Transportation

Bike to work day 2015

Staff ride bicycles to work from Philadelphia for Bike-to-Work Day in May 2015.

At Swarthmore, we recognize that transportation is a key contributor to our campus carbon footprint, and we think critically about how we can reduce our impact and promote walking, biking, and the use of public transportation. Check out the Office of Sustainability's  Sustainable Travel Guidelines or read more about our programs and opportunities below. 
 

Shuttle Services

The college operates shuttles to help community members get to nearby colleges, Philadelphia, the airport, and local shopping destinations. Some shuttle routes, such as the Garnet Shuttle, can be found on the Transloc Rider app.

Faculty and Staff SEPTA Program

The college is well served by the area's transit authority -- SEPTA -- which runs buses, subway, and light rail throughout the greater Philadelphia region. 

An employee survey conducted in 2023 indicated that about 18% of College faculty and staff members use public transit (regional rail, subway, bus, etc.) for commuting to campus. Following the launch of free SEPTA passes for students in Fall 2023, the College developed a similar pilot program for faculty and staff to support increased use of public transportation. More information about eligibility and how to enroll in the Faculty and Staff SEPTA program can be found here.

For more information about all forms of public transportation in Swarthmore and the Philadelphia region, please see the College's Mass Transit page.

Commuting Benefit Program

Swarthmore participates in a Commuter Benefit Program, which allows employees to have pre-tax dollars deducted from their paycheck to purchase public transportation vouchers. More information is available from Human Resources.

Driving on Campus

Electric Vehicle Stations. The College maintains eight electric vehicle charging stations (2 ports each) across campus. Learn more about the charging station locations and the College's Electric Vehicle Charging Station Policy here.
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Bikes on Campus

Bike Storage: Bike racks are provided throughout the campus, making bike commuting and inter-campus travel easy. Some bike racks, like those in the PPR Apartments, are fully protected from the weather.

Showers: Students, faculty, and staff have access to showers in the Matchbox facility and in the Lang Performing Arts Center. This is helpful resource for campus members who commute via bike or use bikes on campus.


For more information about getting around the greater Philadelphia area, please refer to our Getting Around page.