Thriving at UCR Without a Car

UCR offers a wealth of transportation options that make getting around a lot easier than you think.  Explore the options below for more information.

• Biking & Walking

  Riding a bike or walking is fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly commute mode. There are over 3,000 bike racks spaces located throughout campus. There are also four locked bike cages available at no cost for those that have registered their bikes on campus.

  Bike amenities: UCR has several self-fix-it stations for do-it-yourself light repairs. Pedals bike shop is also conveniently located on campus every Wednesday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM in Lot 19, offering repairs, parts and accessories. Transportation Services provides free bike registration and issues bike licenses daily between the hours of 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

  If you are a UCR campus employee or graduate student, you may want to explore incentives for biking or walking to campus. Visit our Biking/Walking page.

• Riverside Transit Agency - UPASS Program

  Experience Riverside’s shopping, dining, and entertainment venues by taking the bus. UCR subsidizes 100% of your RTA bus pass through RTA’s U-PASS Program.  Register for a free mobile pass and show your mobile device on board for unlimited, FREE rides on any RTA fixed route. All RTA buses come equipped with free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports.   Use this guide to find your way around.   For more detailed schedules, visit RTA  online or contact Transportation Services. 

• Carsharing

  Carsharing is available on campus!

  Zipcar is a self-service car share program available to the entire campus community. Zipcar vehicles are available right on campus and can be reserved by the hour or day 24/7. Rental fees include insurance, gas and mileage up to 180 miles per day. Rentals are meant for roundtrips and can be reserved in advance when you need to run errands, attend meetings, visit friends or anything else you may need to do.

  Zipcars can be found in reserved areas in Parking Lot 1, Bannockburn, and the auto courts just outside of Big Springs Parking Structure 1.

  How do I join?

  You must first register for a membership at Zipcar by using your UCR email account. UCR students and staff benefit from a discounted $15 annual membership fee to participate. You must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver's license and credit card to join. International licenses are acceptable. Once approved by Zipcar, you will be mailed a membership card to access the cars or you can instantly reserve by using the Zipcar app.

  Rates vary depending on the vehicle, so check the Zipcar website to view the current inventory of vehicles and pricing.

• Find a carpool partner

  Find a carpool partner!

  UC Riverside has partnered with Waze Carpool.  Choose to drive or ride, and match with people based on route and time of day.

  Waze Carpool can also help you find someone to share the ride with to campus. Download the Waze Carpool app (iOS/Android) and be sure to add your campus email address to your profile so that you are matched with others in the UCR community.

• Metrolink

  Metrolink’s train services provides connections in six Southern California counties with two local stations near UCR.  Metrolink  offers a 25% discount to students with a valid student ID.  RTA has several bus routes that run between campus and the Riverside Metrolink stations.   Metrolink also offers a $10 weekend day pass making it an easy and affordable option to explore southern California.

• Long Distance Travel

  Traveling outside of Riverside County?  There are other resources available to get you where you need to go: 

  SuperShuttle offers UCR a 10% discount on their airport shuttles to any Southern California airport.  Just use code MSRVF when booking your ride.

  The LAX FlyAway airport shuttle provides bus services from LA Union Station and drops off in front of each LAX terminal.  From Riverside, purchase a combination Metrolink/FlyAway ticket via the Metrolink app or the vending machines located at each Metrolink station.

  FlixBus provides comfortable long distance bus travel to cities like San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix and more.  They have a conveniently located bus stop at UCR in Parking Lot 30, near the benches next to the RTA sign. 

Freshman Resident Parking Information

Due to limited parking availability on campus, freshman residents should plan on NOT bringing a vehicle to campus with them.  Campus parking permits will only be issued to students who seek an exemption from Transportation Services based on a documented, compelling need for campus parking.  Residents will be sent information regarding the exemption process when they are notified of their housing assignment.

Resident Parking Permits

If you bring a car to campus, a valid parking permit must be displayed in your vehicle at all times on the UC Riverside campus. Resident permits may be purchased by Transfer to Student Account.

• Residence Hall/Glen Mor Permit

  Residence Hall/Glen Mor permits for returning students are available online approximately 3 weeks prior to Move-In day by logging in with your UCR NetID. After this time, permits may be purchased at the Parking Services office based on availability.  Residence Hall/Glen Mor parking permits are available on a first come, first served basis.

  Residence Hall/Glen Mor permits are VALID:

  • 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the parking area designated for your permit type
  • In the Level 1 Electric Vehicle Charging spaces in Big Springs 1, as long as you are actively charging
  • After 6:00 PM Monday-Friday and all day on weekends in all non-reserved spaces in Blue parking areas in Lots 1, 6, 9, 13, 23 and 24

   Residence Hall/Glen Mor permits are NOT VALID:

  • In Campus Apartment or Oban Family Housing lots
  • In Pay-by-Space stalls
  • In Disabled or Medical stalls
  • In Service stalls
  • In any specially marked stalls
• Campus Apartments Permit

  Campus Apartment (Bannockburn, Falkirk and University Plaza) permits for returning students are available online approximately 3 weeks prior to Check-In day by logging in with your UCR NetID. After this time, Campus Apartment permits, excluding Stonehaven, may be purchased at the Parking Services office.

  Stonehaven permits are available for purchase via the Stonehaven housing website.

  Campus Apartment (Bannockburn, Falkirk and University Plaza) and Stonehaven permit types are VALID:

  • 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the parking area designated for your permit type
  • After 6:00 PM Monday-Friday and all day on weekends in all non-reserved spaces in Blue parking areas in Lots 1, 6, 9, 13, 23 and 24

  Campus Apartment (Bannockburn, Falkirk and University Plaza) and Stonehaven permit types are NOT VALID:

  • In Residence Hall or Oban Family Housing lots
  • In Pay-by-Space stalls
  • In Disabled or Medical stalls
  • In Service stalls
  • In any specially marked stalls
• Oban Family Housing Permit

  Oban Family Housing permits are available online in May by logging in with your UCR NetID. After this time, permits may be purchased at the Parking Services office.

  Oban Family Housing permits are VALID:

  • 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the parking area designated for your permit type

   Oban Family Housing permits are NOT VALID:

  • In other campus lots at any time