Every day our community travels to and from campus, and emissions from those journeys add up. Commuting is one of the University's largest sources of Scope 3 emissions, with most emissions coming from single-occupancy private vehicle (car) trips.
The good news? Even small changes can make a meaningful difference. Swapping to a low-carbon option once or twice a week can reduce emissions and support your mental and physical wellbeing. Use our top tips below to start your carbon smart commuting journey:
- Try one small change: Choose one commute per week to try a lower-emissions mode of transport, then continue implementing these small changes consistently to reduce your emissions over time.
- Plan your route: Use the Transport Canberra Journey Planner or ACT walking and cycling maps to plan ahead.
- Combine modes for flexibility and increase your confidence: If you’re not ready for a full-distance cycle or walk, combine public transport with active travel to gradually build your confidence and ability.
- Connect with others: Join the ANU Green Network to connect with neighbours, share a spare seat or find someone to walk, ride or catch public transport with.
- Share what works: Let your peers know what is working for you, small positive actions can inspire change.
Commuting smarter doesn't have to be about doing everything at once. It is about choosing what works for you. Whether you can walk, cycle, use public transport or share a trip, our Commute Smart Guide brings together practical options, tools and tips to help you get started on your journey.
Quick links
Plan your trip
On-campus information
Active travel support
Community and reporting
Travel sustainably to ANU
Active Travel
Active travel is the lowest-emissions mode of transport and helps boost mood and increase weekly movement.
Walking, cycling and running are among the lowest-emission ways to commute. For many people living near ANU, active travel via Canberra’s extensive network of walking and cycling paths is also convenient, affordable and supports physical and mental wellbeing.
Regular active travel is linked to improved mood, reduced stress and stronger social connection. Even short journeys can contribute to better overall health while reducing congestion and emissions, an internationally recognised ‘win-win’ for sustainability and wellbeing.
ANU supports active travel through:
- Access to bike shelters and end-of-trip facilities (showers and lockers)
- Salary sacrifice options for eligible staff purchasing e-bikes
- Cycling safety tips and e-scooter safety guidance from Campus Environment
- Shared e-scooter and e-bike devices
Major public transport interchanges are within a 5–15 minute walk of most parts of campus, making it easy to combine public and active travel. Hesitant to walk in the heat, rain or cold? Hop on the ANU–Civic Loop Bus, a free, wheelchair-accessible service connecting our Acton campus with public transport interchanges in Civic.
Safety
Staff and students are encouraged to use lighted footpaths when walking on campus at night. ANUOK is the official safety and wellbeing app for our ANU community. ANU Security can escort you from University buildings to car parks, halls and colleges at night. Call 6125 2249.
Cycle Smart Program
As of March 2026, we are currently piloting the Cycle Smart program, a ten-week pilot program available to ANU staff, addressing real challenges we have been told are faced when cycling to campus. The program helps build confidence, address safety concerns, develop route knowledge and basic maintenance skills. Places are capped at 20 participants to keep the experience supportive and personalised.
We are planning to host another intake in Spring 2026. Stay up to date through the ANU Green Network and Instagram to know when expressions of interest for the next intake open.
Public Transport
Transport Canberra light rail and buses reduces emissions per passenger and removes parking stress.
Canberra’s public transport network provides lower-emission options for travelling to Civic and Campus, now even more connected through the ANU-Civic Loop Bus.
Public transport can reduce emissions and ease congestion, while also lowering the mental load of driving and parking. Your commute time can become time to read, listen or simply reset before the day begins or as the day ends.
Public transport options in Canberra include:
- Bus routes that stop on or around campus
- Light rail services connecting Gungahlin to Civic (5-6 minute peak frequency)
- MyWay+ payment options including card, pass app or ticket and concession rates for full-time students
- Park and Ride locations across Canberra
- Bike and ride options (most buses carry two bikes and light rail carries four)
Use the ACT journey planner to map out your best route.
ANU-Civic Loop Bus
The ANU-Civic Loop Bus is a free, wheelchair accessible campus service connecting our Acton campus with Civic and supporting shared and lower-impact commuting. The bus loops around campus every 20 minutes, Monday to Friday 7.50am – 7.30pm (excluding public holidays), as part of a pilot running February to August 2026.
The bus supports lower-carbon commuting by making it easier to share transport or combine public transport, walking and cycling with your commute. View routes, timetables and stop locations.
Shared Travel
Using shared travel services like e-scooters, flexicar and rideshare can reduce your impact.
Sharing a journey reduces fuel use, congestion, costs and emissions. Even sharing your commute one or two days per week can significantly reduce your impact.
Options include:
- Using shared e-scooters available across the city
- Flexicar carshare vehicles located on campus (hybrid options available)
- Rideshare services operating across Canberra
Visit the ANU Campus Environment website for safety information about using e-scooters on campus.
Driving and Parking
Carpooling, hybrid commuting or using an electric vehicles can reduce your emissions.
For some members of our community driving to campus is necessary, but there are still ways to reduce your impact:
- Carpool where possible
- Try hybrid commuting (drive part-way, then walk, cycle or use public transport)
- Consider transitioning to an electric vehicle
- If you only need access to a car during the day (i.e. to attend an appointment off campus), try using a Flexicar
Visit the ANU transport and parking website for information on parking on ANU campuses.
Electric vehicles at ANU
If you are considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), there are several options that can help make the transition more affordable.
Eligible staff can explore the University’s novated lease and salary sacrifice arrangements for low-emissions vehicles. The Australian Government’s Electric Car Exemption may exempt eligible EVs from Fringe Benefits Tax under a novated lease, reducing overall costs. The ACT Government also offers zero-emissions vehicle incentives to support EV uptake.
EV charging stations are available at:
- School of Art and Design (six fast chargers)
- Fulton Muir Building car park (five fast chargers)
- Geology Close car park (dual-port charger)
Check PlugShare.com for more information on these locations.
Safety notice to all staff and students for charging your EV on campus
Please be aware that you can only charge your electric vehicle on Acton campus using an allocated EV charging bay. Charging your EV using other methods is not permitted and may be unsafe.
For instance, while it is possible to charge an electric car with an extension cable using a standard 3-pin plug, experts and safety groups advise against their use to charge an electric car because of the associated safety risks.
Extension cords aren't typically made to handle the high and sustained electrical current needed for EV charging over extended periods. Carrying these high loads for sustained periods of time can lead to potential hazards such as overheating or electrical fires.
If you see this behaviour occurring or observe the installation of external powerpoints for use in EV charging (i.e. not an allocated EV charging bay), please notify the ANU Parking office at (02) 6125 0179 during office hours, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Outside of these hours, please call ANU Security (02) 6125 2249.
For life threatening emergencies first call 000 (or 0000 if dialling from an internal phone).
Understanding ANU Commuting Emissions
Commuting represents a significant share of the University's Scope 3 emissions, the emissions generated through activities connected to the University, but not directly controlled by it.
To better understand our impact, ANU Green conducts a Commuting and Working from Home Survey every two years. The survey provides insights into how our community travels, how often we commute, the associated emissions and common barriers to reducing emissions from travel. This data helps us track progress, identify opportunities for change and design initiatives that better support lower-carbon travel choices.
Our most recent survey was conducted in 2025. Read the Commuting and working from home survey report (PDF, 210 KB) to explore key findings.
Progress on our commuting work is reviewed regularly and reported annually through our various reports and publications.
ANU staff or student? Join the ANU Green Network.
Stay up to date on sustainability at ANU.
