Commercial Transportation 

Chartered or public transportation (bus service, light rail, subway), taxi cab service, trains and limited ride sharing are all allowable under most circumstances under MICA Transportation Policy.  The college realizes these forms of transportation are not always practical because of reasons of flexibility of scheduled service, destination restrictions, number of trip participants and cost.  Choice of transportation method is ultimately the responsibility of the departments and their supervisors.  Transportation Services and Campus Services are available to discuss issues of cost and risk if those issues arise.

For more information on policies and procedures related to business travel, see MICA Business and Expense Policy here.

Ride-Sharing

MICA allows employees (staff and faculty) to utilize ride-sharing services for their own MICA-related business.  Staff should not authorize ride-sharing for student travel other than as a last resort.  Faculty wishing to consider ride-sharing should review the appropriate Academic Field Trip and Site Visit policies here.   Information on ride-sharing and safety tips can be found in “Addendum B – Ride-Sharing” or at the end of this policy.  If you are uncertain of whether or not to utilize ride-sharing for your activity, please contact the Campus Services Office for consultation at 410-225-2490.

Trips Using MICA Shuttles and Buses

MICA’s Transportation Department has a fleet of 14-passenger shuttles and 25-passenger buses which are available on a first-come/first served basis, at a set fee based on the time length (4-hour shifts) of trips.  MICA-owned shuttles and buses are only available for trips within Maryland and Washington, D.C.  Reservations for 14-passenger shuttles and 25-passenger buses may be made by emailing transportation@mica.edu.  A trip reservation form is attached at the end of this policy and can also be found on the MICA’s Transportation Services webpage at Office of Transportation Services.

Trips Using Coach Services

For trips of larger groups, or trips outside Maryland and Washington, D.C. limits, MICA utilizes coach buses, charged directly to the requesting department using that department’s college credit card.  Booking of coach bus trips (which require a non-refundable deposit) can be made, but is not required, with the assistance of the Transportation Department at transportation@mica.edu or by calling 410-225-2430.  The Transportation Department utilizes Woodlawn Motor Coach because they are dependable and are authorized by the U.S. Department of Transportation to travel outside state boundaries.  Woodlawn also carries levels of insurance that MICA requires, including for when a department is transporting minors.  If a department wishes to use a coach/bus company other than Woodlawn Motor Coach, we require that the company is authorized to travel outside of the state and carry general liability insurance of at least $5,000,000 (for which they should provide the department a certificate of insurance or COI).  For more information on coach/bus companies insurance and licensing, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation “Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration SAFER” database webpage here.   Any contracted coach service with a rating lower than “Satisfactory” may not be hired for MICA business- or activities-related purposes. 

MICA Departmental Vehicle Use

Some departments have vehicles that are specifically designated for the use of those departments.  Those may not be used except by authorized drivers of those departments.  The Facilities Management Department has a fleet of vehicles utilized for specific purposes for use on and around campus.  If you would like to have a Facilities Management authorized driver move materials for your department from one on-campus location to another, you may request that use through a Facilities Maintenance Requests. 

NOTE: MICA does not permit any department or employee to purchase, lease or rent 15-passenger vans for MICA-related business or MICA-related activities due to the potential for roll-over accidents of these vehicles.  

MICA does not permit the use of scooters, bicycles or golf carts for business-related or activities-related travel sanctioned by the college. MICA does not carry insurance for the use of scooters, bicycles or golf carts and will not be held liable for any injuries or damage from the use of said vehicles.