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

• 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