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Northern Illinois University

Commuter and Non-Traditional Student Services

Students getting on the Huskie Bus

On the GO

Student driving to classGetting Around NIU

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

Student using AIM through cell phoneCustomer Service On the GO

Our AIM Customer Service

Add us to your buddy list!

We raised our customer service to a whole new level! Commuting students can contact us through AIM while being on the go through their cellphone or laptop. We will be happy to help answer your questions and give you the information you need.

Our AIM Screen Name is NIUCommNonTrad.

Our AIM Service Hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 9am to 5pm, and Fridays from 9am to 4pm.

Questions? IM us!

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 Commuter and 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 Commuter and Non-Traditional Student Services.
  4. Check our website for more hints and little known information below.

Parking Resources

Our office has compiled a 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? Find out how HERE

Do you have a parking tips worth sharing? Send it to us at CommNonTrad@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. Car pool! 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 Commuter Ride Share Board to learn more and join the growing trend. Save money, make friends!

Transportation

Commuter Ride Share Program

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

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.