Staff travel
We have one of the highest staff cycle-to-work rates among UK universities, with 10% of annual journeys made by bike.
We understand, however, that how our colleagues’ travel is dependent on personal circumstances, so we provide information to support sustainable travel choices, whether travelling to work or for business.
The University is well connected by buses.
Free travel is available on the 147 bus along the stretch of Oxford Road designated for bus, taxi and cycle only.
We also offer incentives to our people to travel by bus:
- Interest-free loans to support the purchase of public transport annual season tickets.
- Discounted Stagecoach tickets.
From Sunday, 24 March 2024, the Stagecoach Megarider will not be accepted on Bee Network services. It can still be used on Stagecoach services in and around Manchester. For further information, visit StaffNet.
The University provides a range of facilities to help make cycling to work an attractive and accessible form of transport.
Community and initiatives
The University of Manchester Bicycle Users’ Group is a friendly and welcoming community offering a buddy system, monthly events and a bike hire scheme.
Our Cycle to Work scheme can help colleagues to save money on bikes and accessories. We also offer an e-bike hire scheme.
Each year we take part in Love to Ride, a global initiative to help more people realise the benefits of cycling.
Cycle facilities
There are nine cycle shelters on campus, 4,000 cycle parking facilities and 65 showers.
Our campus map shows you where to find our cycling facilities.
The MCR strollers is the University walking programme. They offer regular guided walks from campus and provide a great way to get out, get active and meet new people.
For runners, the UMRun group is a support network for those looking to fit exercise into their busy schedules. Visit the Facebook page for more information.
The University also offers other running and walking groups that carer to exercisers of all abilities.
The University campus is a short walk from three of the city’s main train stations:
- Manchester Piccadilly – a 20-minute walk or a short journey on the free 147 bus.
- Manchester Oxford Road – a 15-minute walk.
- Manchester Victoria – a 25-minute walk.
The nearest tram stops are at Deansgate or St Peter’s Square, both a 20-25-minute walk away from campus.
Interest-free loans are available to colleagues to support the purchase of public transport annual season tickets.
We appreciate that car travel is necessary in certain circumstances, so we’ve put together a few ways to reduce the impact of car use on congestion, air quality and the environment.
- The University offers a low emission vehicle scheme for cars that emit less than 50g of carbon per km.
- There are eight electric vehicle charging bays in Booth Street West car park and four in Cecil Street car park.
As a university, we have a responsibility to ensure we travel responsibility and only when truly necessary. We encourage staff to consider virtual meeting where possible and if travel is required, whether public transport, cycling, car sharing or the electric pool car could be used.
More information on sustainable travel for colleagues and our range of resouces can be found on StaffNet.