From free rides on public transit, economical permits, and affordable and sustainable transportation, WashU provides a range of commuting options to get you to, from and around campus. As you consider your options for next year, take a look at what’s new for the year ahead. We will continue to provide updates here so be sure to check back.
New in 2024-2025
FL24 Shuttle Updates
- Parking & Transportation has made important updates to our shuttle services, effective Monday, August 26, 2024. These changes aim to streamline our transportation options and improve overall efficiency based on ridership data. For detailed information on the new shuttle schedules and routes, please visit Fall 2024 Shuttle Schedule Updates.
Our Office has Moved!
- Due to construction in the Women’s Building, the Parking and Transportation Services team along with Campus Card Services relocated this summer. Find us in the Mallinckrodt Center at 6465 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 201A, next to the Bank of America ATM. Our hours are 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. Contact us with any questions.
Permit Pricing for 2024-2025 Available:
- Find the Right Commute for YOU! View the 2024-2025 permit pricing here. Upcoming year pricing valid from August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025. Current 2023-2024 permit pricing until July 31, 2024.
- 2024-2025 Permits will be sold online only via the Danforth Campus parking portal. Only the parking permits for which you are eligible will be listed in the portal and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Looking to spend less on parking? We encourage you to consider smarter commuting options such as registering for the Metro U-Pass for free and unlimited rides on the St. Louis region’s public transit system.
Dates to Know:
- Register for Employee U-Pass: Registration is LIVE on the portal here on the Metro U-Pass webpage.
- Register for your 2024-2025 Parking Permit starting:
- Undergraduate Students (must be eligible): July 17, 2024
- Faculty and Staff: June 19, 2024
- Graduate Students (must be eligible): July 10, 2024
- Get your Parking Permit in person! Visit the University Services Center on or after August 1 during business hours or join us at our distribution events on the following dates from 11am to 2pm:
- July 24: Edison Family Courtyard
- July 31: Danforth University Center (DUC), Room 276
What happened in 2023-2024?
The U-Pass program provides free and unlimited rides on the St. Louis region’s public transit system. With the U-Pass, you can access WashU campuses quickly and easily while enjoying a sustainable commute without the stress of driving or parking – at no cost to you.
- Benefits-eligible employees as well as full-time employees of basic service contractors receive a free Metro U-Pass provided by WashU.
- Live near campus? There are MetroLink stations and MetroBus stops on or very near our campuses.
- Don’t live close to a stop? Parking is free with Metro Park-Ride lots, many of which are located at MetroLink train stations. You can also bike to a nearby bus or train station and bring your bicycle onboard. Learn how here.
- The Call-A-Ride service provides additional ADA accommodations to eligible customers who live within ¾ of a mile from a MetroBus stop.
- Citizens for Modern Transit, through the Guaranteed Ride Home program, provides carpool members who enroll up to four subsidized rides home from campus per year in case of an emergency. Rides are reimbursed 80 percent up to $60.
This permit is for those who want to save money but prefer the convenience of driving a personal vehicle.
- ParkSmart permits are available for only $42.
- A change from previous years, this flat rate is available to all faculty, staff, students, and contractors, regardless of income level or office location.
- You can use WashU’s robust shuttle system and/or Metro to commute between campuses.
To learn more about ParkSmart, visit our ParkSmart webpage.
This cost-saving option is available to eligible full-time Danforth faculty and staff who are interested in commuting together while sharing the cost of a parking permit at drastically reduced rates.
- The total cost of a Bearly Drivers permit will be half the price of a Danforth Campus Yellow parking permit. The reduced cost is then split between all members of the registered carpool.
- Bearly Drivers parking will also now be permitted in any yellow space, in any zone, throughout the Danforth Campus.
- For your convenience, there are numerous commuter lots located directly off main highways where you can meet your carpool partner.
- You can also enroll in the Guaranteed Ride Home program, which provides carpool members up to four free rides home from campus per year in case of an emergency. Rides are reimbursed 100 percent up to $125.
Learn more and apply for your permit on the Bearly Drivers Carpool webpage. To find WashU carpool or bikepool partners based on your schedule, route and preferences, visit WashU Rides.
As always, the Parking and Transportation team recommends choosing sustainable, smart commuting options whenever possible. Learn more about the many options and resources available to you on our Smart Commute webpage.
Garage Parking Rates for 2023-2024
Effective August 1, 2023