Transit, offered by TCAT, is a great way to get to Cornell from anywhere in the city, and even most of Tompkins County. It's often the best way to get around campus, too.

TCAT Public Transit Fares

• TCAT pay-as-you-go fares are currently $1.50.
• Monthly passes are $45
• Full-year passes are $495.
• More about TCAT transit service, schedules, and routes.

TCAT's CU ID Compatible Fare Boxes
TCAT's new fareboxes will read both the prox chip and the magnetic stripe on the Cornell picture ID card. You can find the details here.

All Students Receive unlimited Night and Weekend TCAT Bus Service
All registered students receive unlimited rides on all TCAT buses after 6 pm week-days, and anytime Saturday and Sunday when using their CU ID card at the farebox. Students must remain registered in order for their privileges to remain active.

OmniRide Transit Privileges
Need more than just night and weekend bus access? Purchase OmniRide privileges and use your CU ID card at the farebox for unlimited rides on all TCAT buses any time they run, anywhere they go in Tompkins County. Students must remain registered in order for their privileges to remain active.

• Students who purchase a B permit (commuter), MW, FH, or SE permit (grad housing resident) will automatically receive OmniRide privileges for no additional fee.
• WestCampus residents who purchase remote parking on North Campus (ND permit) will also receive no-fee OmniRide privileges.
• Student spouses with a CU ID can purchase OmniRide privileges only in our office at 116 Maple Ave.

No-Fee OmniRide Privileges
New-to-Cornell students entering in the 2008-2009 academic year will automatically receive, for one academic year, OmniRide privileges at no cost to them.

• OmniRide allows access to all TCAT buses, anytime they run, anywhere they go within the county.
• This program is offered to students in their first year as an introduction to the local transit service, and an inducement to leave the vehicle home.
• OmniRide privileges are accessed with the CU ID card at the farebox.
• Students must remain registered in order for their privileges to remain active.
• Academic year ends on August 31.

OmniRide Prices and Purchase Options

• Fall-semester OmniRide: $125, valid through 12/31/08
• Full-year OmniRide: $200, valid through 8/31/09
• OmniRide privileges are sold only by Cornell Transportation Services.
• You can purchase online or in our office at 116 Maple Ave.
• OmniRide Price Chart and Refund Policy
• If you choose not to order OmniRide privileges in advance and wait until later in the year, it may take up to three business days to activate your ID for use at the farebox.

Other Public Transit Providers

Out-Of-County Service Providers
Transit service from surrounding areas is available from the following providers:

• Chemung County Transit serves Elmira, Horseheads, Watkins Glen, and Ithaca
• Tioga County Public Transit serves Owego, Candor, Spencer, Van Etten, and Waverly
• Cortland Public Transit serves the Cortland area, with limited service to TC3 and Dryden

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Cycling is often the easiest way, healthiest, and quickest way to get around town and the campus. You must register your bike (for free!) if you bring it to campus. See our bike pages for a cycling map and cycling rules and tips.

If need a handicap parking or commuting accommodation this year, please be aware that all new and renewal requests need to be reevaluated by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please contact SDS for further information and instructions (607-254-4545).

On-campus parking (except in metered and most time-zones) and vehicle access to campus is by permit only Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. throughout the calendar year.

Complete information about campus parking rules can be found here.

Complete information about campus parking rules can be found here.

Notes for all permits:

• Permits are sold on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis
• No refunds on permits after March 31, 2009
• Permits valid September through August.
• Refund Policy
• Complete information about campus parking rules can be found here.

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Metered Parking
Sometimes, no matter what options you take advantage of, you may still need to make occasional daytime car trips to campus. Perhaps you'll choose to park in metered areas.

Carpooling
If you're a commuting student, you may want to consider sharing the ride with your fellow undergrad, graduate and professional students. Commuter parking permits are owned and paid for by one individual, and may have up to four license plates listed. You may choose to share the permit price and switch the permit among the listed vehicles.

For additional flexibility, graduate and professional students can purchase books of ten permits valid in A and B lot (see Occasional Parker, below). These permits enable you to park on those days that your carpool won't work.

Find a Carpool Partner
If you would like to form or increase a carpool, visit AlterNetRides, an active ridematching database, to help you find others with similar commuting needs. Add your information and search the database.

Occasional Parker -- For Grad and Professional Students Only
This program allows flexibility for graduate and professional students who normally cycle, get dropped off, or walk to campus. Occasional parkers may purchase books of ten one-day parking permits valid in A and B lots. The permits enable students to park on those days that their usual commuting method won't work.

Park and Ride Lot
Park-and-ride lots are handy for meeting a carpool or catching bus to campus with your OmniRide pass. Check the list of park and rides (TCAT's site).

Nursery School Permits
Students with children attending the nursery school program at Martha Van Rensselaer Hall can get a permit valid for 15 minutes in the drop-off and pick-up areas.

Emergency Ride
All students are eligible for Emergency Ride. If a personal emergency arises during the school or workday and you need to get to your car, home, or elsewhere, call 255-0000 (5-0000 from a campus phone). Commuter and Parking Services will get you where you need to go. The service operates from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For a medical, fire, or police emergency dial 911.

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The Online Advance Order Form for 2008-2009

• A CU Net ID is required to place your order.
• Fill out all information before submitting the form--we will be unable to process incomplete forms.
• Be certain that your request is accurate; you cannot make corrections or changes once you have pressed "submit."
• If you have to change information, contact Commuter and Parking Services in writing.
• Permit orders will be mailed to the local address you have on file with the Registrar. You can check and update your address at Just The Facts.
• A list of frequently asked questions about the Advance Order process can be found here.

Continue to Advance Order Site

Please note: The advance order website contains several forms for a number of Cornell departments. Please be sure to choose your status and complete the appropriate forms.

• All incoming freshman and transfer students submit forms via Cornell Bound.
• All incoming graduate and professional school students submit forms via Next Step.
• Forms for current undergraduate, graduate and professional students returning to a previously entered degree program are also hosted at this site.

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