Bicycle stand in the colors of the rainbow

Mobility and transport

Offers for environmentally friendly mobility at the University of Jena
Bicycle stand in the colors of the rainbow
Image: twarezak/pixabay

The transport sector is responsible for almost 20 percent of total emissions in Germany. According to the UmweltbundesamtExternal link (Federal Environment Agency), the main reasons for this are the continued growth in private motorized transport and increasing sales of diesel fuels. The university would like to support its members in moving to work or lectures in an environmentally friendly way.

Eco-friendly travelling to the university

  • Semester ticket for students
    Tram und bus stop sign of the University of Jena
    Tram und bus stop sign of the University of Jena
    Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)

    All students regularly enrolled at the University of Jena are automatically in possession of a ticket for the regional public transport system due to the semester ticket included in the semester fee. Thus, for distances to and from the university that can not be covered on foot or by bicycle, students can easily use public transport.

    Specifically, the Semestertickt can be used on the trams and buses of Jena's local public transport system (Jenaer Nahverkehr) as well as on local trains operated by Deutsche Bahn or Abellio Rail in Thuringia. With the included VMT ticket, students can also use all lines in the area of the Verkehrsverbund Mittelthüringen (VMT), for example also those of the Erfurt public transport company, the PVG Weimarer Land and others. It is sufficient to show the valid student card Thoska.

    Bicycles can also be taken on local trains within Thuringia without additional payment. For the buses and trams within Jena, however, an additional ticket must be purchased to take bicycles with you.

    Detailed information about the validity of the semester ticket can be found on the website of the StudierendenwerkExternal link.

    Semesterticket update: The Deutschlandticket has been available since 2023. With this, is it possible to e the local public transport in whole Germany. By paying the difference you can upgrade your semester ticket to the Deutschlandticket. All information about this is also available on the website of the StudierendenwerkExternal link.

  • VMT job ticket for employees

    With the Jobticket, all employees of the University of Jena have the opportunity to purchase discounted route time tickets (discount level 10%) of the VMT. Possible are annual tickets with one-time payment or annual tickets with monthly payment. With the City Tariff, annual tickets for the city area of Jena (bus/tram) are also possible.

    For more information on the Job Ticket, please visit the website of the Office for Travel Expenses.

    Unfortunately, as of September 2023, there is not yet the possibility to purchase the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket.

  • Cycling
    Two persons riding their bicycle on a forest path.
    Two persons riding their bicycle on a forest path.
    Image: Manfred Antranias Zimmer/pixabay

    Many routes in Jena can be covered by bicycle. At the Ernst-Abbe-Campus near the passage to Krautgasse is a repair station for bicycles. There, for example, tires can be pumped up. For larger repairs, you can receive support in the self-help workshop of the ADFC Jena-SaaletalExternal link. The ADFC also regularly organizes repair days on campus together with the Green Office and the StuRa.

    And for those who do not yet have a bike available, the ADFC offers inexpensive bikes refurbished in the workshop on electronic bulletin boardExternal link.

    If something larger has to be transported, students can borrow a cargo bike from the student health management.

  • Car Sharing

    In case you should need a car, you have the possibility as a holder of a VMT subscription and the VMT semester ticket to use teilAuto vehicles at favorable conditions. You can find all the information about this on the website of the VMTExternal link.

Mobility Report 2022

People travel through Jena by different means of transport
People travel through Jena by different means of transport
Image: Thomas Franke-Opitz

With the objective of identifying CO2 saving potentials and creating demand-oriented offers for more climate-friendly mobility and environmentally friendly working conditions, a mobility survey was conducted at the university last year. The participation of 4,200 university members demonstrates the relevance of the topic. The results of the survey are now published in the Mobility Report 2022. The results show that a large proportion of students and employees already travel to the university in an environmentally friendly manner. However, many still rely on the car or prefer it due to the lack of attractive alternatives. The Green Office would like to continue its efforts to improve the mobility of University members and to increase the convenience of traveling by public transportation and bicycle. For example, by providing covered and theft-proof bicycle parking and engaging with the city and state for better public transportation connections.