Travel
Make your journeys to and from our University sustainable.
Transport
The largest transportation challenge facing our city is controlling the increasing road traffic and congestion arising from the continuing growth in car ownership. There are many ways to travel to campus and we want to support you in making the best choice for your circumstances.
The Newcastle University Travel Plan Update 2015 sets out objectives and targets to address all campus related transport issues, from staff and student commuting patterns to business related travel, the use of University fleet vehicles and delivery traffic.
Planning for the future
The Climate Action Plan details the action that the University is taking to reduce carbon dioxide emissions resulting from colleague and student travel. This includes a target for 30% cut in business travel emissions, against a 2018-2019 baseline. Following this plan, future developments will aim to:
- Reduce the need to use private cars,
- Make the most of existing infrastructure,
- Manage travel demand,
- Promote the use of more sustainable modes of transport.
The Estates and Facilities travel pages (University login required) have further information about parking and staff travel. Additionally, contact ess-helpdesk@ncl.ac.uk for information on University car parking information, discounted travel information, car sharing permit information and details of cycling infrastructure on campus.
The University's Travel and Expenses Policy (University login required) sets out recommended best practice to ensure minimisation of environmental damage. The policy describes a process by which video/telephone conferencing facilities are given priority to reduce the need for business travel (especially by air) as much as possible.
Events
There are lots of events to do with travelling in the city and to our campus, including the regular Dr Bike sessions organised on campus. Take a look at our News and Events section for upcoming and regular events.
Free bike health checks and maintenance: Dr Bike
Dr Bike is a free bicycle maintenance service offered on campus by the lovely people at WATBike. Dr Bike takes place in King’s Gate Level 1 Foyer on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays once every 2 weeks and provides:
- free bicycle health checks
- basic maintenance work
- 'bike prescriptions' for more complex repairs
Please note that any advanced repairs and additional parts will not be part of the free service. Prescriptions for complex repairs will need to be taken to WATBike’s paid service or your local bike shop. Dr Bike’s free basic maintenance service is available to all University staff and students when you show your smartcard.
Please direct queries to sustainable.campus@ncl.ac.uk.
Railcards
Returning home for the summer or fancy a weekend home with parents, family and friends? Access a 33% discount off First Class Advance, Standard Advance, Standard Anytime and Off-Peak fares with the:
- 16-25 Railcard
- 26-30 Railcard
- Senior Railcard: for people aged 60 and over
For those aged 31 to 59 who like to travel in pairs, get a 33% discount with the Two Together Railcard.
Recyke y'bike
Both students and staff can buy or hire fully repaired and refurbished bicycles at Recyke y'Bike, based above the Ouseburn Valley in Byker and in Durham.
University Public Transport Discount Scheme
All staff can benefit from a monthly salary deduction and reduced ticket prices on Newcastle public transport. The Estates & Facilities SharePoint page has details on how to apply.
Discounted bike hire through salary sacrifice - Cycle Scheme
The University offers the purchasing of bikes and safety equipment to allow staff members to hire the equipment at a saving of between 30.4% to 52% of the purchase amount. For more information or to join the scheme, visit the Cycle Scheme page on the Human Resources section of the University Intranet (University login required).
Student Metro tickets
All students with a valid student ID card are able to access Newcastle’s extensive metro network with significant savings via Nexus’s Pop Cards. Several options are available here:
- The Student Metro Season Ticket can be purchased annually or month by month to get 30% off a normal season ticket.
- Students aged 16-21 can also purchase a 16-21 ‘Pop Blue’ Card for 60% off individual metro tickets.
- Additionally, further Pop deals can be found on the Nexus website.
Walking and mobility aids
Priority on campus is given to pedestrians and all those moving through campus by foot and wheelchair. This priority is supported by the pedestrianisation of King's Road through the heart of the campus and improvements to accessibility in areas such as the Old Quad, Claremont Quad, King's Gate and King's Walk.
You can find out more about the main walking routes through campus and the city centre in the Campus & City map.
Cycling
Cycling into university is an easy way to include exercise in your daily life and is supported on campus by the provision of access ramps and an extensive network of Sheffield bike stands throughout. Secure cycle parking is also available on campus – contact ess-helpdesk@ncl.ac.uk or read our dedicated page (University login required) to find out more.
Cycle carefully, give way to pedestrians when cycling around campus, and only lock your cycle to dedicated bike infrastructure to avoid blocking access or having your bike stolen. If you’re worried about keeping your bike safe on campus contact our Security Team for advice and more information.
Bicycle Users Group (BUG)
BUG includes University staff and students who travel by bike. The group aims to improve facilities around campus, provide an up-to-date website of important information for cyclists, and coordinate various cycling events.
To be added to the BUG Microsoft Teams group, please contact sustainable.campus@ncl.ac.uk with the subject "Join BUG".
Tips
- Wearing a helmet is important,
- Remember to obey traffic lights and road signals,
- Don’t ride on the pavement unless a sign says you can,
- Use lights and reflectors so you are clearly visible,
- Don’t use headphones or a mobile while cycling,
- Remove lights and accessories from your cycle when parked to avoid theft,
- Always securely lock your cycle with at least one 'Sold Secure' certified cycle lock and only use purpose-designed Sheffield stands or racks,
- Don't leave your cycle on campus overnight and arrange adequate insurance to cover any theft or damage to your cycle.
I’m interested in buying a bike to cycle to campus. Does the University offer any support for my purchase?
