Transport

We encourage sustainable travel choices for getting to and from campus each day, attending conferences out of town or getting from campus to campus.

Transport is responsible for just under half of our carbon footprint.

While we've been promoting more sustainable transport options and alternatives, we still have a lot more to do.

Sustainable transport

We encourage sustainable travel choices for getting to and from campus each day, attending conferences out of town or getting from campus to campus.

For many students and staff, the commute to and from the University is the biggest component of their individual carbon footprint. There are many sustainable options for getting to campus, and lots of people using them. 45 percent walk or run, 24 percent catch the bus, 12 percent drive, 11 percent take the train, 4 percent come as a passenger in a private vehicle, 3 percent cycle, and 2 percent use a motor bike or scooter. Over time more of our staff and students have started using sustainable transport modes, and our use of sustainable transport is much higher than average for Wellington and New Zealand.

Air travel is also a big issue for the University and we are taking steps to reduce that too. We generate over 50 million kilometres per year of air travel—over 17,000 flights. Most of this travel is to attend academic conferences, that enhance our research and connect us to the world.

What are we doing?

We have worked with the Regional Council to enhance the public transport service to the University, including the introduction of tertiary student discounts. We're increasing the provision of bike storage and showers on campus, there is more space provided for mopeds and the walkways on campus are better lit. Car parking space is decreasing and getting more expensive. Approval of air travel is considered very carefully, and the use of video conferencing alternatives are increasing.

Getting to campus

Walking

Walking is a great option to save money. Wellington is a very compact and walkable city, with heaps of pedestrian shortcuts. Check out our walking map pdf4MB to help you find your way to campus.

Cycling

Get fit and energised on the way to campus. Wellington has a growing network of cycle lanes. Use Wellington - Journey Planner to plan your cycle journey, considering bike paths and traffic. Check out our campus maps to find out where to park your bike when you get to campus. There is a secure enclosure for staff and post-graduates in the basement of the Alan MacDiarmid building and 85 Fairlie Terrace–contact Security to get access.

Kelburn staff can borrow our eBike for business journeys and to commute between campuses and the CBD. Find out more here.

Public transport

The iconic Wellington cable car runs past the Kelburn campus. The Metlink network of trains and buses can get you to all our campuses. Use the journey planner to work out when, where, and what services to catch. There is a 25% discount for all full-time students, and everyone travelling off-peak when using a Snapper card. Many of the train stations around the region have park and ride facilities.

All buses running regular Metlink services come with a bike rack fitted plus bikes and scooters can be carried on most trains and ferries.

Hire Scooters and Bikes

In Wellington city, you can hire Flamingo Scooters and Bikes for getting around. Staff can get a special discount on rides here and students can  get a discount by:

• Signing up for the Flamingo App
• Select "Change Plan" from the payment screen
• Upload a photo of your Student ID
• You will be transferred to the Student Plan; 50c to unlock and 32c per minute

If you're living in Porirua, you can use Beam scooters for getting around.

Carpooling

Get a carpooling group together to share costs, or socialise, on the way to campus.

Electric Car Hire

Mevo allows for short term electric car hire for getting around Wellington or driving to the airport. You can find out more about Mevo and apply for a business account (with discount) here.

Showers

If you want to freshen up after a run or bike to campus, you can find showers at these campus locations.

Kelburn

• Easterfield: levels 2 and 6
• Laby: basement
• Hunter: Level 3, staff only
• Murphy: Level 1
• Alan MacDiarmid: levels 1 and 2
• Rec Centre: Level 4

Pipitea

• Rutherford House: basement gym
• Government Buildings: ground floor

Te Aro

• Vivian Street: basement and level 1

Intercampus snapper

We provide free bus travel for students travelling between campuses for classes through VUWSA who also tops up student passes. Staff Snapper cards can be topped up using a Pcard.  We suggest keeping a ‘pool’ of Snapper cards handy for your team and one person, with a Pcard, topping them up when needed.

Snapper machine locations:

Kelburn

Opposite the Unichem University Pharmacy in The Hub area
Student Union Building (VUWSA)

Pipitea

Ground floor Rutherford House
Freemans Lotto and News Agency, 19 Lambton Quay
Bus Stop Interchange A, 1-3 Lambton Quay

Te Aro

Ground floor of the campus, outside VSLT1
Across the road at The Corner Store, 134 Vivian Street
At The Night ‘n Day, 139 Cuba Street