Still, navigating campus doesn’t have to be intimidating. This guide will help you figure out the bus system, driving, biking and walking all around MSU.

Buses

The first thing to do on your phone is download Google Maps or the Transit app. Google Maps works better because it shows the bus's location and uses information directly from the Transit app.

The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) has over 30 routes in Lansing. To figure out which route you need to take, enter your current location and your destination in your preferred app. The app will list multiple options for getting to campus; choose the simplest one. To avoid overpaying or missing a stop, take one bus and walk the rest of the way.

You don’t have to pay the regular $1.25 if you let the driver know you’re a student. Present your ID to the driver or simply tell them, “I’m a student,” and they’ll take the price down to 60 cents. You can also get a semester pass for $50 at your local Meijer.

Some buses have stop buttons, and others have a pull cord. Try to sit near the buttons and cords for convenience. Push the button or pull the cord after the bus passes the second-to-last stop before your own. Check your preferred app to know which stop is yours. 

You can sit anywhere on the bus, but be mindful of priority seating. If someone needs that seat because of their disability, be considerate and find another seat.

Cars

Annabelle DiMaggio, a senior advertising management student, suggests getting a parking pass and then walking the rest of the way to your class.

“I hate to say it, but get a parking pass. They (MSU Parking Enforcement) ticket a lot,” DiMaggio said. “You think they don’t, and then the one day you don’t pay for parking, they will ticket you.”

If you work on campus like DiMaggio, she suggests applying for a parking pass and picking it up at the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety near ComArtSci. It’s a little pricey for a semester, but she said it’s better than paying for three $40 tickets.

She also suggests carpooling. DiMaggio has six roommates, and when they have similar class times and locations, one of her roommates who’s available drops them off and picks them up later.

“Always coordinate with your friends and people in your community because a lot of people are going to the same place at the same time, so catching a ride isn’t as hard as you think,” she said.

The ComArtSci building has a good parking garage, according to DiMaggio. She said the pay rate is similar across all garages on campus, and certain lots offer free parking after 6 p.m., so make sure you know where you’re parking and whether it's free.

The busiest times on campus are usually 10 to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. DiMaggio suggests arriving before or after those times. She also suggests driving onto campus, then using the bus system to avoid walking or the weather, which can be less grueling than paying to move your car around.

Bikes

Erin Riley, assistant manager at MSU Bikes Service Center, said the biggest problem students face on campus is bike theft.

“We see a pretty insane number of bikes getting stolen, even if they’re locked,” Riley said.

Riley recommends investing in U-locks instead of cable locks, since cable locks can be cut with gardening shears, while U-locks make a loud noise from the sparks if someone tries to break them.

“Thieves are normally just going for whatever bike has the worst lock,” they said.

Register bikes through MSU’s parking services. The permit is free, and registering your bike makes it easier if it gets stolen, according to Riley. If there’s a problem with the lock and the bike is registered and parked on campus, MSU DPPS will cut the lock free of charge, which is cheaper than getting a locksmith, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

The MSU Bikes Service Center has a rental program, some of which are semester-long. Riley said they sell out often, so pre-rent and don’t wait till the last minute.

Another piece of advice is to make sure your tires have enough air to avoid pinch flats. The service center has a free do-it-yourself bike repair station equipped with a tire pump.

Used bikes sold at the service center can be more expensive than cheaper bikes at a local grocery store; however, Riley said they aren’t built to last. They suggest looking on Facebook Marketplace for a high-quality bike frame, then letting the store repair it, which can save a lot of money.

Walking

The most important thing is to walk on the right side of the sidewalk. If you can apply that concept while driving, you can extend that gratitude to fellow pedestrians.

When walking with a group of friends, be considerate. The sidewalks are small, and there’s only so much room to walk around. There’s no reason for three or four people to be walking side by side.

Jaywalk if you can. It’s not encouraged, but if a one-way road is narrow and there aren’t any cars nearby, it’s totally doable.