Alternative transportation

What is alternative transportation?

Alternative transportation includes any mobility option other than a personally owned, single-occupancy vehicle. Alternative transportation options such as walking, biking, using scooters, riding motorcycles, taking public transit, car sharing, ridesharing, carpooling and vanpooling all help reduce traffic, save money and promote sustainability. 

Why it’s important at U of I

While Moscow is surrounded by open spaces, the U of I campus and downtown Moscow are compact and pedestrian friendly. As enrollment grows, expanding and utilizing alternative transportation options improves mobility, reduces congestion and enhances the university experience.

Alternative transportation options

Regional travel options

Vandal Break Bus: Low-cost travel for academic breaks

U of I Parking and Transportation Services subsidizes round-trip charter buses to Boise and Idaho Falls for fall, winter and spring breaks. Reservations are sold first-come, first-served, and are available solely for students. Fall and winter buses typically sell out — early purchase is recommended.

Vandal Break Buses leave campus early on Saturday morning following the last day of classes and return the Sunday immediately prior to classes resuming.  

  • Riders should arrive early for all bus trips.  
  • Each rider may bring no more than two pieces of luggage and one small carry-on item. Tag luggage with your contact information before arriving for the bus.
  • Be prepared with snacks, food and beverages as needed.  
  • A confirmation email with detailed itineraries, including times and locations of stops, will be sent to each rider.  
  • Vandal Break Bus is not suitable for the transport of emotional support animals, which are not permitted.
  • Students from nearby universities can choose to travel on the Vandal Break Bus based on availability. 
Routes and pricing 
  • Moscow to Boise: Stops in New Meadows, Weiser, Payette, Caldwell, Nampa, Meridian and Boise
    • $135 early bird, through Oct. 15 | $165 late reservation  
  • Moscow to Idaho Falls (via Boise): Stops in Mountain Home, Bliss, Twin Falls, Burley, Pocatello, Blackfoot and Idaho Falls
    • $200 early bird, through Oct. 15 | $240 late reservation

Vandal Break Bus reservations for the 2025-26 academic year will be available for purchase online beginning at noon on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. 

Vandal student special

U of I Parking and Transportation Services subsidizes student bus travel for the Moscow campus for fall move-in and spring move-out. Students receive a 50% discount when booking bus reservations for the Vandal Student Special via Northwestern Stage Lines. Questions? Call 800-366-6975.

  • Available for Vandal students who use their Vandal email address to book and also use special promo code VANDALMOVEIN50 at the time of booking. Valid for travel to the Moscow campus between Aug. 1–31, 2025, and from the Moscow campus between May 2–19, 2026.
  • Vandal Student Special service is available from cities throughout Idaho, Utah, Washington and parts of Montana, as well as from airports in Boise, Spokane, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.
  • Price includes up to four pieces of luggage.
  • This is a discounted fare purchased directly from Northwestern Stage Lines.

Public transit: Free bus service with SMART Transit

SMART Transit offers fare-free, fixed-route bus service throughout Moscow, with eight stops on campus and convenient access to shopping, medical centers and residential areas

Route details
  • West Route: Stops include the Idaho Student Union Building (ISUB), Walmart, Palouse Place (formerly Palouse Mall) and Gritman Medical Center.
  • East Route: Covers downtown, Moscow High School, East City Park and the Eastside Marketplace.

Service Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:40 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

View route maps and schedules.

Lyft Credit program

U of I students enrolled in Moscow receive $30/month in Lyft Credit, funded by ASUI and managed by Parking and Transportation Services and the Office of the President. 

How to access Lyft Credit:
  1. Download the Lyft app and register using your Vandal email address.
  2. Use the credit for rides within a 5-mile radius of campus during:  
    1. Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
    2. Saturday-Sunday: Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. through 7 a.m. on Monday
Program Details 
  • Service area: 5-mile radius around U of I's Moscow campus.
  • Students can increase their number of free rides by riding together with friends and only using one student's Lyft Credit at a time.
  • Each student will receive $30 in Lyft Credit on the first day of each month. Unused credit expires after the last day of the month.
  • Lyft Credit is available only during spring and fall semesters. 

Riding with Lyft

Learn more about riding smart with Lyft.

Learn more about Lyft

Walking on campus

U of I’s walkable campus allows easy, affordable transportation. Most buildings are within a 10-to-20-minute walk from anywhere on campus. 

Walking tips:
  • Stay alert and step aside if texting or slowing down.
  • Use crosswalks and confirm drivers see you before crossing.
  • Adjust for weather conditions by wearing appropriate footwear.
  • Turn music down to hear approaching vehicles, bikes and scooters.

Need assistance? Call Safe Walk (208-885-7233) for an escort anywhere on campus. 

Bicycling at U of I

Biking is a cost-effective, healthy way to get around campus and Moscow.

Bicycle security and registration
  • PTS pays your bicycle registration cost with the Moscow Police Department to improve recovery chances if your bike is stolen.
  • Register your bike for free at PTS (1006 Railroad St.) or at your own cost at the Moscow Police Department. 
Locking bikes and theft prevention
  • Use a U-lock and secure both the frame and wheel to a bike rack.
  • As an extra precaution, use a cable lock to connect your back tire to the frame and, if possible, to the rack.
  • Locking your bike to anything other than a bike rack may result in a fine. 
Bike safety and equipment
  • Wear a safety helmet.
  • Pedestrians always have the right of way.
  • Use hand signals when turning.
  • At night, use front and rear lights and wear light-colored clothing. 
Pre-Ride checks
  • Inflate tires if you can press your tire against a curb and flatten the tire.
  • Lift each wheel and give it a spin to be sure it’s not rubbing against the brake pads or any other parts.
  • Check tires for splits, bulges or bubbles.
  • Test gears to make sure the chain is sifting smoothly
  • Check brakes by squeezing both levers. If they touch the handlebars, get them adjusted. 

Taxi services

Need a ride? Two taxi companies serve Moscow, including transportation to the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport (PUW):

Regional bus services

Regional airports

Ground transportation

  • Daily bus service between Moscow and Spokane International Airport via Northwestern Stage Lines.
  • Lewiston Regional Airport shuttle service, for a fee, between Moscow and the airport.  
  • Taxi options for Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport transfers.