Frequently Asked Questions

TravelSmart: Frequently Asked Questions

CONTACT 

If I run into any problems with the TravelSmart program or have any concerns, who should I contact?

You can email us at TravelSmart@unmc.edu or call 402.559-8580 (ext. 3).

COST

What is the cost to sign up for TravelSmart?

Zero! Yes, it’s FREE!  Sign-up is free and your free bus pass will continue to be free.  It’s not tied to your Metro Credit Union account; your badge is used to identify you as a rider.

TravelSmart is a perk and can save you money while reducing pollution and promoting a healthy lifestyle while also reducing parking pressure and traffic congestion.

If you choose to carpool and all members of the carpool turn in their parking permits, you will receive a FREE carpool pass to the best parking lot among you (your group’s choice). The person with the best parking lot must register first. 

SIGN UP 

How do I register for the TravelSmart program?

Click here to go to the TravelSmart registration page.

As a TravelSmart participant, can I use multiple active transportation modes and receive the corresponding program benefits?

Yes. You can use as many of the four active transportation modes as you like. As a registered TravelSmart participant, all program benefits are available to you. If you currently use or plan on using more than one active transportation mode, please make sure to mark the preferred modes when you register for the program. If you’ve already registered for the program, and you would like to start using a different/additional active transportation mode, please contact us at 402.559.8580 (ext. 3) or TravelSmart@unmc.edu so we can update your profile.

REQUIREMENTS 

If I sign up for the program, do I have to start using active transportation (biking, busing, carpooling, or walking)?  Is there a minimum number of times I must use my bus pass?

TravelSmart is a volunteer program. As a registered TravelSmart participant, you are not required to bike, bus, carpool, or walk a specific number of times. However, we strongly encourage you to periodically/regularly use active transportation to travel to and from campus.

The 3-month trial only applies to your parking permit should you choose to turn it in, it does not apply to using active transportation.

ELIGIBILITY 

Who is eligible to participate in TravelSmart?

At this time, the TravelSmart program is available to staff and students from UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, and Clarkson College who primarily work or study at the 42nd & Dewey campus or the Munroe-Meyer Institute. In the future, this program may be made available to other staff and students.

CANCEL PARKING PERMIT

If I currently have a parking permit, do I have to cancel it in order to participate in the TravelSmart program?

No. You do NOT have to cancel your parking permit to participate in TravelSmart. However, please note that during the program registration process, you will be presented with the option to keep or cancel your parking permit. We encourage you to consider canceling your permit, but it may not be the most desirable option for you from a financial perspective. Generally speaking, if you plan to regularly use active transportation more days per week than drive alone (e.g. 3 out of 5 days/week), it is financially advantageous to cancel your parking permit and pay for $3 daily rate flexible parking on the days you drive a vehicle to campus. However, if you plan to drive by yourself more days per week, it makes more financial sense to keep your parking permit and still use active transportation when you can. If you are uncertain about which option is best for you, please click on the TravelSmart Options Calculator, which can help you identify the option that makes the most sense financially. You can also contact us at 402.559.8580 (ext. 3) /  travelsmart@unmc.edu for assistance.

Daily Rate Flexible Parking is available if you need to drive to campus and don’t have a permit.  It’s cheap, stalls are located in parking lots across campus, and you can pay via smartphone or website.

If your carpool partner isn’t coming to work, you can still use your carpool pass.  If you are both driving that day, one can use the carpool pass and the other can use Daily Rate Flexible Parking.

The 3-month trial starts when you turn your permit in.  You save money while you test out TravelSmart, and get your same permit back if you still want it.

IF you decide to turn your parking permit in, you can do so at anytime: when you first register or after you have been using active transportation for a while; whatever works best for you.

NO PARKING PERMIT 

If I am a new student or employee who does not have a parking permit and I register for TravelSmart, can I still obtain a parking permit at a later date?

Yes. If you are a new student or employee and you register for the TravelSmart program, you can still obtain a parking permit at any point in the future. Parking assignments are based on space availability, rank, and start date. You will need to visit Parking Services (402.559.8580) to obtain a parking permit.

TRIAL PERIOD

When does the trial period start?

The trial period only applies if you turn in your parking permit.  You can try out various active transportation modes for as long as you would like and there is no minimum usage required.  IF you turn in your parking permit, you have 90 days from the day Parking Services receives it to request it back for your original lot.  If you do that, you are guaranteed the same lot back.  If you do so after the 90 days you may get the same lot back, or you may not; it depends on availability.  IF you decide to turn your parking permit in, you can do so at any time: when you first register or after you have been using active transportation for a while; whatever works best for you.

BUS MAP

I can’t find your bus map, where is it located?

Due to the large number of routes and stops located around campus, as well as the variety of routes people take to get here, we recommend you use the maps and route information on Metro’s website.  It will always display the most updated information and you can look at a system map or maps of individual routes.  If you have any problems or questions on their website, please feel free to contact us at  402.559-8580 (ext. 3), TravelSmart@unmc.edu, and/or Metro’s customer service: 402-341-0800.

