Applications for Alternative Transportation Programs Open Wednesday

UK Transportation Services will open applications for three alternative transportation programs on Wednesday, April 13: Bike Voucher, Commute Club and Cash Out. These programs are designed to reward students and employees for going car-free on campus. One of them may be right for you!

Bike Voucher Program

Now in its eighth year, the Bike Voucher program is open to both students and employees. It offers the first 100 qualified applicants $400 each in vouchers that are valid at any of four participating local bike shops.

Vouchers can be used toward the purchase of a new bike or bicycle gear and accessories. In return, participants must sign a car-free commitment for two years but may purchase up to 40 single-day parking permits per fiscal year if they are needed.

To be eligible, applicants must live off campus and have had a parking permit this past fiscal year (July 1-June 30) or be new to the University with a start date of September 2021 or later.

Those who are interested in the Bike Voucher program but who do not meet the eligibility requirements can consider signing up for Commute Club.

Commute Club

Commute Club is a program that rewards students and employees for making a one-year, car-free commitment. Participants agree to forego purchasing a regular vehicle parking permit for one fiscal year, but they still have access to a limited number of single day permits for occasional use.

Some of the benefits of Commute Club include:

• Bird e-scooter and e-bike credits
• Guaranteed Ride program which offers a limited number of reimbursements for taxi and ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft.
• Ability to participate in a Commuter Rewards Program, allowing members to earn points for each emissions-friendly commute they log and redeem those points for prizes on an annual basis.

Applicants who apply now will be notified of their status in the club in June and club benefits will begin on July 1. Read more about Commute Club and apply online here.

Cash Out Program

The Cash Out program financially rewards employees who choose to forego a parking permit for one year. Participants receive $200 over a one-year period, evenly divided across their paychecks.

To be eligible, employees must have had a parking permit for the 2021-2022 fiscal year (July 1-June 30) or be a new employee with a start date of September 2021 or later. Applicants must also have work assignments that are day shift and based on main campus.

This program is limited to the first 100 qualified applicants and applications will close after the program is full. Transportation Services’ staff will begin reviewing applications in June and will notify recipients as they are approved. Interested employees are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

All three of these programs – Bike Voucher, Commute Club, and Cash Out – are part of a wide array of alternative transportation incentives and options designed to support multi-modal transportation by helping individuals make a change in their routine. Their goal is to reduce campus parking demand and traffic congestion and to support sustainable transportation options.

Additional alternative transportation programs include Big Blue Cycles and the Semester Bike Lottery.

If you’re interested in going car-free, but confused about potential commuting routes, UK Transportation Services also offers personalized commute planning.

For more details about alternative transportation incentives, visit our website and sign up for our Bike e-News.