(Aug. 22, 2019) — As the beginning of a new academic year approaches, thousands of new and returning UTSA students will explore their new home, including four campuses that cover more than 700 acres.
With new developments on the horizon and growing campuses, how do you cover so much ground? Check out these tips to get to and around UTSA with ease!
Leave your vehicle at home: ride VIA or The Runner.
Save time and money by riding VIA. UTSA students can ride anywhere in the city for free with VIA U-Pass. VIA has a wide range of routes throughout San Antonio, including route 93, a convenient and quick route between the Main and Downtown Campuses. Put your commute time to good use and stay connected while you ride: all VIA buses include free 4G LTE Wi-Fi and instant access to the Bexar BiblioTech e-library.
Live near the Main Campus? Hop on The Runner, UTSA’s Main Campus transit system. The Runner provides service to select nearby apartment complexes and parking lots. Track your shuttle’s arrival time and schedule by downloading the free GPS app on the App Store or Google Play so you always know when to ride.
Prefer to drive to campus? There’s no wrong way to get to UTSA. Make sure you do these things before you hit the road.
Get the right parking permit.
First, buy the parking permit that suits your needs. Purchase your permit on MyParking. Need guidance? Contact Campus Services.
Know where you can park.
Check the back of your permit to find a quick list of valid parking areas for your permit. Check parking occupancy online to see real-time availability at Main Campus garages and parking lots, or follow @UTSAParking on Twitter for live parking updates.
No car? Rent a Zipcar or bike to campus.
Zipcar’s car-sharing program lets ‘Runners reserve a car for an hour or as long as seven days to drive around campus or the city. UTSA’s Zipcars are conveniently parked near the Roadrunner Café.
Biking is another great eco-friendly option. Bike racks are available throughout campus. Register your bike with Campus Services for free.
Don’t worry about getting lost.
We all get a little lost sometimes, so don’t sweat it. Look for these iconic UTSA locations and work your way from there.
On the Main Campus, ask for directions to the Sombrilla (SOM-BREE-UH)—it’s the big, open plaza in the middle of campus where the fountain sits. If you’re at the Downtown Campus, find Bill Miller Plaza—that’s the big green space at the center of campus where the pathways intersect.
When all else fails, download the Main Campus, Downtown Campus or parking map from the UTSA website or UTSA app.