SEASONAL 

If I prefer to only participate in TravelSmart (i.e., use active transportation) during certain seasons, can I cancel my permit and then request it back during the off season(s) that I want to drive by myself to campus?

You can cancel your parking permit at any time; however, after 3 months, you are not guaranteed your original/same parking lot. In essence, if you cancel your parking permit as part of the registration process for TravelSmart, your current parking assignment will be available for 3 months from the date you sign up for the program. If you decide you want your parking permit back within this 3-month grace period, a permit for your original lot will be reissued. If you request your parking permit back after 3 months, parking will be reassigned based on space availability.  However, we strongly discourage the idea of repeatedly canceling/requesting a parking permit. If you plan to only use active transportation during certain seasons, we encourage you to sign up for the TravelSmart program but keep your parking permit (and continue paying the regular parking fee).

PARKING SERVICES ADDRESS 

If I would like to cancel my parking permit and interoffice mail it back to Parking Services, what is the department’s campus zip?

Parking Services’ campus zip = 5001. Please note that only TravelSmart participants who plan to bus, bike, or walk can return their parking permits via interoffice mail. If you are a carpooler and your carpool group wants to cancel your parking permits in order to obtain a free carpool pass, you and your carpool partner(s) must visit Parking Services in person and return all of your parking permits at the same time. A carpool pass will not be issued unless all parking permits are returned at the same time in person.

CAMPUS CHANGES 

Have you considered renting bicycles for people on campus to use?

Yes.  Heartland B-cycle, which allows individuals to rent bicycles to use for short time periods, has six locations on our campus.  UNO and Midtown Crossing also have B-Cycle stations, which will provide additional options to travel to those locations.

Some days I need to use my car for work purposes but I still want to use active transportation.  What can I do?

You may use active transportation on the days that you do not need your car.  On the other days, you can drive your personal vehicle and, if you do NOT have a parking permit, park in Daily Rate Flex Parking.

SHUTTLE

Will there be a shuttle running from campus to places we can park?

Since its launch in August 2024, the shuttle service program has adapted to make it as efficient as possible for users.

Shuttle users are now able to download the app “TransLoc” from either the Google Play (android devices) or the Apple App Store on their personal mobile device. Or download it via this QR code. 

When users open the app for the first time, they should choose “UNMC Shuttle.” They then will be able to see the shuttle routes and how far away a shuttle is to their stop via GPS tracking. Users also can track the shuttle on its route without downloading the app by going to this route link.  

To learn more, visit the TransLoc app website. 

The shuttles will make seven stops along its route. Click here for the most current shuttle program information.

• Lot 63 
• Lauritzen Outpatient Center 
• Michael F. Sorrell Center 
• Durham Outpatient Center 
• Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 
• Lots 56 and 57 
• Clarkson Tower 

For questions or concerns about the shuttle:
Phone: 402-559-3223
Email: Fleetops@nebraskamed.com
Lost & Found: Please contact Public Safety 

Leaders continue to review the efficiency of campus routes. Shuttle rides are free and available to all med center employees, students and patients. If a colleague is leaving work outside of the shuttle operating schedule and would like to be escorted by security, call Public Safety at 402-559-5111.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE PARKING 

Are there reserved stalls for electric vehicles to charge their batteries?

Level II charging:

Chargepoint stations are on campus and ready to be used. These stations will charge personal electric vehicles (EV) faster than a standard outlet, with a full charge possible in four hours or less.

These stations are a product of a partnership with OPPD and with a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) in coordination with the Nebraska Community Energy Alliance (NCEA).
There are two locations on campus:

• A station with two stalls in Lot 34 on Emile Street between Shackelford Hall and the Central Utility Plant; and
• A station with two stalls in Lot 21 by the entrance to the middle level of the Lauritzen Outpatient Center.

The rate to charge is $0.50 for up to four hours daily. After four hours the rate is $3 per hour. Please limit the usage of the charging station to sessions no longer than four hours per day. Failure to observe these restrictions may subject the vehicle to a violation, in addition to the higher hourly rate fee. These stalls are for active charging parking only. Once you are done charging, the vehicle must be moved to allow other users to access the EV charging station. Both charging stations are available to students, colleagues and the public.

To use a Chargepoint station you can sign up for free online. Drivers can use a card Chargepoint issues to start a charging session or use the free Chargepoint app, both of which are good at the nearly 110,000 Chargepoint stations. Different Chargepoint stations may charge different amounts per hour. Many more stations are available across the Omaha metro area and Nebraska.

Providing charging stations for electric vehicles is an important step in advancing electric vehicle use. As efficiency goes up and OPPD increases the amount of renewable energy they provide, emissions will go down. This is better for our local air quality and our health.