they don’t blow around the neighborhood if your cart is knocked over.
Don’t use your recycling carts for trash. You can request additional trash containers if one is not sufficient for your unit.
Minneapolis Pick Up:
Garbage is picked up each week in Minneapolis.
Check your garbage pickup date for your address.
Recycling is picked up every other week in Minneapolis.
Check your recycling pickup date for your address.
St. Paul Pick Up:
Garbage and Recycling are picked up weekly in St. Paul. Haulers vary.
Pack & Go Program
Since it's inception, the Pack and Give Back program has diverted over 300k pounds of household items from landfills, and back to students and the neighborhood.
Help us by donating your reusable items when you are moving out each year. Help yourself by shopping the FREE STORE each fall and saving money on great supplies for your new apt or house.
The ReUse Program Warehouse is open for donation drop-offs from June 1st to August 24th, 9am-3pm Monday-Friday. Items collected on campus by the ReUse Program, or brought to the ReUse warehouse by students and neighborhood residents, will be part of the program's "Free Store". Based out of the ReUse warehouse (883 29th Avenue SE), all items in the Free Store will be offered free of charge to students from August 26th to September 7th.
Residents of neighborhoods Marcy-Holmes, Southeast Como, Cedar-Riverside, and Prospect Park may also shop the Free Store during the last week of the sale if they have made a donation.
DO NOT drop materials outside the ReUse warehouse overnight. This is considered illegal dumping and will be prosecuted. Materials for donation can only be accepted during normal business hours. Violators will be prosecuted.
Pack & Give Back is funded in part through a partnership with Hennepin County Environmental Services, in collaboration with City of Minneapolis Waste Management, the ReUse program, Off-Campus Living, Housing & Residential Life, and Community Relations at the University of Minnesota.
Shop the Free Store
- Stop by the Pop Up Free Store at the Whole Music Club in Memorial Union on Tuesday, Aug. 30th from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. during Welcome Week
- Visit the ReUse program for the Free Aisle during Welcome Week and the first week of class.
Shop the ReUse Center (during the regular year outside of the Free Store)
When:
Thursdays: 8:30am-5:00pm
Saturdays: 10am-4pm
Who:
General Public
Why:
To prevent reusable items from entering the landfill.
Where:
883 29th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Grocery Stores
- Minneapolis/St. Paul Grocery Map
- Find out which grocery delivery services near you are operating, on Particular Pantry!
- Lunds & Byerlys (grocery store at Central Ave SE and University Ave SE)
- Fresh Thyme (grocery store at 30th Ave SE in Prospect Park)
- Cub Foods (at Quarry Shopping Center between New Brighton Blvd and Johnson St NE)
- Seward Community Co-Op (on Franklin Ave SE and 29th Ave SE)
- Aldi (1311 E Franklin Ave)
Specialty Groceries
- Shabelle Ethiopian Grocery (2325 E Franklin Ave)
- Afrik Grocery (613 Cedar Ave. S)
- Wadajir Grocery and Halal Meat (525 Cedar Ave S)
Grocery Delivery Options
- Instacart (offers grocery delivery and pick up options) ($3.99 fee for orders more than $35)
- Pikup (offers grocery and retail delivery options) ($1.45 fee typically)
- Shipt (offers grocery and household essential options) ($10 fee per order or monthly membership of $10.99 available)
Farmers Markets
- Gateway Plaza, outside of the Alumni Center.
- Every Wednesday, from 11am to 2pm.
- 312 East Lyndale Avenue N.
- Daily and year round from 6am to 1pm, with limited winter hours.
- Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.
- Thursdays from 6am to 6pm.
- 2131 Fairview Ave N, Roseville, MN.
- Tuesdays (May 5 - October 27) from 8am-12pm.
St. Thomas More Farmers Market
- 1093 Summit Ave, St Paul, MN.
- Fridays (May 15 - October 30) from 1:15-5pm.
- 27 W 7th Pl, St Paul, MN.
