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Parking and commuter services

 

All motor vehicles parked on the Gordon Head Campus must have a valid parking permit Monday to Saturday, 24 hours a day. There is no charge for parking on Sundays and BC statutory holidays. Permits are virtual and do not need to be displayed. Your permit is tracked using your vehicle license plate which is required at the time of purchase.

Visitor parking

Visitors to campus may park at a short term meter or use one of the many permit dispensers located in parking lots around campus. Please note that reserved spaces on campus are marked and require a reserved permit.

More information

Whether you are a first time visitor, or have been on campus for awhile, please familiarize yourself with parking and transportation options on campus prior to your arrival.

Getting to campus - other than by single occupant vehicle

As the ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø 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.

Taking transit to UVic

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  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. 

Student UPASS

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 website for detailed schedule information. Information on how to access the U-Pass can be found on the

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.

Employee Bus Pass

The Employee Bus Pass offers continuing ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø 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 ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø 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.

Bus passes and taxes

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.

Cycling

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

Walking

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.

Car Share - Modo

UVic has a Partnership Membership with ! 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 ().

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  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  for more information.

Accessible parking

There are over 70 accessible parking spaces on campus and are conveniently located in each parking lot. You are required to display a valid government issued accessible placard and UVic parking permit. Accessible placards are also valid in any reserved general and short term spaces on campus, general permit rates apply. If you have a temporary medical situation, you may qualify for a Temporary Medical Permit. This permit allows you to park in reserved, general or short term parking, UVic parking permit required. A doctor’s note is required and the permit will be issued for a maximum of 30 days.  For situations lasting longer than 30 days, you may apply for an accessible parking permit through   Please see this website for application details. If your need is not covered by an existing space or permit, please contact us so we can make appropriate arrangements for you.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations

UVic has 16 Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations. These EV chargers are available for the campus community and visitors to top up their vehicle batteries.

Locations:

  • Four EV stations located beside the Campus Security Building in parking lot #2
  • Five stations are located beside the Michael Williams building in Lot 4
  • Five stations are located adjacent to the Glover Greenhouse in Lot 1
  • Two EV stations next to the Fine Arts building in parking lot #6

Payment for charging is required along with payment for parking.

For a map of electric vehicle charging stations locally and across North America, go to .

Guidelines for using EV charging stations on campus can be found here

UVic Motor Pool Rentals

Do you need a vehicle occasionally for university business? Campus Security maintains a Motor Pool Fleet available for rental by UVic employees. Vehicle options include mini vans (seating up to 8 including driver) as well a 1 ton cube van and are available for short or long term rentals. For more information call 250-721-6557 and see Campus Security.

Motorcycle and Scooter Parking

Motorcycle and scooter parking — including several covered areas —is located in numerous lots around campus. Limited speed motorcycles (without pedals, and requiring a license, registration and insurance) require a motorcycle permit and must be parked in motorcycle parking areas. See the  for details.

Motorist Assistance Program

Campus Security is pleased to offer this complimentary service to the University community. Dead Battery, car won't start, flat tire, locked out, ran out of gas? We can help. Just call our 24 hour dispatch center for service. 250-721-7599

  • Officers will provide a battery boost device for you to start your vehicle.
  • Assistance can be provided to help you locate a missing vehicle.
  • Totem Towing will provide fuel, lockout or other services at preferred rates.

Vehicles must be located on University property to receive assistance. On site service may be delayed due to call volume.

Bicycle and Equipment Lockers

Lockers are available on a first come, first served basis and can be rented for a month, term or on an annual basis.  Please see one of our customer service staff at Campus Security to see what is available and to arrange a rental.