Sustainable travel
We aim to make travelling around campus better for everyone and to ease pressure on the environment at the same time.
We have over 18,000 students and 3,800 staff who study, live or work at the University, and many more people visit our campus for events like conferences, open days, public lectures and graduations.
So the potential implications for congestion and air pollution from traffic are significant.
As well as developing the public transport links to and from campus, and the free bus services between Campus East and West, we are managing the number of vehicles on campus by implementing the various schemes below.
Fewer car journeys
Supporting flexible hybrid working has reduced car journeys to campus by 21% since 2019
Reducing emissions
We’re working towards reducing carbon emissions from commuting further - by 33% compared to 2019
Supporting cyclists
We arrange monthly Bike Doctor cycle repair sessions on campus
Travelling by bike or foot
Walking or cycling could save you time in the long run. You’ll avoid queuing for the bus and will leave spaces available for those who most need them most. Keeping active is great for your physical and mental wellbeing and will help reduce your carbon footprint too.
The cycle pool scheme
Staff or student? Try out cycling to work or lectures, enjoy the outdoors and exercise when you want by hiring a bike through the cycle pool scheme. Available for a maximum of 4 weeks at a time with a £20 deposit required, and available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Interested in booking a bike? The Travel and Transport team will be happy to help you, they are located in the Dalham Farm Mailroom or you can contact them on transport-team
Cycletowork salary exchange scheme
Staff can save up to 42 per cent on purchasing a bike with our Cycletowork staff salary exchange scheme.
Discount student bus pass
Get unlimited First York bus travel when you buy an annual student pass, receive discounts on monthly or Yorkey card 20-trip tickets, or pay a reduced rate for travel between the railway station and the University campus. Remember to show your University ID when using the discounted bus passes.
Discount staff bus pass
Get unlimited First York bus travel with an annual pass, exclusive to University staff. Receive discounts on monthly or 20-trip tickets, or pay a reduced rate between the railway station and campus on any First service as long as you show your staff card.
- Travelling further afield? The Adult 12 Month Gold Pass can be used on Yorkshire Coastliner and Transdev York buses, including between Leeds and Harrogate.
- Staff can also get an interest-free loan for annual bus tickets.
Travelling by car
Enterprise Car Club
Only need a car occasionally? We have an Enterprise Car Club bay in the Information Centre car park, with other locations available within walking distance of campus.
Conditions of use: Be a minimum of 19 years of age and have at least one year's driving experience.
Electric vehicle charging
Electric Vehicle charging points are available on Campus for use by University staff. Five double chargers are located in the Church Lane Building car park, operated by Pod Point.
Charging costs £0.39/hour for the first four hours and £2.00/hour thereafter to encourage users to move their vehicle once charged. Please note that you will be charged £2.00/hour whilst you are still plugged into the units even if your vehicle is fully charged.
To register to use these charging points, email: parking-permits@york.ac.uk. After confirmation, you'll need to download the Pod Point app to your phone and register with your University email.
Sustainable travel research
As well as the development of our Sustainable Travel Plan 2022 - 2025 (PDF 
, 494kb), our Science and Technology Studies Unit (SATSU) has led several government-sponsored projects aimed at understanding people's travel habits, especially as they relate to cycling to and from work.
