SAVE ON YOUR COMMUTE!
Adding one environmentally friendly mode of transportation for a trip to campus such as telecommuting, walking, biking, carpooling, or mass transit, can help save you time and money (see free shuttle and bike rental programs, as well as other incentives below), while improving overall health and air quality. As a large commuter school, transportation makes up between 25-35% of Mason’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We challenge Mason Nation to “find 1 other way” to campus! See the information below to find options and incentives, and be sure to take the Mason Commuter Survey (at right) – let us know how you get to and from campus for your chance to win a raffle prize and to let your voice be heard!
Mason’s Parking and Transportation department is committed to designing and supporting more environmentally friendly modes of transportation to reduce Mason’s environmental footprint, to provide numerous affordable options for our students, and in support of Mason’s academic mission.
Biking
In 2019, Mason’s Fairfax Campus was again designated as a “Bicycle Friendly University” by the League of American Bicyclists, this time at the silver level, and the League designated Mason’s Mason Square for the first time at the bronze level. There are nearly five miles of bike lanes on the Fairfax campus, with bike racks in front of nearly every building. Mason also has several incentive programs, such as the Faculty/Staff Bicycle Commuter Choice Benefit, aimed at encouraging members of the Mason community to bike to and from campus. In 2018, Mason refurbished about 20 bicycles and began offering free bicycle check-outs at the Recreation and Athletics Complex and the Fitness and Aquatic Center on the Fairfax campus. Mason Square has a Capital bikeshare station, and Mason is working with local jurisdictions around its Fairfax campus to bring Capital Bikeshare to the Fairfax campus.
Carpooling
Transportation’s main sustainability objective is to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles (SOVs) at Mason. Carpooling and vanpooling are key to the strategy to achieve that reduction, and incentives are available for all students and staff who choose to rideshare with other members of the Mason community. Check out MasonCommutes.com to share a ride with a fellow Patriot to reduce your environmental footprint, save money, find easier designated parking, and meet a new friend!
Mass Transit
All Mason full-time employees have the opportunity to participate in the Commonwealth Commuter Choice program, which provides tax-free dollars to individuals who take public transportation. Additionally, Mason offers a free shuttle service from major public transportation hubs such as Vienna Metro and connections between the Fairfax campus, SciTech Campus, Mason Square, and more. Finally, Mason continues collaborating with the City of Fairfax to offer free CUE bus rides for Mason students, faculty, and staff.
Check out Mason’s Transportation Office to learn more about each of their programs.
