Transportation

INFOGRAPHIC: Alternatives to driving to campus

This semester, parking on Mason's Fairfax campus has become a contentious issue. In response to crowded lots and decks, Parking Services suspended the sale of its general permits to help mitigate the demand. While many students have expressed frustration over the issue, Parking Services is reminding students that there may be other transportation programs available to them. Here is a breakdown of some of those options:

New shuttle service begins from Sandy Creek to Burke VRE

Posters around the Fairfax campus announce a new shuttle route from the Sandy Creek on-campus stop to the Burke VRE train stop on Sept. 23. According to Parking Services Coordinator Ann Moran, the service was added in response to requests for a new shuttle from staff and student commuters-- some of whom travel as far as Fredericksburg. The annual Parking and Transportation survey, first opened in May 2013, enforced these requests. Josh Cantor, director of Parking and Transportation, communicated with the VRE staff and received permission to add a Mason shuttle stop to the Burke train stop.

Community updated on Mason transportation and construction projects

At the quarterly university community forum, nearby residents received updates on different construction and transportation projects around George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. The forum was held on Jan. 30 at Kings Park Library Burke.

Campus Drive

Inaugural community bike summit held at Mason

Bicyclists and transportation professionals held an inaugural summit at George Mason University to discuss ongoing projects and issues relating to bicycling in Fairfax County.

The Fairfax Bike Summit, sponsored by Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, Mason, and Fairfax County, was held in the Hub on Oct. 27.

Mason transportation study receives criticism from smart growth group

A new study by the George Mason Center for Regional Analysis has received criticism from smart growth advocates who believe the study’s results put too much emphasis on road construction as a means for economic growth.

In early October of 2012, the CRA released a study that measured which forms of transportation would help lead to economic growth in the area.

The study projects that by 2040, $977 billion dollars in Gross Regional Product (GRP) will come from automobile use, $298 billion will be from transit, and $67 billion will be from biking and walking.

Parking and traffic changes to begin with campus road construction

Parking at George Mason University will be more difficult between October 11 and 18 as the Virginia Department of Transportation mills and repaves University Drive from the Rappahannock River Deck to the baseball stadium near the Field House. There will be no parking allowed between Ox Road and Rapidan River Road, located near the West Campus lot.

‘Neighborhoods’ to split campus into four parts


Three signs reflect Sandy Creek Parking Deck's name change to Shenandoah Parking Deck. The change was made as part of a new neighborhood system for dividing campus. (Jake McLernon)

New terminology is being used to describe areas of campus and to help get people where they need to go, according to the chair of the University Naming Committee.

Bike shelters installed across campus

Bike shelters have cropped up across campus over the last month. The shelters are meant to encourage bike usage throughout campus and the Office of Parking and Transportation will increase the numbers of shelters to 10 by Summer 2011. The shelters, besides protecting bikes from rain or snow, will also serve as a way to generate ad revenue for Mason.

Commuter Challenge commences with discussion, presentation at Pilot House


Attendees to the day's events at the Pilot House discuss the future of campus transportation. (Jenna Beaver) 

Zipcar is latest transportation program for students


A Zipcar station at a Metro parking lot. The Zipcar program is now available to Mason students. (Peter Flint) 
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Getting from point A to point B for students without cars on-campus can be difficult, but now there is a new option for getting around.