Promote Sustainable Commuting

In 2025, the University of Newcastle actively promoted sustainable commuting through free inter-campus shuttles, cycling and end-of-trip facilities, active-travel communications, electric-vehicle charging, ridesharing incentives and public-transport information.

Promoting Sustainable Commuting at the University of Newcastle

The University of Newcastle recognises that shifting travel away from single-occupant vehicles can reduce transport emissions and support healthier, more sustainable communities. In 2025, the University used a combination of infrastructure, services, incentives and travel information to enable, incentivise, and encourage more sustainable commuting among staff, students, and visitors.

Our Environmental Sustainability Plan 2019–2025 includes a Transport component with priority actions, targets, and measures of success to promote sustainable commuting.

Sustainable commuting actions in operation during 2025

  1. Shuttle & Intercampus Transport
    • We run a free shuttle bus service between our main Newcastle campuses (Callaghan and Newcastle City), helping reduce private vehicle trips.
    • Hybrid buses and shuttles are used to connect campuses and support sustainable campus mobility.
  1. Bicycle Parking & End‑of‑Trip Facilities
    • At Callaghan campus, we have two fully enclosed Bike Hubs (East & West) offering secure bike storage, lockers, showers, and tyre pumps. Access is via staff/student card, and hubs operate 24/7.
    • On the Newcastle City Campus, bike hubs and end-of-trip facilities (lockers, showers, repair stands) are located at University House (adjacent to NUspace) and in the ground floor of the Q Building. Access is 24/7 via staff/student ID.
    • These facilities assist commuters to cycle safely and assure them of amenities once on campus.
  2. Cycle Routes & Active Travel Promotion
    • We encourage walking, cycling, and public transport in our “Getting to campus” communications.
    • With no general university parking on site at the Newcastle City Campus, cycling is a convenient transport choice - plus it's great for your health and one of the most sustainable travel options.
    • As part of new building projects (for example, the Q Building), we integrate sustainable transport elements including bike hubs and hybrid shuttle‑bus connectivity.
  1. Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
    • The University has installed dual EV charging stations in central parking bays at Callaghan campus.
    • All on-campus charging stations are powered by 100 % renewable electricity via our supplier.
    • Charging is free (for up to 4 hours while actively charging), with fines applicable if a vehicle remains parked after charging is complete.
    • We are progressively converting our vehicle fleet to EVs.
  1. Ride‑Sharing, Carpool & Preferred Parking
    • The University partners with Liftango to facilitate carpooling for students and staff. Participants in Liftango get access to exclusive parking spaces on campus, providing a direct incentive to share trips rather than commute in separate vehicles.
    • Drop-off and pick-up zones for rideshare vehicles and taxis are designated at Callaghan and NUspace.
  1. Public Transport & Travel Concessions
    • The University advocates the use of public transport in its “Getting to campus” resources.
    • Students may be eligible for travel concessions (e.g. discounted fares).
    • We map and promote options combining public transport with walking or cycling legs.

Rideshare

The University of Newcastle actively promotes carpooling as a more sustainable alternative to single-occupancy vehicle travel. Through its partnership with Liftango, the University provides students and staff with a dedicated ridesharing app that connects drivers and passengers travelling to and from campus, helping to reduce the number of separate vehicles on the road.

To encourage participation, Liftango users can access free parking in 20 dedicated rideshare spaces behind the Conservatorium at Newcastle City Campus. Drivers must complete a matched rideshare trip with at least one passenger to be eligible to use the designated spaces, providing a direct incentive for students and staff to carpool rather than commute individually by car.

Our 2025 insights:
  • 14,985 matched rides
  • 18,546 total requests
  • 457 registered users
  • 24,580 kg carbon dioxide (CO2) saved
  • 7,491 cars removed
  • 99,795 km distance travelled

Students sitting in a white car that is parked in a designated rideshare spot in a parking area surrounded by tall trees

These 2025 results demonstrate active use of the program and its contribution to reducing individual vehicle journeys and associated transport emissions.

Liftango also partners with Pachama to offset emissions generated by trips made through its carpool technology, further reducing the environmental impact of ridesharing. Together, the dedicated rideshare platform, free parking incentives and emissions-offsetting initiative provide practical support for students and staff to adopt more sustainable commuting behaviours.

Users benefit from free parking in 20 exclusive spaces located behind The Conservatorium at Newcastle City Campus. Plus, Liftango has partnered with Pachama to offset the emissions of every trip made by drivers and passengers using their carpool technology.

When arranging a trip, your notification that you have a bay allocated to you is your permission to park in that area. As this is a high demand area, please ensure you cancel any matched trips that will not proceed so others can be allocated a bay.

Shuttles

NUspace Shuttle

The NUspace Shuttle is a free inter-campus service that runs Monday to Friday from 7:10am – 10:15pm between Callaghan and Newcastle City campuses available to staff and students. The shuttle services NUspace and the surrounding buildings before travelling past the Q Building and stopping at Marketown before making its way back to Callaghan.

The shuttle service runs during semester on a 30-minute frequency. During semester break the shuttle changes to an hourly service.

To use the shuttle, all you need to do is tap your student or staff card at the reader when getting on the bus. Wi-Fi is also available for you to use while travelling.

The best way to track the shuttle and access timetable information is through the myUni App. The Shuttles tile in the myUni app will show the current location of the shuttle in real time and you can also see information about connections with other campus shuttles like the station and security shuttles. You can also use the Getting around tile to open up maps to get you where you need to go once you are on campus.

Here are a couple of ways to find information about accessing myUni App as a student or as a staff member.

Operation Schedule and Timetables
NUspace Shuttle Route
NUspace Shuttle Route Stops
Important NUspace Shuttle information
  • Unless specified all arrival times are estimated. Whilst all efforts have been made travel times may vary depending on traffic conditions. Please arrive ten minutes prior to the departure time to ensure you do not miss your bus service.
  • Departures from the Design bus stop and from NUspace are scheduled departure times. When catching the bus from either of these stops you may have a short delay whilst the bus waits for its designated departure time.
  • The NUspace Shuttle service operates Monday – Friday only and does not operate on weekends. See the Operations schedule for more information on peak and non-peak periods or refer to the timetable in the myUni App (Shuttle tile).

Callaghan Station Shuttle

Travelling between the Warabrook train station and the broader Callaghan campus, this service operates Monday to Friday during Semester between 8:00am to 10:00am. The service operates on a continuous loop stopping at Warabrook Train Station (Carpark 16 - one of the free car parks) and Shortland Union building (Carpark 5). See the route map for details.

This service is available for staff, student and the community to get around our campuses - no need to show your University ID card.

Callaghan Campus Loop (Campus Security Shuttle)

The Campus Security Shuttle operates on a continuous loop around Callaghan Campus between 8:00am to 4:00pm in semester times. See the route map for more info. Staff and students can visit the myUni app to track the shuttle in real time.

This service is available for staff, student and the community to get around our campuses - no need to show your University ID card.

Callaghan Security Night Shuttle

From 6:30pm up until 1:00am you can call the Callaghan Security Shuttle to arrange a pick up. The night service takes passengers to locations on-campus and nearby suburbs including Jesmond, Shortland, Birmingham Gardens and Waratah West in a three kilometre radius from campus. Click here to see the off-campus boundary map.

For the Security Shuttle night service you can arrange a pick-up by calling 4921 5888 and then pressing '2'. Staff and students can visit the myUni app to track the shuttle in real time.