Yes – the University provides a cycle-to-work scheme benefit, allowing colleagues to save money on a new cycle and spread the cost using salary sacrifice. The scheme is provided by Cyclescheme and managed by People Services; details of how to take advantage of this benefit can be found on the Cycle Scheme page (University login required).
Useful links
- Cyclestreets is a cycle route planning site where you can plan journeys taking into account your cycling speed.
- Go Smarter Go Active provides information and help available about sustainable travel.
- Newcastle City Council contains lots of local information for cyclists including advice, cycling parking spaces and new proposed routes, as well as up to date information about travel plans.
- Recyke y’Bike is a volunteer community project selling spares and second-hand bikes.
- The Cycle Hub is a café, bike shop, repair workshop and bike hire shop all in one.
- Plot a Route is a site allowing the planning of active travel routes.
- Sustrans is a charity aimed at helping to make more environmentally friendly transport choices.
Public transport
CO2 emissions per train/bus passenger are on average 6-8 times lower than equivalent journeys by car and our city centre campus is well connected to bus, metro, and national rail infrastructure.
Travel discounts
The University provides a range of discounted travel schemes for staff, while students can access the Student Metro Season Ticket for 30% off a normal season ticket. Plus, for students aged 21 and under, Pop Blue provides further travel discounts on metro and reduced fares are available on a range of Go North East buses.
If you would like some advice on which scheme would offer the best value for money for your journey, please contact ess-helpdesk@ncl.ac.uk.
Travel Line is a site providing local public transport information and timetables. Travel Line also has a specific journey planner page where you can work out how to get from A to B using public transport.
Travel times
The table below shows some estimated travel times to campus from various locations.
| Origin | Walking | Cycling | Public Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur's Hill (CAV) | 30-40 mins | 5-15 mins | 15-25 mins |
| Jesmond | 15-25 mins | 5-10 mins | 10-20 mins |
| Heaton | 25-45 mins | 10-20 mins | 25-40 mins |
| Gateshead | 40-50 mins | 15-25 mins | 15-25 mins |
| Gosforth | 45-55 mins | 10-20 mins | 15-20 mins |
| Plan your route here | Plot a Route | Cyclestreets | Travel Line |
Driving
Currently, CO2 emitted from cars make up 13% of the UK’s total emissions and cars can be expensive to run (in terms of maintenance, fuel, insurance, tax etc.) as well as harming the environment. If you do need to use a car for your commute, however, there are ways to make your driving more sustainable.
Car sharing
Currently, the average car occupancy is 1.58 persons per car, if that increased by 50% to 2.37 people, it would lead to a fall in traffic of a third. Car sharing can be as simple as a quick conversation or setting up a groupchat with a few of your course-mates or colleagues to organise when people are commuting!
Benefits of car sharing:
- Reduces the number of cars on the road, reducing pollution, congestion and parking problems,
- Reduces fuel costs as these can be split between passengers and the driver,
- Reduces stress if you don’t do all the driving yourself,
- Allows you to socialise and connect with those you share with.
How to drive sustainably
If you do need to drive, there are methods to drive in a more environmentally friendly way:
- Keep your tyres properly inflated: they're safer, they'll last longer, and can improve your petrol mileage by >3%,
- Plan ahead for the shortest, most petrol-saving itinerary,
- Use cruise control while on the motorway, as this can save petrol,
- Get your car serviced regularly to maintain engine efficiency,
- Make sure you’re using the right specification of engine oil,
- Travel light and remove excess weight: do you really need all that stuff in the boot?
- Cold starts use more fuel: combine journeys to aid fuel efficiency,
- Drive smoothly, accelerate gently and look ahead to try and prevent unnecessary braking,
- Change up the gears earlier - when the engine speed is at ~2000rpm in a diesel car and ~2500rpm in a petrol car,
- Take off roof racks to reduce drag,
- Don’t idle: an idle vehicle gives off 80% more pollution than one that’s moving – turning the engine off and then back on again uses less fuel than idling longer than 30 seconds.
Taxis
If you need a taxi, Phoenix Taxis are a local taxi provider who offer an electric car service.
I cycle to campus and would like to get access to a University cycle compound to park my bike. How do I get access?
Access to cycle compounds located across the City Centre campus is managed by the Estates & Facilities Helpdesk. Contact the Helpdesk via ess-helpdesk@newcastle.ac.uk or 0191 208 7171 to request access.
Colleagues can find out further information about cycle parking and other facilities via the Cycling page on the Estates & Facilities NU Connect webpages (University login required).
My bike could do with a check-up. When is Dr Bike next on campus and where can I find it?
Find when Dr Bike is on campus on our Events webpage.
I have an electric vehicle. Where can I charge on campus?
A state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging station is located on Wellington Street at Newcastle Helix, near to the University's Urban Sciences Building, with a number of public rapid and fast charge points available. These charge points can provide between 30-150 miles range in less than 30mins for most electric vehicles. The station is operated by Fastned – information about how to charge at a Fastned station, costs and other details can be found on the Fastned support website.
Alternatively, for use of a charge point while a car is parked through the day in the city centre, Eldon Garden multi-storey car park, located nearby to campus, has a eighteen charge points.
I'm interested in buying a bike to cycle to campus. Does the University offer any support for my purchase?
Yes – the University provides a cycle-to-work scheme benefit, allowing colleagues to save money on a new cycle and spread the cost, using salary sacrifice.
The scheme is provided by Cycle Scheme and managed by People Services. Details of how to take advantage of this benefit can be found on the Cycle Scheme page on the People Services NU Connect pages (University login required).