Transportation
The cost of getting to and from class depends on how far away you live from campus. Commuters have the option of driving to campus and parking in the commuter lots. Others may opt to ride the bus. Those living in University Apartments are not permitted to drive or park on campus unless they are Graduate Assistants or have faculty/staff stickers.
CATA
(517) 394-1000
www.cata.org
All bus service for the MSU campus and the greater Lansing area is provided by the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA). CATA operates campus service to University apartments, residence halls, commuter lots, and the main campus, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week during Fall and Spring semester. Additionally, CATA provides direct service to many off-campus apartments in the Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos and Haslett areas year round.
The discounted student cash fare is 50¢. MSU student customers must show the bus driver a valid MSU ID to qualify for the 50¢ fare. Students may also purchase a CATA 31-day pass for $14; a Semester Pass for $45; or a Commuter Lot Pass for $16.50/semester. Passes are available at most residence hall managers’ offices, MSU Police, University Apartments office, and the MSU Union. Children under 42” ride for free. The non-student adult fare is $1. All fares and passes (with the exception of the Commuter Lot Route pass) are good for all on and off campus fixed-route transit services. Free transfers are available on all buses.
“We’ll Come to You” Services
(517) 432-8888
CATA provides curb-to-curb transportation on MSU’s campus. Call from any campus phone when you are ready for a ride. A small bus will arrive within 20 minutes of your call to take you to your campus destination. No advance reservations will be accepted.
Fixed Route Campus Service
Four campus routes provide daytime service Monday through Friday, beginning at 7:00 AM and operating until 7:00 PM. Evening service begins on three routes at 7:00 PM and operates until 2:00 AM. The same three routes provide weekend service to MSU from 9:00 AM until 2:00 AM.
Lot Link
Mon-Fri, 7:00 PM-2:00 AM, Sat-Sun, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM. The Lot Link provides evening and weekend campus service between MSU’s student parking Lots 83, 89, or 91 and other campus locations. Rides are restricted to campus only and each trip must begin or end at one of the three lots. If you’re at a parking lot, you can wait in a bus shelter or in your vehicle. If in a vehicle, signal the bus driver with your headlights to let them know you need a ride.
Night Owl
Mon-Fri, 2:00 AM-7:00 PM, Sat-Sun, 2:00 AM-9:00 PM. The Night Owl provides late night/early morning campus service at times when other services are not running. Rides are restricted to campus only.
CATA’s Spec-Tran
(517) 353-9643
(517) 355-1293 (TTY)
Advance reservation curb to curb service is provided to individuals who have permanent or temporary physical disabilities preventing them from using regularly scheduled buses. Customers must be certified to be eligible to use Spec-Tran service. The CATA cash fare for this service is $2 per trip. Discount fare cards are available for Spec-Tran certified students through the RCPD office.
MSU/CATA Transportation Center (MSU-CTC)
This indoor facility is the main boarding center for CATA bus routes serving campus. It is located on the ground level of the Shaw Ramp, between North and South Shaw Lanes, just east of the MSU Planetarium. Convenient amenities include phone access to CATA’s customer service and Ride Request Line, print maps and timetables, direct access to the Shaw Ramp, comfortable indoor seating areas, a community policing office, Sparty Convenience Store, ATM, vending machines and restrooms. The facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Parking Enforcement Division
87 Red Cedar Road, MSU
(517) 355-8440
www.police.msu.edu
Motorized vehicles (including motorcycles and mopeds) and bicycles that are parked or operated on campus must be registered with the MSU Parking Office. The Parking Office issues permits for parking of motorized vehicles and bicycles on campus. Failure to register your vehicle as well as non-compliance with University parking ordinances and regulations may result in tickets and fines. Go to the website to view the Student Parking Regulations. Pay particular attention to the regulations that apply to your permit as well as violation (tickets and fines) information. Other parking and MSU Police information can be viewed online.
Graduate Assistants
With a valid permit properly displayed on the vehicle, graduate assistants may park in employee spaces south of the Red Cedar River. The 2007-2008 graduate assistant permits are available to purchase on-line.
Commuters
Persons residing off-campus, who are not graduate assistants, are considered commuter students. With a valid permit properly displayed on the vehicle, commuters have the option of parking in Lot 89 (corner of Farm Lane and Mt. Hope Road) or in the campus pay lots (some at a reduced rate). A commuter may purchase a 2007-2008 parking permit on-line.
University Apartments Residents
With a valid permit properly displayed on the vehicle, residents of Cherry Lane and Spartan Village Apartments may park in their assigned apartment area and in the campus pay lots (some at a reduced rate). University Apartment residents may purchase a 2007-2008 parking permit on-line. Each apartment may be issued a complimentary visitor permit. Should the visitor permit be lost or stolen, or you have additional guests, one-day and weekend permits are available at a nominal fee. Lost or stolen complimentary visitor permits will not be replaced.
Bicycle Registration
Bicycles must be registered on campus, otherwise, they may be impounded and a fee assessed for recovering the bicycle. The Parking Office provides bicycle permits at no charge. To register, go to the MSU Police website. Along with the make and color of the bicycle, the serial number or a self-appointed number that is at least five (5) digits long and engraved or stamped into the frame of the bicycle must be included when registering it.
Parking Services
Parking Services is responsible for enforcement of University parking ordinances and regulations utilizing civilian student employees. In addition, it provides vehicle “jump starts” for motorists on campus, can contact a towing company if your vehicle is disabled, provide a free gallon of gas, and cut bike locks.
Parking Questions
MSU Parking Office
87 Red Cedar Road, MSU
East Lansing MI 48824 (517) 355-8440
www.police.msu.edu
Office Hours:
7:15 AM – 5:00 PM
Monday – Friday
MSU Bikes Service Center
B10 Bessey Hall, MSU
(517) 432-3400
www.bikes.msu.edu
bikes@msu.edu
The MSU Bikes Service Center, located in the center of campus under the Bessey Hall auditorium just 200 ft. northwest of the Farm Lane Bridge, provides a full range of bicycle repair services for varying fees.
Bike rentals (short and long term) are also offered as are a variety of bike-related accessories (tires, tubes, lights, fenders, helmets, tools, oils, etc.). Other services include free 24-hour air access, bike storage, bike assembly (for those shipping their bikes to MSU), and a ‘do-it-yourself’ bench can also be rented for those who know how to do their own repairs.
A number of classes related to bicycling maintenance, safety, and commuting are also offered. A growing library of bike books and videos/DVDs can also be checked out for free. The Center’s hours vary by semester; check the web site for current hours or call.