Transportation

JMU offers many transportation options for students, so it can be helpful to know which is best for you.

I do not plan  driving

If you don’t plan on driving a personal car around campus, JMU offers many alternative transportation options for students: bikes, buses, and break shuttles. Typically, most students without a car use the buses operated by the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation.

These buses can be categorized into two groups: those that operate within JMU and its immediate surroundings.

You can recognize these buses by their color-coded names, such as the Yellow Line, Red Line, and Green Line. These buses have stops at every apartment complex, ensuring easy transportation from your apartment to the university.

Then you have buses that operate in city of Harrisonburg as a whole. Those tend to have names with numbers. Line 1, 3, 6…

Each line follows a specific route, which you can view here or in the PassioGo app (AppleStore, GooglePlay)

We recommend carefully reviewing the lines that pass through your apartment and noting their operational patterns. For example, some buses complete their routes in one hour, while others take two hours. By familiarizing yourself with these patterns, you won’t need to constantly check the app or a map for arrival times at your complex or other specific points.

If you want to travel outside of Harrisonburg check this page.

I have a bike / I want to bike

To bike around campus, you’ll need a bicycle (unless you’re a magician!). You can either buy or rent one. JMU offers a semester-long bike rental program for $100 per semester, with a $300 refundable deposit. More information can be found here.

If you prefer to buy a bike, check out Facebook Marketplace for affordable options in Harrisonburg. Just make sure to take the bike to a bike shop for an evaluation before making your purchase. You can also buy a new bike if you prefer here for example.

Note that you can put your bike in front of any bus and take the bus anytime you want to use the bus instead.

I have a car / I plan Driving

If you plan on driving a personal car around campus, JMU offers multiple parking lots and parking garages that are accessible to students. View more information about parking permits below.

Parking Permit

If you’re planning on driving to campus, it can be helpful to purchase a student parking permit. Parking permits at JMU are done virtually, meaning you won’t need a sticker or hang-tag for your car.

The 2023-2024 Student Parking Rates are as follows:

• Full-Time Annual – $300
• Full-Time Semester – $160
• Part-Time Semester – $80
• Evening Semester – $50
• Remote Semester – $50

You may purchase your parking permit beginning August 1st. You can order a parking permit here, and step-by-step instructions in ordering your permit can be found here.

Once you have your parking permit, use this map to determine where you can park. You can also download the JMU Parking App to receive real-time information on parking space availability.