On the GO

Getting Around NIU

The resources in this section can help you when you are on the go around NIU.

• Campus Maps
• Carpool Connections
• Parking 
• Huskie Bus Line
• Late Night Shuttle Services
• Dining at and around NIU

Parking

Parking at NIU

It is the same story on any campus you go to: convenient parking is a valuable commodity that is often hard to come by. However, by following a few helpful hints, you too can successfully park on campus and get to your class on time.

1. Get yourself a copy of the Parking Regulations pamphlet and keep it in your car. These pamphlets can be found at Parking Services or Off-Campus & Non-Traditional Student Services.
2. Check the Huskie Bus schedule for routes and times.
3. Come to campus early. Don't wait until the last minute to get to campus.  Allow yourself enough time to check out 1-2 alternative parking locations, catch a bus to the area of campus where you need to be, and spend some time relaxing before class.  There are several classroom buildings that have lounge areas, as well as the Holmes Student Center and Off-Campus & Non-Traditional Student Services.
4. Check our website for more hints and little known information below.

Parking Resources

Our office has compiled an informative list of parking tips for your benefit. Check them out - Parking Tips

Did you know that you can rent a bike from Parking Services through the "Borrow A Bike" Program?

Do you have parking tips worth sharing? Send them to us at ocntss@niu.edu.

Department of Parking Services

NIU issues a variety of parking permit types, depending on the specific needs category a student falls into. The greatest attempt possible is made to ensure every student is using the correct parking passes to allow ease in parking. This particularly applies to Yellow and Brown permits, which on-campus students desire because of the nearness to class buildings. Students using improper colored passes will be cited, and can be arrested, per regulations posted on the Department's Web site. If you are having difficulty finding a parking spot and/or are finding you are repeatedly late to class, please try some of the following tips:

1. Leave early, especially during the first few weeks of the semester, during midterms, and finals week, as the highest class attendances occur during these weeks.
2. Use a remote parking lot, planning this into your time schedule. You will find that doing this will reduce the stress of parking, and will leave your vehicle less likely to receive dents and door dings, which occur more often in more populated parking areas.
3. Carpool, and encourage other commuters to car pool as well! The fewer cars that need to be parked, the easier and closer spots cars will find. Visit our Carpool Connections page to learn more and join the growing trend. Save money, make friends!

• The NIU Parking map is available online
• Visit the Parking Services Web site for complete and up-to-date parking information!

Transportation

Carpool Connections

Off-Campus & Non-Traditional Student Services at Northern Illinois University offers this free carpool service to students, faculty, and staff. Visit Carpool Connections

Huskie Bus Line

The Huskie Bus is a free service to all active NIU students with a valid NIU OneCard. It serves the main campus, including classroom buildings, parking lots, offices, and residence halls as well as routes heading off campus to local apartments, shopping centers, and food establishments. One route serves the Sycamore shopping areas as well.

Huskie Buses run beginning between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. and run until 1:00-2:00 a.m. These times vary depending on the route and season. However, this is the regular schedule for class days. During late night hours, NIU also offers a late night ride service.

The two main routes that serve the main campus are Circle Right and Circle Left. The only difference between these routes is that they progress around the main campus route in reverse directions. Circle Left leaves the Holmes Student Center turning left onto Lucinda, headed towards the residence halls, via the DuSable Classroom area bus stop. Circle Right leaves HSC turning right onto Lucinda and proceeds toward Barsema Hall, Engineering, Music, and Art buildings, then out to Lincoln Highway. Both buses begin and end their circular routes at the HSC.

Circle Right and Circle Left service each bus stop every 10 minutes from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on class days, with less frequent 15-30 minute intervals outside that range.

There are also several routes that service local apartments and areas within DeKalb. In addition, there is a single route to Sycamore for shopping and restaurants.

For information about other routes, holiday, weekend, special runs, route maps, and other information, please visit the Huskie Bus Web site.

Shuttle Services

Late Night Ride Service

The late night ride service will pick up any student with no questions asked. The Late Night Ride Service is operated out of the NIU Police Department. The system is set up where you can call for a ride and the first available vehicle is dispatched to pick you up. If you call at 1:00 am (bar closing), you may have to wait 1 hour or more. The wait the rest of the time is between 5 minutes to 30 minutes. Generally, people are not allowed to call ahead as it is a first come first served service. However, you can call 30 minutes ahead during a busy time. The Late Night Ride Service provides service within the city of DeKalb. The service runs from 3:00 pm to 6:00 am, and the busiest time for Late Night Ride Service is Midnight to 2:00 am Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. The Huskie Student Patrol also provides a "Walk Safe" service to those who do not wish to walk alone between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Call 815-753-9658 to arrange a "Walk Safe" escort.

Elburn Shuttle (to Elburn Train Station)

The Elburn Shuttle bus is run through the Huskie Bus service and charges a student rate for all current NIU students who carry an NIU OneCard.  Currently, the shuttles run only Friday and Sunday in the afternoon and early evening.

Visit the Elburn Shuttle information page for current rates and contact information.

Sycamore Shuttle

Route 7 of the Huskie Bus Line services the Sycamore shopping areas. This route is free to students and runs once per hour, leaving from the bus shelter just across from the bus turnaround at the Holmes Student Center. For information, visit www.huskieline.com.