Student

commute options

A panorama of OHSU South Waterfront buildings

OHSU students traveling to OHSU locations in the Portland metro area are eligible for cash incentives for walking and biking, discounted transit, free access to Portland Aerial Tram and Streetcar, programs to borrow or purchase a bike, guaranteed ride home, and much more.

Explore these programs by selecting a travel option below.

Resources for non-OHSU students.

Custom trip plans

Let us do the research on how you can save time and money on the road. Compare time, cost, rewards, and directions among a variety of options. The request takes less than a minute. 

Commute options

Tilikum Crossing at sunset

OHSU's two main campuses are just one mile from downtown Portland and accessible by sidewalks, off-street paths, elevators and aerial trams.

Rewards

  • OHSU pays $1.50 a day for eligible walking trips.
  • Discounts often offers deals on active apparel.
  • Showers, lockers, and towel service in some locations.

Discover your best walking experience at ohsu.edu/walk.

OHSU Bike Share

OHSU is among the most popular biking destinations in any American city. With bike share, you don't need to even own a bike to ride to campus.

You can take the bike lanes up Marquam Hill or save some sweat by biking to Portland Aerial Tram, where valet is offered free to the public. Unless you valet your bike, U-locks are strongly recommended.

Rewards and resources

Discover your best biking experience at ohsu.edu/bike

Portland Streetcar stops at RLSB

OHSU is connected by over a dozen bus lines. The Tram offers a five minute transfer to more lines including, light rail, and streetcar. All Portland public transit is ADA accessible. Park and rides offer free parking at over 60 locations.

Rewards

  • For anyone with a badge, OHSU’s TriMet and C-tran transit passes are subsidized up to 95%.
  • Streetcar is free with a badge. 
  • Log trips on MyCommute to earn badges and rewards.

Discover your best public transit experience at ohsu.edu/transit.

Two smiling people share a car ride

Split the cost by sharing a ride. Any OHSU parking permit can be split into a carpool. Find your own carpool partner here

Discover your best experience with carpools and ride hail.

Parking Lot 40 sign

OHSU has a variety of facilities. We strongly recommend getting to know campus and reviewing your options before commuting to campus for work or education.

Who needs a permit? Anyone not here as a patient or patient’s personal visitor, 8am-5pm weekdays. Restricted Zones, enforced 24/7, include patient, special reserved, emergency, and Public Safety spaces. Visiting for personal appointment? Get coverage at ohsu.edu/visit/parking-coverage

Planning a trip
Daily and hourly parking are purchased online or at onsite pay stations. Annual permits for daytime parking are on wait lists. Due to a City cap on parking, OHSU does not directly control supply or demand; annual permits are thus very limited. Parking is free at over 60 park and rides around the region.

Home office space for telework

OHSU encourages people to work virtually when possible and for departments to accommodate people working offsite. Even if you're onsite, it is strongly recommended that you become acquainted with OHSU resources for telework, telemedicine and distance learning to best collaborate with your colleagues. 

Telework part time or full time can help solve commuting challenges as well as help people achieve better work life balance.

People with an OHSU login can get started on working virtually at o2.ohsu.edu/telework 

Connect now from off campus at portal.ohsu.edu

Don't have a login yet? Learn more about OHSU's telework resources at ohsu.edu/telework

Guaranteed Ride Home

Guaranteed Ride Home via the Luum smartphone app
Ride hail program for MyCommute members' personal emergencies.

Weather resources

The Tram rises over a snowman and snow covered trees
Real time updates and tips for when weather may impact campus access.

Night access

Marquam Hill skybridge at sunset
Resources for commuters traveling in the evening and early morning.