Alternative Transportation
With thousands of visitors, 30,000 employees and nearly 13,000 students, Duke encourages staff, faculty and students who commute to campus to explore alternative transportation options. Duke offers many options to save on fuel and parking fees while helping Duke contribute to its mission of creating a more sustainable campus.
Carpool
Local and regional bus transportation is provided off-campus by the Durham Area Transit Authority and Triangle Transit.
Discount Bus Passes
Duke also offers discount city and regional bus passes at a savings of up to 60 percent for students, staff and faculty.
Commuters who regularly participate in alternative transportation options such as riding a bus, using vanpool, carpooling, biking, or walking are eligible for an emergency ride home through Triangle Transit. Participants must register online for the program, and the ride is available only on the day alternative transportation was used.
Redefine Travel is a campaign designed for students by students to promote the benefits of, and be a resource for information about, alternative transportation.
As part of Duke's continuing efforts to create a more sustainable campus by reducing traffic, Parking and Transportation Services offers a carpool program with an array of incentives, including free and convenient parking for groups of four or more people. The carpool program is open to all Duke staff, faculty, and students who have a vehicle and live off-campus.
Bicycling
Staff, faculty and students who bike to Duke and do not regularly bring a vehicle to campus are not required to purchase a parking permit and may register as a bicycling commuter. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students can also borrow bikes through the Duke Bikes program.
Zipcar
Why bring a car to campus when you have access to Zipcar? Zipcar, the world's largest 24/7 car-sharing service, provides Duke students, faculty and staff with a convenient and eco-friendly way to get around – whether it’s running errands, driving around campus or taking a road trip.
Vanpool
Duke Parking & Transportation Services works with Triangle Transit to organize a vanpool program for employees. Not only do Triangle Transit vans park for free at Duke, but Triangle Transit provides the van, pays for gas and insurance, and arranges, oversees, and pays for all maintenance. Riders pay a low monthly fare based on monthly round-trip mileage. The primary driver does not pay.
Motorcycles & Scooters
At Duke, parking permits are required for all licensed vehicles, including motorcycles and scooters with engines larger than 50 cubic centimeters, an external shifting device or the capability to exceed 30 miles per hour on a level surface.
Walking
Many students, staff and faculty who live near Duke opt to walk to campus instead driving cars or riding buses.