Parking & Transportation

GRTC City Buses

Richmond is not DC or NYC, so unfortunately you are not going to be able to go everywhere on the bus at any hour, but the GRTC buses are reliable and clean and can be very nice when parking’s an issue. Currently for 1 semester a GRTC pass through VCU costs $100 (with a $25 dollar replacement fee for a lost/stolen card). Visit the VCU Parking website to purchase a bus pass and have it mailed to you, or visit the parking office to pick one up. You must present your VCU ID each time you use your bus pass.

The RamRide's VCU Campus Connector is great, free option for students going between the MCV campus in downtown to the undergraduate campus in the Fan District. It travels between Sanger Hall at the MCV campus to Cabell Library at the undergraduate campus, with stop points every few blocks along the way. No bus pass is necessary—simply present your VCU ID.
Free RamRide shuttles run between most of the MCV parking lots, as well as between the VCU campus and the MCV campus.
Stuck on campus late at night? RamSafe is the point-to-point evening transportation service dedicated for VCU students, faculty and staff. The program provides free transportation to on-campus locations and nearby residences and buildings within defined boundaries on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. VCU students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit their requests at ramsafe.vcu.edu or 828-SAFE (7233) between the hours of 5pm and 8am to schedule a ride. RamSafe operates 365 days a year. Faculty, staff and students on the MCV Campus should continue to contact 828-WALK (9255) for MCV Campus transports.

Parking is difficult around the MCV Campus unless you have a VCU Permit.
Street parking in Shockoe Bottom is an option, but will add 10 minutes of walking time.
Street parking throughout the city is free after 6 PM on weeknights, and free on Saturdays and Sundays. Conveniently, the hospital visitor parking deck is free each weekend.

K Deck (7th & Marshall St. Deck)

$222/semester
About a 5-minute walk from MMEC and the hospital. Also about a 5 minute walk from Larrick student center gym
Permit timeframes are from 7am-2am, although your student ID card will allow you to enter the parking garage earlier
Pros: One of the closest lots to MMEC and hospital. Lots of parking spaces available.
Cons: More expensive than A lot and not conveniently adjacent to Larrick student center gym like 8th Street Deck.

A Lot (Broad Street/Franklin & 15th)

About $175.50/semester (rate changes each semester, so check ahead of purchasing)
A shuttle service (the RamRide Sanger Express route) takes students/employees from the lot to Sanger Hall (Marshall and 11th) from 5a to 8p on weekdays. (Note: this route is non-stop)
Outside of the Sanger Express operation hours students can use RamSafe for transportation to and from the lot.
During daylight hours most students elect to walk up and down the hill separating the lot from campus to add an extra cardio workout into their day!
Pros: One of the closest lots to MMEC and the hospital. It is an open lot so you do not have to deal with traffic that builds up in parking garages due to congestion.
Cons: It is located in a portion of Shockoe bottom that occasionally experiences criminal activity. The lot is monitored on weekdays by VCU parking though.

8th Street Deck (659 N. 8th St.)

About $222/semester (rate changes, so check)
A little bit further than A lot and N deck, but still pretty close to campus (it is located next to the Larrick student center gym, so many students buy passes for the 8th street deck as extra motivation to workout)
A shuttle service (the RamRide Medical Center route) takes students/employees from a stop outside the deck to Sanger Hall (Marshall and 11th) from 5:30a to 8p on weekdays. (Note: this route makes multiple stops including the bookstore, coliseum deck, and I lot)
Pros: Safe, well-lit deck located next to Larrick student center. Also a relatively quick walk to MMEC.
Cons: Is more expensive than A-lot and is prone to traffic congestion at certain times.

I Lot (7th Street)

About $175.50/semester (rate changes each semester, so check ahead of purchasing)
A shuttle service (the RamRide Medical Center route) takes students/employees from the lot to Sanger Hall (Marshall and 11th) from 5:30a to 8p on weekdays. (Note: this route makes multiple stops including the bookstore, 8th street deck, and coliseum deck)
Outside of the Sanger Express operation hours students can use RamSafe for transportation to and from the lot.
Pros: This is always the last lot to sell out of parking passes. Thus if you suddenly need to purchase a pass late in the semester there is always availability.
Cons: This lot is located across I-95 from campus, thus people rarely choose to walk to campus from the lot. Additionally it is located in an unsavory area. The lot is monitored on weekdays by VCU parking though.

N Deck (E Leigh St and N 10th St)

Passes are not currently being sold to students for N deck due to increased demand for parking passes by faculty and staff.
Student parking pass subscribers are allowed to park in N deck between the hours of 4p-2a on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends as a "subscriber privilege."

D Deck (Attached to the hospital on N 13th St)

Passes are not sold to students for D deck due as it is reserved for faculty and staff.
Student parking pass subscribers are allowed to park in D deck between the hours of 4p-2a on weekdays and 7a-2a on weekends as a "subscriber privilege."

Meters after 6 PM

VCU Hospital Parking

The deck located behind Tompkins-McCaw Library is free on weekends beginning at 6 PM on Fridays

Private Lots

The policy on these changes a lot; they may or may not be marked for VCU, and you may not be able to park in them. Don't risk it unless you're sure!
Corner of 17th & Broad st.
This lot is NOT monitored.