UK Commute Club: Enhancing Alternative Transportation Options
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 3, 2018) — Beginning July 1, University of Kentucky Transportation Services will be expanding the ways it supports UK students and employees who choose to opt out of purchasing a parking permit through the establishment of the UK Commute Club.
Commute Club, which is free, is designed to facilitate mobility alternatives at UK by providing members with amenities that make it more convenient to walk, pedal or ride to campus, regardless of whether they’ve been in the habit for years or are switching transportation modes for the first time.
“We are excited to grow the ways that we encourage UK students and employees to opt out of driving alone,” said Lance Broeking, director of UK Transportation Services. “The Commute Club will benefit the campus, the community and the environment by lessening demand for campus parking and reducing traffic congestion.”
Commute Club enhances the existing suite of alternative transportation options available to the UK community, which includes free transit rides through the BluPass partnership with Lextran, the bike voucher program, the cash out program and Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library. Commute Club members will have access to additional amenities which will vary based on user group. They are as follows:
- Residential students: Zipcar (car sharing) driving credits; access to Big Blue Cycles fleet (limited availability).
- Commuter students: Guaranteed Ride Home; ability to purchase single-day parking permits.
- Employees: Guaranteed Ride Home; Zipcar (car sharing) driving credits; ability to purchase single-day parking permits.
The Guaranteed Ride Home program offers a way to get home when a Commute Club member has an unexpected schedule change or their commuting alternative does not meet their needs.
Bike sharing will soon be available on campus and bike sharing credits will be a Commute Club amenity for certain user groups. More details will be announced at a later date.
Participation in Commute Club requires a car-free commitment that will restrict the member from purchasing a regular vehicle parking permit for one year and will require attendance at a short program orientation.
Those who may be interested in transportation alternatives but are unsure of what route to take are encouraged to take advantage of free personalized commute planning assistance offered by Transportation Services.
Commute Club aligns with the goals set forth in the UK Transportation Master Plan, which aims to improve access and mobility to, from and around campus for all members of the UK community.
Interested students and employees should apply online at www.uky.edu/transportation/help-and-resources_commute-club-form. The deadline to apply is Saturday, June 30, 2018. Those interested are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. For more information on Commute Club, visit www.uky.edu/transportation/commuteclub.