Getting where you need to go

It’s hard enough to take care of your own transportation, let alone that of a child who no longer lives at home. We might not have the perfect solution for every travel situation, but try one (or several) of these ideas as a starting point.

Campus and Bloomington buses
If you choose not to bring your car, don't freak out. There are plenty of ways to get around campus and Bloomington thanks to the IU and Bloomington Transit bus systems. IU has its own fleet of buses with multiple routes going to all part of campus.

By showing your student ID, you can jump on the green-striped Bloomington Transit buses. With routes that go to downtown, the mall and Wal-Mart, you can always get where you need to go off campus.

Need a late night ride on the weekend? After 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, IU and Bloomington Transit offer the Night Owl bus line, running until 4:30 a.m.

Having a car on campus
Bringing a car to campus can be tricky for freshmen. A parking spot near their residence hall is not guaranteed and in most cases, pretty rare. Most freshmen are granted an E parking permit that allows them to park in the stadium parking lot – a far walk for some students. Also, cars must be moved to designated spots for all home football and men’s basketball games.

Another drawback: Virtually all street and parking lot space in Bloomington and on campus requires the correct permit. If a student’s car is caught parked in the wrong area – even for five minutes – one of the campus transportation officers will leave a ticket that will be charged to your student’s bursar bill. If you’re footing the bill and your student has a car on campus, make sure you talk responsible parking. Tickets can get hefty and are passed out frequently. (If you need proof, take a look at the enormous Student Recreational Sports Center. It’s been said that the construction was funded by parking-ticket revenue.) Also, be wary that if your student has a car, most likely there will be more than one friend asking for the keys.

To purchase a parking permit for a bike or vehicle, visit www.parking.indiana.edu or call 812-855-9848.

Car trouble
The parking enforcement office offers motorist assistance to all students who have “legitimate parking business on campus.” The best part: It’s totally free up to three times a year. After three calls for help, there will be a $30 charge, payable via your student’s bursar account.

Motorist Assistance will only help with the basics: dead batteries, flat tires, empty gas tanks and keys that are locked inside a car. But, sometimes, that’s just enough. If your student’s car does need further attention, you can ask them for a good reference.
Motorist Assistance is available from 7:30 a.m. to midnight on weekdays only. Call 812-844-9849 to put in a request.