Navigating through IU

There are a lot of great things about our campus, but it is understandable how some students have trouble navigating from home to class, around campus and back home. For those not yet acquainted with their way around Bloomington, the following are a few tips you may not know that could help you cut down on your travel time and energy:

Bus Service
The University tells us that the buses are free, but the cost is really already included in tuition. You are paying for the bus, so it is worthwhile to use it. For students living near the stadium, the A and X buses can be a huge help.

The X bus goes directly from the stadium to the Union, and the A goes down Fee Lane, around campus and back to the stadium. If you live on North Jordan, the B bus can help you out, going all the way from the Jordan extension around campus. For students living near Union Street or on the south side of campus, the D and E buses are convenient.

Bloomington Transit also has buses to get around the city. Students frequently use the 6 and 9 routes, with 9 running out to College Mall, where students can fulfill any shopping needs.

A full list of campus bus services are listed at www.iubus.indiana.edu/campus_bus/index.html, and city bus services are at www.bloomingtontransit.com

Biking
If walking is not your thing and you do not have a car, go for a bike. They are cheap, but you must buy a one-time $10.00 bike permit. One permit is valid for as long as you own that bike. The Bloomington Community Bike Project is a great source for bikes, some costing as little as $40 to $50. Volunteering is also an option for those who wish to hone their bike repair skills, and it can earn you a bike for free.

Driving
If you own a car, you won’t have much luck getting from class to class with it. Most freshmen will only be able to get an E permit, which cost $100.80 last year. The E permit allows for parking in E spots, mostly located at the stadium. So, if you do decide to bring a car, plan to park far away or deal with the dreaded yellow ticket underneath your windshield.

For more information on parking on campus, visit www.parking.indiana.edu/parking_operations/default.aspx.

Walking
This is the main mode of transportation for a lot of students. It is not bad, especially if you know all the places to cut through. If you are coming from North Fee, cutting through the Arboretum helps. If you are at Eigenmann, walk through the apartments to reach Seventh Street. As you familiarize yourself more with campus, you will find shortcuts of your own. But, just walking fast with some headphones on can be a breeze.