- Tuesdays (June 9 - October 6) and Thursdays (June 11 - October 8) from 10am-1:30pm.
St. Paul Downtown Farmers Market
- 290 5th St E, St Paul, MN.
- Saturdays (April 25-October 31) from 7am-1pm. Sundays (April 26 - October 25) from 8am-1pm. Saturdays (November 7-21) from 8am-1pm. Sundays (November 1-22) from 8am-1pm.
Convenience Stores
- Target Express (at 14th Ave SE and 5th St SE)
- 8th Street Market (at 7th Ave SE and 8th St SE)
- Mr. Santana (601 University Ave SE)
- Joe’s Market & Deli (at 19th Ave SE and Como Ave SE)
- Bobby’s Corner Market (at 16th Ave SE and Como Ave SE)
- Holiday Gas Station (at 27th Ave SE and University Ave SE)
- Walgreens (corner of Walnut St SE and Washington Ave SE)
- West Bank Grocery (417 Cedar Ave S)
Parks
East and West Bank Campuses
- Luxton Community Center, 112 Williams Ave SE (Prospect Park)
- Van Cleve Community Center, 901 15th Ave SE (SE Como)
- Fr. Hennepin Bluff Park, 420 Main St SE (Marcy-Holmes)
- Holmes Park, 414 3rd Ave SE (Marcy-Holmes)
- Bluff Street Park, 1 20th Ave S (Cedar-Riverside)
- Coyle Community Center, 420 15th Ave S (Cedar-Riverside)
- Minneapolis Parks and Recreation
St. Paul Campus
- College Park, 2223 Carter Ave, (St. Anthony Park)
- Langford Rec Center, 1067 Van Slyke Ave (St. Anthony Park)
- Alden Square Park, 1169 Gibbs Ave, (St. Anthony Park)
- Falcon Heights Community Park, 2050 Roselawn Ave W, Falcon Heights
- St. Paul Parks & Recreation
Community Gardens
- Fairshare Farm (22nd Ave SE & Fairmount Ave SE)
- Talmage Crossing (21st Ave SE & Talmage Ave SE)
- Como Corner (22nd Ave SE & Como Ave SE)
- Accord Garden (15th Ave and Como Ave SE)
- Arthur Garden (185 Arthur St SE)
- Towerside Garden (2909 4th St SE)
- Yale Garden (1401 Yale St SE)
- Dickman Park (614 Second St NE)
- Franklin Steele Square (1600 Portland Ave S)
- Loring Park (1382 Willow St)
- Towerside Innovation District Park
- 8th Street SE Community Garden
- South St. Paul Community Garden (682 Verderosa Ave)
Minneapolis
Near SE Como
Near Prospect Park
North Loop (near downtown Minneapolis)
St. Paul
West side of St. Paul
Other Storage Options
- Neighbor.com - rent storage or parking spaces from neighbors through the site at prices that are often 50% cheaper than self storage units.
- Guide to storage for college students (search engine for storage deals at storageunit.com)
City Rental Related Resources
- Mpls Inspections (1-3 units)
- Mpls Inspections (4+ units)
- Fire Inspection Services
- Mpls Property Info
- St. Paul Inspections (1-2 units)
- St. Paul Inspections (3 + units)
- St. Paul property code enforcement
- St. Paul property Info
Other Rental Related Resources
- Off-Campus Housing Listing Service (Housing & Residential Life)
- Live Near Your Work
- Student Legal Service
- Community Crime Map
- Cort Furniture Rental
- Fiber Internet, search by zipcode: https://www.allconnect.com/internet/fiber-internet
Involvement Resources
- Student Engagement (more than just class)
- Center for Community Engaged Learning (240 Appleby)
- Gopher Link (for student or organization involvement)
- Multicultural Student Engagement (126 Coffman)
- Fraternity and Sorority Life (17th Ave Res Hall)
- Student Union & Activities (126 Coffman)
- Elections & Voting resources (State of MN)