While a car is not required on campus, or even in life, it is a handy tool for getting places. For those of us who don’t have access to our own, or even a friend’s car, there’s a variety of ways to get going.
Parking on and off campus: Parking for students is available in four main student lots (not to be confused with faculty lots) and along many streets with a parking permit, purchased through the Department of Public Safety (located in Straub Hall). Parking is also permitted at pay meters throughout and around campus. DPS is known for writing a parking ticket or two on campus while pesky city of Eugene parking police regularly patrol the surrounding neighborhood streets, which typically have two-hour limits.
Getting to campus and away: The Lane Transit District, or LTD, is the local bus operator. More than 50 routes cover Eugene and Springfield to get you from here to there without much hassle; there are over 15 to the UO alone. Each student can use LTD for free with his or her student ID card (the cost is subsidized by student incidental fees. Pick up a schedule at the bookstore, Eugene Station, or in the EMU. You can also check it out online at www.ltd.org.
DDS and APS: Both Designated Driver Shuttle (DDS) and Assault Prevention Shuttle (APS) are provided to students to transport you most places you need to go. Both run seven days a week, but times vary between the two. DDS will pick you up from a party between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., but don’t ask to be taken to one. Plan ahead as they sometimes have a 45 to 60 minute wait, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. APS provides a safe ride around campus and surrounding destinations. It’s a safe alternative after a late library night when you don’t want to walk through campus alone. Both services are free, but it is nice to tip the driver. DDS picks up on a first-call basis, but APS can be reserved. Call 346-RIDE (7433) for either DDS or APS.
Bicycle: Dust off the BMX, get a strong lock and you’re set to explore campus and Eugene. There are extensive bike routes all over town. Not only is cycling environmentally friendly, but you are getting exercise, too. It is also cheaper than paying for gas and parking. There are plenty of bike racks at every building, so you never have problems finding a spot to park. A convenient combination is the bus and bike. Each LTD bus has a bike rack on the front, which makes it easy to ride from home to campus and then ride around all day. There are two shops for bike repair near campus. First, Blue Heron, near the bookstore, is friendly and helpful. The other is Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life, near Alder and 24th Ave. If you need air in your tires, visit Blue Heron, Paul’s, or the free air pump on the east side of Carson Hall.
