Commuting

Reconsidering the ways in which we commute daily can greatly reduce our impact on the environment.  We can also commute with our health in mind, reducing air pollution and get a little exercise in the process.

Bicycling

Commuting by bike requires no cost for gas, gives you plenty of exercise and keeps you in the fresh and open air.  There is a very active bike community in New Haven with three bike repair shops, community bike rides (e.g. Critical Mass is every last Friday of the month starting at the New Haven Green at 5:30 pm) and a city-wide bike advocacy group, Elm City Cycling. 

Buses

CTTransit runs the bus system in the New Haven area, running buses throughout the city and into West Haven, East Haven, North Haven, Hamden, Wallingford, and Waterbury.  Click here for schedules and route maps.

Trains

Metro-North Railroad is the rail service between New Haven and New York City, stopping at Milford, Stratford, Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford.  It also has Waterbury, Danbury and New Canaan lines.  It is a fast and inexpensive way to travel to New York City and/or around Connecticut.

Bikes are allowed on the train with a $5 bike pass that can purchased from Metro-North.

Shore Line East is the rail service between New Haven and New London, stopping at Branford, Guilford, Madison and Old Saybrook.

Campus Shuttle

SCSU offers free campus shuttles to Union Station and other locations in the New Haven area for students, staff and faculty daily.  A SCSU ID is required to ride.  

Carpooling

Carpooling greatly reduces the consumption of gas and the need for parking on campus.  

Special Programs to Assist Commuters

NuRide

NuRide, an online ride-matching network, is a free service that is supported by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Sponsors provide rewards and special offers to NuRide members for taking greener trips and reducing global warming, traffic congestion and energy consumption

R.I.D.E.S. (Reducing Individual Dangers and Encouraging Safety)

R.I.D.E.S is a program designed to offer students a responsible mode of transportation when one is needed. R.I.D.E.S. allows students to obtain their very own Metro Card assigned to their individual student ID number. Students can register for their card at the Drug and Alcohol Resource Center. Once registered, students may call any Metro Taxi in Connecticut at any time, and swipe their Metro Card to pay for the charge.

U-Pass

The U-Pass is a special transportation pass for eligible Southern students that is valid for unlimited trips during the fall and spring semesters on all CTTRANSIT local buses. The U-Pass gives you transportation freedom with no out-of-pocket expense.

Zipcar

Zipcar is wheels when you want them, literally. Southern has partnered with Zipcar to bring two cars to campus. Cars are available on-demand 24/7, to be reserved online by the hour or day. A great alternative to car rental or ownership!