Starting or returning to a college campus can be exciting and frightening as well when the practical issue of transportation arises. Students may find themselves wondering, “How can I get around without a car?” Fortunately, UMBC offers several transportation options such as Transit Services, Casual Carpooling, and Zipcar for those without private transportation or for those who just want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Students living on and off campus can board the seven Transit shuttles which connect students to downtown Arbutus and Catonsville, Arundel Mills Mall, shopping centers and grocery stores, apartment complexes, BWI airport, and Marc and Light Rail stations. Because the transportation fee is included in students’ mandatory tuition and fees, boarding is free-of-cost—students just swipe their red UMBC IDs to ride. Transit shuttle schedules can be located online atwww.umbc.edu/transit, and printed copies are available at the office of Off-Campus Student Services. All shuttles are equipped with bike racks (except the Wave ‘n Ride which loops the campus) and free WIFI. The Transit Tracker mobile application can be downloaded to smartphones or accessed on the Transit website to track the real-time location of all shuttles.

Transit shuttles do not connect students to downtown Baltimore. In order to get to the city, students can hop on the MTA #35 public bus which stops directly at UMBC. MTA public buses #77 and #99 also service the UMBC campus directly. A one-way ticket costs $1.60 and a day pass costs $3.50. Frequent MTA riders can opt to purchase a discounted student pass called the “All Access College Transit Pass” at the office of Off-Campus Student Services for $39. This pass provides unlimited access for one month on local buses, metro subway, and light rail in Maryland—Marc train and Commuter buses are not included with this pass. To purchase regular or students passes for Marc train or Commuter buses, visit the MTA website at http://mta.maryland.gov/.

If Transit Services or MTA can’t get students to their desired destination conveniently, Casual Carpooling is another option. A UMBC student carpooling community is growing online athttp://my.umbc.edu/groups/casualcarpooling. Students can join, connect, and create a carpool using the suggestions and carpooling etiquette tips provided. A carpool social was recently hosted by Off-Campus Student Services on September 11th to alleviate some of the awkwardness of carpooling with strangers for the first time. Students are encouraged to use a Zipcar as their carpooling vehicle.

Zipcar is a car-rental service available at UMBC for students, faculty, and staff. The traditional age requirement has been waived, so Zipcar membership is open to anyone 18 years old or older. UMBC campus community members can join for $25 and immediately receive $35 in driving credit as an incentive. Driving credit must be prepaid, and it includes gas and insurance costs. Two Zipcars are parked near UMBC’s Counseling Services on Center Road. More information about Zipcar can be found at http://www.zipcar.com/umbc.

University Health Services will be providing flu shots on Wednesday September 25th and Thursday September 26th on "Main Street" of the Commons (i.e. in front of the Campus Bookstore) from 11:00 to 2:00 each day.  All members of the campus community are welcome to attend.

Please bring your UMBC campus card for identification.

The cost is $20. Cash, personal check and "campus cash on the Red Card" will be accepted as forms of payment.  UHS staff will be able to provide a receipt at the clinics if students would like to submit those receipts to their health insurance companies for possible reimbursement.

If students prefered to have their insurance billed directly for the immunization, they must come to University Health Services to receive their vaccine.  They will need to bring a copy of their insurance card and a form of campus ID. Payment accepted at UHS is either check, campus card, or billing to a student account (students only).  University Health Services is located on the ground floor of Erickson Hall.

Individuals who cannot attend the clinic at the Commons may make appointments for the flu vaccine starting Monday September 16, 2013.  To make an appointment, please call the UHS front desk at 410-455-2542.

Thank you,

Jennifer K. Lepus