Transportation Options
Carleton can seem isolated if you do not know how to travel to and from Northfield sustainably. Fortunately, the transportation options discussed on this page can help Carls get to interviews, concerts, and family events in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.
Campus Shuttles: Carleton works to make several transportation options available to students, faculty, and staff. These options include Northfield Transit, the LOCAL bus, Eco-Trans (formerly Caretenders), and other bus and shuttle services.
St. Olaf Online Rideboard: St. Olaf has an online Rideboard accessible to Carleton community members across the river. Carleton and St. Olaf faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to post trips with their own vehicle(s) online. Posting rides encourages ridesharing and allows travelers to share costs.
Megabus: This bus offers individuals a method of arriving at nearby cities and costs less than most bus companies. Also, it does not stop at many cities en route. Students, faculty, and staff can take the Megabus from Minneapolis directly to Chicago, Madison, or Milwaukee and then on to cities such as Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City, and others.
Campus Fleet Vehicles: Carleton College owns 13 fleet vehicles. The fleet includes four Toyota Prius hybrid gas/electric vehicles with a fuel efficiency rating of 46 mpg. Eligible drivers can use these vehicles for College business.
Vanpool: Carleton faculty and staff are beginning to form vanpools through a commuter vanpool program, Van-Go. This program, sponsored by the Metropolitan Council, allows commuters who live or work in the Twin Cities metro area to share a ride to work. Van-Go offers vanpoolers many perks and allows commuters to form their own vanpool with a minimum of five people.
White & Yellow Bikes: The Carleton Yellow Bike Club is a small student run and organized club that accepts old bikes, puts them in working order, and distributes them around campus for use by anyone in the Carleton community. Club members paint the bikes white or yellow and ask that riders do not take the bikes off campus.
Carsharing: Carleton now offers a rideshare program in cooperation with WeCar. More information can be found at the Campus services website.
Other Rideshare & Vanpool Websites: If you are not able to find a suitable rideshare partner at Carleton, don't despair! These resources may help you locate a carpool partner for a cross country trip or a daily commute.