Getting Around Campus

Taking the Bus to University of Minnesota
from University Commons

Quick Answer

The University of Minnesota's Campus Connector (Route 121) is a free shuttle that loops between the East Bank, West Bank, and St. Paul campuses, with a stop at Transitway and 23rd Avenue, the closest stop to University Commons. During the fall and spring semesters, buses run about every 7 minutes on weekdays. During summer session, buses run every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check GopherTrip for live arrival times before you head out.

Your Route

Campus Connector (Route 121)

University Commons is a short walk from the Campus Connector's Transitway and 23rd Avenue stop on the East Bank. From there, the free shuttle loops through West Bank and continues to the St. Paul campus, making it the most direct way to reach classes, labs, or the Student Center on the other side of the river without a car. The route runs continuously in a loop, so there is no need to worry about catching a bus going only one direction.

Route 121's regular weekday stops are:

Blegen HallWest Bank
Coffman Memorial UnionEast Bank
Oak and UniversityEast Bank
Transitway and 23rd AvenueEast Bank, nearest to University Commons
Transitway and CommonwealthSt. Paul
State Fairgrounds Lot 108St. Paul
Buford and GortnerSt. Paul
St. Paul Student CenterSt. Paul
Thompson CenterEast Bank
Ridder ArenaEast Bank
Jones-Eddy CircleEast Bank
Bruininks HallEast Bank

Because stop locations and detours can shift with construction or campus events, use GopherTrip or the interactive system map to confirm the current stop lineup and the exact walking distance from your unit before your first ride.

Step by Step

How to Catch the Bus

Find your stop
Walk to Transitway and 23rd Avenue, the closest Campus Connector stop to University Commons, and confirm its current location on the interactive system map since stop placement can shift during detours or construction.
Check the live arrival time
Open GopherTrip on your phone to see exactly how many minutes away the next bus is, so you are not standing outside guessing.
Board for free
Board through any door when the bus pulls up. The Campus Connector is free for everyone, students, staff, and visitors alike, so there is no fare card or U Card tap required.
Ride to West Bank or St. Paul and exit
Listen for the onboard stop announcements and press the request stop button as your destination approaches, whether that is Blegen Hall on West Bank or the Student Center in St. Paul.
Schedule at a Glance

When Route 121 Runs

Frequency changes by term. Summer session hours are confirmed below. Fall and Spring semester hours will follow the University's published academic calendar once posted, at a frequency of about every 7 minutes on weekdays, per the University's own service update.

Term
Hours
Frequency
Summer session (current)
7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., weekdays
Every 15 minutes
Fall and Spring semesters
Check live schedule for exact hours
About every 7 minutes, weekdays

Source: University of Minnesota Parking and Transportation Services, Campus Connector (#121) route page. Hours and frequency are set by the University and subject to change, especially around bridge closures, construction detours, and academic breaks. Verify before you rely on a specific time.

Stay on Schedule

Checking the Live Schedule

Printed schedules are a good starting point, but live tracking is the most reliable way to know when your bus will actually arrive, especially with the current bridge detour in effect.

📱
GopherTrip
The University's live bus tracker shows real time locations and arrival estimates for the Campus Connector and every other campus route. Access it at umn.rider.peaktransit.com.
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Interactive System Map
See the full campus bus network, current stop locations, and route paths on the University's interactive ArcGIS map, linked from the Campus Connector route page.
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Rider Alerts
Check the University's rider alerts page for active detours, closed stops, and schedule changes before you head out.
What It Costs

Fares

Everyone
Free to Ride
  • Campus Connector, any stop $0.00
  • U Card or fare card required No
  • Eligible riders Students, staff, and visitors

All University of Minnesota campus circulator routes, including the Campus Connector, are free to ride for anyone, not just enrolled students. If a University Commons resident also plans to ride Metro Transit's regional routes off campus, those follow Metro Transit's own separate fare structure.

Common Questions

Bus Riding FAQ

Does the Campus Connector stop at University Commons?
The Campus Connector does not stop directly at the building. The closest served stop is Transitway and 23rd Avenue on the East Bank, a short distance from University Commons at 609 SE Huron Blvd. Because exact walking distance from your specific unit can vary, use the GopherTrip live map or the interactive system map to confirm the closest stop before your first ride.
Is the Campus Connector free for University Commons residents?
Yes. The Campus Connector is free to ride for everyone, including University of Minnesota students, staff, and the general public. There is no fare card, U Card tap, or ID check required to board, unlike Metro Transit's regional routes.
How do I check when the next bus is coming?
Use GopherTrip, the University of Minnesota's live tracking tool, to see real time bus locations and estimated arrival minutes at any stop. The interactive system map also shows the current route path and stop locations for all campus routes, including the Campus Connector.
Does the Campus Connector run the same schedule during breaks and summer as during the semester?
No. Frequency changes by term. During the summer session, buses run every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. During the fall and spring semesters, when the University's Route 126 Campus Express also operates, Campus Connector departures run about every 7 minutes on weekdays. Always check the live schedule on the University's Parking and Transportation Services site before relying on a specific time, since hours can shift between semester, break, and summer service.
What if I miss the bus or it's running behind schedule?
Because the Campus Connector runs as often as every 7 minutes during the semester and every 15 minutes in summer, another bus is rarely far behind. Check GopherTrip for the live estimate on the next arrival, and check the University's rider alerts page for any detours or delays affecting the route before you head out, especially during construction or bridge closures.
Are there other ways to get to the rest of campus from University Commons?
The Campus Connector is the most direct free option for reaching West Bank and St. Paul, but University Commons residents also have access to Metro Transit's regional Route 2 and the METRO E Line along nearby University Avenue SE for trips beyond campus, plus other University of Minnesota circulator routes such as the East Bank Circulator, University Avenue Circulator, and Dinkytown Connector for shorter hops around East Bank. Contact the University Commons leasing office for general guidance on commute options, or check the University's Parking and Transportation Services site for the full campus transit map.

Questions About Getting Around Campus?

The University Commons leasing team can point you to the nearest stop and answer questions about your commute to West Bank or St. Paul.

Contact the Leasing Office View Floor Plans
University Commons · 609 SE Huron Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55414 · (651) 386-2775
University Commons is committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local fair housing laws. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. Bus schedules, routes, and fares are operated and set by the University of Minnesota's Parking and Transportation Services, an independent campus transit provider, and are subject to change without notice.