Travel update for students commuting to campus by car or bus
By: Maria Andreou
Last updated: Tuesday, 7 January 2025
Parking enforcement is active on campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
It’s assessment period now and some of you will be commuting to campus throughout this month, to take exams or study in the Library.
We encourage all students to use sustainable transport means when travelling to campus, but car parking spaces are also available to those driving to the University.
Remember that campus car parks have gone digital with cameras monitoring vehicle number plates and charges always applying.
Changes to Visitor parking charge times
For most of you, Visitor parking charges apply during campus peak hours, but some exceptions apply. Please check the eligibility criteria to see if you qualify for a Full-Time or Off-Peak Student Parking Permit.
The Off-Peak Student Parking Permit is valid overnight from 5pm to 8am on weekdays, and all day at weekends but, you will need to pay for standard Visitor parking Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.
Visitor parking user? Please note, in response to feedback regarding Visitor parking when arriving on campus for a 9am start, and as part of continuous efforts to improve our parking services, we have made changes to the start time of daytime – and the end time of overnight – rate. The following Visitor parking fees apply 24/7:
- Up to 1 hour: Free
- Up to 2 hours: £3
- Up to 4 hours: £4
- Up to 9 hours: £7
- 5pm to 8am (flat fee): £4.50
Visitor parking is now available for up to nine hours (it was previously eight hours), during core daytime hours 8am to 5pm, with the fee of £7 now lasting for up to nine hours. A flat fee of £4.50 will be charged for Visitor parking between 5pm and 8am.
This means, if you arrive and pay for Visitor parking just before 9am, you will no longer pay the overnight charge.
Remember, if you don’t have a student parking permit, you will need to ensure you pay Visitor parking charges to avoid being fined.
Paying for Visitor parking
Payment for general Visitor parking is managed through PayByPhone – via the mobile app, website or by calling 01273 78 5599. Location codes are displayed at all campus car parks and can also be found on the Visitor parking webpages.
Being dropped off to campus or getting picked up? The first hour of parking is free of charge and no payment is required for short stays that don’t exceed 60 minutes.
Blue Badge holders
Blue Badge holders can park anywhere on campus for free.
Although you don’t need to apply for a parking permit, please register your vehicle details with the Transport Office so that your vehicle can be recognised by the ANPR cameras as being exempt from charges and to avoid being issued a fine.
Commuting by bus? Ticket prices have changed
This year, the single journey bus fare price-cap has increased to £3 (it was previously £2) and fares that would be below £3 without the cap, have been allowed to rise in line with inflation.
Wondering what other fare options you have? Day passes under the CitySAVER option on the Brighton & Hove Buses mobile app now cost £4.40 for students. Under this option, you can also get a 60-minute ticket for £3.40.
Additionally, there is a £1 fare for shorter journeys, but only until 31 January 2025. Don’t forget to check the NetworkSAVER ticket options also and read more about the recent changes to bus fares on the Brighton & Hove Buses website.
Find out more
For more information about parking on campus, visit the Transport Office webpages, and don’t forget to read these answers to frequently asked questions.
For specific transport enquiries, please contact the Transport Office directly at transport@sef.fm / 01273 87 (6538).