50th Annual ARSC Conference (Bloomington, Indiana on May 11-14, 2016)
Travel, Parking, and Weather Information
Travel by Air:
The Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is approximately 48 miles from the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU) Biddle Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington (if you attempt to book a flight to "Bloomington" you will likely end up in a different state!). The airport is serviced by Air Canada, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United, and U.S. Airways. For more information about flights or the airport, visit the airport website at www.indianapolisairport.com. Please make note of shuttle schedules before booking flights with late arrivals and early morning departures.
Shuttle Service:
There are two shuttle services that run back and forth between Bloomington and the Indianapolis airport. The trip takes about 90 minutes (due to road construction there may be unpredictable delays in the schedules - please keep this in mind when making reservations and plan accordingly). With either company, there is a slight savings if you order online, but if something happens to your flight and you miss the shuttle then you will have to wait another two hours at the airport for the next shuttle since tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. You can purchase tickets online or at the kiosk at the shuttle stop. Ticket vending machines are located at each pick-up location for the service. You may pay by using Visa/Master Card or Cash (exact amount only).
Star of America Shuttle is the lower cost option ($19 each way if ticket is purchased on the shuttle/$15 each way if purchased online 24 hours in advance) and departs from IND every two hours on the :20 of each hour between 6:20am and 10:20pm. You will arrive and depart from Zone 1 in the Ground Transportation Center- this building is located directly across from baggage claim area on the lower level of the main terminal. Directional signs can be found at the airport. Please note that the shuttle will be stopping off at Hampton Inn, McNutt (IU dorm), Eigenmann (IU dorm), and Read (IU dorm) before arriving at the IMU Conference Center and Hotel. Please note that departures from IMU to IND begin at 4:30am daily with the first shuttle arriving at IND at 6:10am.
Go Express Shuttle ($18 online/$20 at kiosk each way) and also departs from IND every two hours on the :40 of each hour between 6:40am and 10:40pm. The shuttle picks up at the Ground Transportation Center located across from baggage claim area on the lower level of the main terminal. You'll find the kiosk and ticket vending machine there. Please note that the shuttle will be stopping off at Holiday Inn, McNutt (IU dorm), IU apartments, Wilkie (IU dorm) before arriving at the IMU Conference Center and Hotel. Please note that departures from IMU to IND begin at 4:50am daily with the first shuttle arriving at IND at 6:30am.
Taxi Service:
Taxi service is available at the Indianapolis airport, at the curb on the lower level of the terminal just outside of baggage claim. There is a $15 minimum charge for all fares from the airport, regardless of distance. A shuttle is highly recommended over a taxi to Bloomington. The shuttles cost between $15 and $20, which is much less expensive than a taxi ride covering the 48 miles to Bloomington (estimated $80 minimum).
Limousine Service:
Shared-ride and personal limousine service is available in the Ground Transportation Center, located on the first floor of the Parking Garage. Those based in Bloomington include:
- Go Express offers Sedan service for 1-4 passengers at $97.00 total one-way
- Classic Touch Limo offers shared rides starting at $86 one-way per person.
Rental Cars:
Vehicle rental counters are located in the Ground Transportation Center (first floor of the Parking Garage). Rental companies located at the airport are listed below.
| Agency | Phone Number | Website |
| Alamo | (800) 327-9633 | www.alamo.com |
| Avis | (800) 230-4898 | www.avis.com |
| Budget | (800) 527-0700 | www.budget.com |
| Dollar Car Rental | (800) 800-3665 | www.dollar.com |
| Enterprise | (800) 736-8222 | www.enterprise.com |
| Hertz | (800) 654-3131 | www.hertz.com |
| National | (800) 227-7368 | www.nationalcar.com |
| Thrifty Car Rental | (800) 847-4389 | www.thrifty.com |
Greyhound:
Bloomington's Greyhound bus station is located at 217 W 6th St., about 0.7 miles from the IMU Conference Center and Hotel.
If you arrive by plane at IND, the Greyhound bus does pick up at the IND airport. However, the bus will take you into downtown Indianapolis where you will need to change buses to board the Greyhound bus destined for Bloomington.
Amtrak:
The closest Amtrak station to Bloomington is in Indianapolis, located at: 350 South Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225.
There is no Amtrak service to Bloomington, but the Greyhound bus station is located near the Indianapolis Amtrak station. It is possible to arrive in Indianapolis by train and continue to Bloomington by Greyhound bus (but make sure you give yourself plenty of time!), or take an Indy Express bus or taxi to the airport where you can transfer to Bloomington shuttles.
Uber/Lyft:
Uber has a presence in Indianapolis and Bloomington. Lyft's website lists Indianapolis as one of the cities it services. Uber or Lyft riders might be able to find a ride within Bloomington, or between Indianapolis and Bloomington.
Driving Directions:
The Indiana Memorial Union's address is: 900 E 7th St., Bloomington, IN, 47405
Please be aware of major road construction on S.R. 37 between Martinsville and Bloomington.
