I’m sure you’ve heard of TravelSmart; but there seems to be some misconceptions on the details. Did you know:
Cost
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 only to identify you as a rider.
TravelSmart is a perk and can save you money while reducing pollution and promoting a healthy lifestyle while 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); and nobody pays for parking.
Parking Permit
Not quite ready to relinquish your parking permit? You can keep it and still use any of the active transportation options with access to all the support programs. You can use active transportation as frequently as it works for you. Turning it in will save you additional money. Our Savings Calculator will tell you how much money you can save and whether it’s financially advantageous for you to keep your permit or turn it in — either way it’s your choice.
Daily rate flexible parking is available if you need to drive to campus and don’t have a permit. It’s cheap, lots are located around 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 three-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.
Carpool
If you want to carpool but don’t know who to drive with, check our carpool matching page. Signing up on Zimride is free and only people from this campus can see the rides that have been posted. You don’t have to ride with the person it matches you with, so there’s no harm in posting a ride to see if it will work out, even if you work odd hours or a different shift.
Questions?
If you have more questions visit our FAQ page or video/resources page. Or email TravelSmart@unmc.edu or call 559-8580 (ext. 3). We are happy to help!
Do it! You'll be glad you did. 🙂 – Travelsmartie since day one.