Operations & Sustainability

Sustainability highlights operations of Parking and Transit Services

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln provides a diverse range of transportation options which allow students, faculty and visitors to make economically and environmentally friendly commuting choices. Parking and Transit Services incorporates a full spectrum of sustainable initiatives into daily operations.

Public Transportation

Parking and Transit Services provides and supports a public transportation system that connects campuses and the city.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln contracts with the City of Lincoln StarTran system to operate bus routes Monday through Friday when classes are in session approximately 10-minute intervals reducing the need to drive between campuses. With nearly 9,00 users serving approximately 800.000 trips system wide, the  system of bus routes connecting the UNL campuses is designed to ensure timely, cost effective, and simple access to classes or meetings across the university community. As part of the contract, all bus riders have access to the StarTran service throughout the city.  Parking and Transit Services also provides van service to connect East Campus and Nebraska Innovation Campus when classes are in session.

On-call van service provides evening rides

University students can take advantage of an evening on-call van transportation service at no cost. The service provides rides between designated campus bus stops after the end of daily bus route schedules. The service is available weekdays in perimeter permit areas beginning at 6 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at designated campus bus stops.

Visit Bus and Van services for details.

Electric vehicle charging and operation

Charging stations for electric vehicles are available on campus

Parking and Transit Services provides access to electric vehicle charging stations on campus. 
On City Campus, four charging stations are located on 14th Street in parking spots west of Howard L. Hawks Hall. On East Campus, two charging stations are available north of the Union.
The charging stations are powered by EV Connect. The EV Connect app lets drivers find electric vehicle charging stations based on location, station ID, availability, power level provided, and accessibility.
Campus stations are available 24 hours a day for use by the campus community and general public. Vehicles may remain parked in charging stations only during active charging sessions.

 For Fiscal Year 2022, UNL charging sessions have:

• Saved 814 gallons of gasoline,
• Provided 33,842 electric miles,
• Reduced 7,237 Kilograms greenhouse gas emissions
• 8.12 Carbon Offset Credits
• Equivalent to 201 trees CO2 scrubbers

Electric cars are used for staff operations

Parking and Transit Services has replaced two traditional fuel powered vehicles with Chevrolet Bolt electric powered vehicles and we will replace another two vehicles in our fleet this year. Currently, two electric vehicles are available for on-campus work by department employees.

Lighting in garages and surface lots

Parking and Transit Services has continually updated lighting tools and technology in campus parking lots and garages. With the installation of LED lighting, energy savings are produced and utility costs are lowered. A complete conversion to LED lighting has been completed in the 17^th and R and 19^th and Vine Garages. Induction lighting provides lower energy usage for the 14^th and Avery and 18^th and R Garages.

 Evaluations and planning for lighting conversions are in process for the Stadium Garage and surface lots across all campuses.

Waste water management

Demonstrating a continuing commitment to using appropriate design, materials and construction, Parking and Transit Services has implemented effective storm water management techniques.

In the 14^th and Avery and 19^th and Vine Garages, structure design provides rainwater drainage from the top decks to underground storage areas. The excess water and debris are processed and debris does not enter the city’s runoff systems.

The 18^th and Vine Garage also features design elements that drain water to the east side of the facility to provide water for adjacent landscape plants.

Carpool Parking Permit

Parking and Transit Services encourages ride-sharing by offering a Carpool Parking Program Permit. It allows faculty and staff to share rides to campus, reduce resource usage, and share reduced costs for the parking permit. 

Department Year-to-Year Budget

Parking and Transit Services is primarily a self-funded University department. All funds needed to operate the parking system are generated through the sale of parking permits, the citations issued, special event parking, etc. Parking and Transit Services does receive money from the student University Program and Facilities Fee to help fund 51% of the UNL Transit System expenses. All parking funds are used to acquire, maintain, and improve the parking and transit accommodations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Peer Institution Department Expense Comparison Table

A spreadsheet of expenses and permit costs among peer institutions' parking and transit departments is available for comparison and benchmarking purposes. The information found in this document is gathered from publicly available sources and returned surveys.

View the Peer Institution Department Expense Comparison Table

Parking and Transportation Consultant Studies

In 2009 and 2012, external consultants, Chance Management Advisors, were brought in by the Parking and Transit Services Department to perform an objective Transit System Evaluation and an Operations and Infrastructure Review. The objective of these reviews were to identify strengths and weaknesses of the system in place and identify areas that can boost operational efficiency and effectiveness. The findings are presented below.

2009 Transit System Evaluation 2012 Parking Operations and Infrastructure Review