If you are coming from the:
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
If you are renting a car at the airport, the preferred route to Bloomington can be found on Google maps here. In brief, exit the airport and follow Col. H. Weir Cook Memorial Dr/Ameriplex Pkwy; use the 2nd from the right lane to keep left at the fork and follow signs for I70 W/Ameriplex S/I-70 E; keep right at the fork, follow signs for Interstate 70 W/St Louis/Ameriplex Pkwy S; keep right and merge onto Ameriplex Pkwy. In 5 miles, turn right at stoplight onto IN-67 S/Kentucky Ave. and continue south for 19 miles to stoplight at intersection of IN-67/ IN-39 S (stay in the left turn lanes). Turn left onto IN-39 S connecting road, which skirts the edges of Martinsville to the on-ramp of IN-39 S (road construction begins here). Continue on IN-37 S for 19 miles and then follow the instructions below (North).
North
Take S.R. 37 south until you reach the S.R. 45/46 Bypass. This exit is marked with signs for the Assembly Hall/Memorial Stadium. Head east toward Bloomington and proceed to College Avenue. Turn right onto College Ave., which becomes a one-way street heading south toward downtown Bloomington. Proceed south to 7th Street. Turn left onto 7th Street, heading east. Follow 7th Street onto the IU Campus. You will be able to see the IMU across Dunn Meadow on your right. Proceed to the circle drive entrance located on your right just past Ernie Pyle Hall and in front of the traffic guard station. Public parking is available off the drive and across the street from Ernie Pyle Hall (free for Biddle Hotel guests).
South
Travel north on S.R. 37 until you reach the S.R. 45/46 Bypass. This exit is marked with signs for the Assembly Hall/Memorial Stadium. Head east toward Bloomington. Proceed to College Avenue. Turn right onto College Avenue, which becomes a one-way street heading south toward downtown Bloomington. Proceed south to 7th Street. Turn left onto 7th Street, heading east. Follow 7th Street onto the IU Campus. You will be able to see the IMU across Dunn Meadow on your right. Proceed to the circle drive entrance located on your right just past Ernie Pyle Hall and in front of the traffic guard station. Public parking is available off the drive and across the street from the Ernie Pyle Hall (free for Biddle Hotel guests).
East
Follow S.R. 45/46 W through the lovely hills of Brown County. As you reach Bloomington, S.R. 46E becomes E. 3rd Street. Continue on 3rd Street past the IU campus and turn right onto Indiana Ave. (the first through street on the right after Jordan). Proceed north to 7th Street and turn right. You will be able to see the IMU across Dunn Meadow on your right. Proceed to the circle drive entrance located on your right just past Ernie Pyle Hall and in front of the traffic guard station. Public parking is available off the drive and across the street from the Ernie Pyle Hall (free for Biddle Hotel guests).
West
Take S.R. 46 East to College Avenue. Turn right onto College Avenue, which becomes a one-way street heading south toward downtown Bloomington. Proceed south to 7th Street. Turn left onto 7th Street, heading east. Follow 7th Street onto the IU Campus. You will be able to see the IMU across Dunn Meadow on your right. Proceed to the circle drive entrance located on your right just past Ernie Pyle Hall and in front of the traffic guard station. Public parking is available off the drive and across the street from the Ernie Pyle Hall (free for Biddle Hotel guests).
Parking:
On-site parking at the Indiana Memorial Union is complimentary for guests staying at the Union's Biddle Hotel and does not require a permit (you will display your hotel keycard at the parking lot kiosk when exiting the IMU lot).
Conference attendees not staying at the Biddle Hotel may purchase a one-day ($10) or weekly ($15) temporary visitor permit at the IMU Hotel Desk (no online purchase available). You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, vehicle description, and vehicle color; 15 minute parking is available in the circle near the IMU entrance while you complete your transaction. Visitor permits allow parking in A, C, or ST lots and parking garages (Jordan Ave. or Atwater Garage are the closest options) as shown in this interactive map. Please note: visitor permits do not allow free parking in the IMU guest lot - if you park here you must pay a fee of $2.00 per 30 minutes (unless a Biddle Hotel guest is riding in your car and swipes their keycard). Click here to visit the Biddle Hotel's parking information page for general parking information. Click here to visit the permit information page for IU's Office of Parking Operations.
Bloomington Transportation:
Though Bloomington is a very walkable city and the distance between IMU and downtown only a few blocks, those who require transportation may choose from the following options:
Taxi companies based in Bloomington:
- E 2 Taxi (812) 961-8294
- Red Tire Taxi (812) 269-2690
- White Cab Company (812) 334-8294
- Yellow Cab Company (812) 339-9744
Bus Services in Bloomington:
- Bloomington Transit (public bus system)
- Campus Bus (the university's bus system)
Weather:
The average high temperature in Bloomington in May is 74°F (23°C) and the average low temperature is 52°F (11°C). Bloomington receives an average of 5.9 inches of rain in May. Please visit the Weather Channel website for current weather conditions.
