Parking and commuter services

As the University of Victoria is a destination point for upwards of 20,000 individuals on any given day, there are a multitude of options available to get you to the campus. Walking is a popular choice for those living a short distance from the campus.     

With subsidized bus passes for qualifying employees and a subsidized bus pass for all students, UVic has the second most active transit hub in Greater Victoria. There are eight different transit routes that access the University.

Victoria is well known for its extensive cycling routes and wonderful scenery. A number of cycling routes access the university. Bike racks are located adjacent to every building on the campus and a small U-fixit area has been provided beside the north doors of the Parkade at the UVic Centre.

Over 26% of campus commuters take transit to UVic. Service runs seven days a week and “low-floor” buses make it easy and accessible. With more than 1,100 buses arriving and leaving each day, you can connect to campus from almost anywhere in the region. Visit the BC Transit website for more on route planning, schedules and maps.

Visitors to campus can use the full range of bus passes available from BC Transit, from a one-way ticket, to a day pass, to a monthly pass. All students taking at least one course on campus have a U-Pass, and employees are able to purchase the discounted Employee Bus Pass. Each is valid for travel throughout the region, seven days a week, 365 days a year. 

UVic is the second most active transit hub in the Greater Victoria region. Each day buses serve thirteen regular transit routes to and from campus, each linked to the entire Victoria Regional transit network.

All students taking at least one course on campus have a U-Pass, and employees are able to purchase the new discounted Employee Bus Pass. Each is valid for travel throughout the region, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Please visit the BC Transit website for detailed schedule information. Information on how to access the U-Pass can be found on the University of Victoria Students Society website.

Visitors to campus can use the full range of bus passes available from BC Transit, from a one-way ticket, to a day pass, to a monthly pass.

The Employee Bus Pass offers continuing University of Victoria employees the option of using transit rather than commuting by vehicle to the Gordon Head Campus and thus having to purchase a parking permit.  The Employee Bus Pass is not transferable and is for the use of eligible employees only. The eligible employee must agree to purchase the transit pass for their personal use to commute to the University of Victoria Gordon Head Campus. Bus passes are sold in one-month and four-month allotments.

To qualify, an eligible employee is defined as;

• any employee who lives off-campus,
• any employee who does not have a parking permit,
• any employee who is benefit-eligible, or
• any employee who is on a continuing appointment, or
• any employee who is on a temporary appointment whose hours of work are not less than 3 days per week.

In compliance with Canada Revenue Agency regulations, the UVic investment toward employee participation in the Employee Bus Pass program is considered a taxable benefit. The deduction from your paycheque will be the tax on the UVic portion.  Visit the Campus Security office to purchase your Employee Bus Pass.

PLEASE NOTE: Any outstanding balance on your account must be paid in full prior to your bus pass purchase.

Victoria is well known for its extensive and scenic cycling routes. With UVic's variety of cycling facilities, including showers, lockers and over 4000 bike parking spaces across campus, cycling is easy to factor into your travel plans.

Visit the Sustainable Transportation website for information on cycling to, from and within campus. Please note that cycles parked on campus must be locked to a cycle rack, or within a cycle locker or cycle storage room, those that are not may be impounded by Campus Security. The University’s regulations for Cycling can be found here.

If you cannot locate your bike when you return, please inquire with Campus Security at 250-721-7599

The average adult walking speed is 4.3 km/h. In a half-hour, you can cover over 2 km.

If your 2 km. drive to campus took ten minutes (including finding parking, and walking to your building), for an investment of an additional 20-minutes, you get 30 minutes of exercise, save the cost of gas, wear and tear on your vehicle, and you don't need to pay for parking.

 Visit the Maps and Buildings page for walking and jogging routes around campus.

UVic has a Partnership Membership with Modo! As a member through the UVic carshare program, you also have access to all the cars in Modo fleet around Greater Victoria and Metro Vancouver.

As a Member-Owner (individual plan Modo Plus rates) in the carshare program, you can use Modo's 24-hour online booking system to reserve a vehicle. When finished, just return the car to the same location. 

Locations at UVic:

• Two cars are located at Lot 2 by Campus Security
• One car is located at the Family Student Housing (FSH) complex

Rates and qualifications:

Employees and Family Student Housing

UVic will pay the membership fee (a value of $500) for qualifying employees and FSH students, and you pay the regular usage fees (Modo Plus rates).

The program is available for full-time and continuing employees who normally work at the Gordon Head Campus or students living in Family Student Housing who do not have a parking permit.

See the application forms below and the Modo website for more details and driving eligibility requirements.

Employee Application Form

Family Student Housing Application Form

Graduate Students

The Grad student program is for UVic graduate students as members of the Graduate Students' Society (GSS). For an non-refundable fee of $50 to the GSS, students can join Modo for as long as they are members of the GSS. Contact the GSS for more information.