Potential New Vanpool from Gainesville on the I-66 Corridor
Are you a faculty/staff member who commutes from Gainesville? Come to the Johnson Center, Kiosk G, on Thursday, Nov. 10 between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to learn how riders in new vanpools of five or more pay only $150 per month through March 2023. Plus, if you are a full-time Mason faculty/staff member, Mason picks up the monthly $150 vanpool fare to make your commute trip free.
All I-66 commuters to Mason from outside the Beltway are welcome to attend. For details, call 703–927-1046 or email felicia.woodruff@transform66vanpool.org.
For questions about how Mason supports vanpooling for full-time faculty and staff, contact Mason Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu.
Commuter Choice Benefit Increasing in 2023
Beginning in January 2023, the maximum Commonwealth Commuter Choice benefit at Mason will increase by $20 to $300 per month. Currently, an executive order gives full-time state employees in Northern Virginia up to $280 per month to commute by public transit or vanpool. This is a tax-free benefit paid by the university. To take advantage of this increase beginning with the January benefit, be sure to submit your Commuter Choice Monthly Benefit Request by Thursday, Dec. 8. If you are new to the program, please also submit an enrollment form. For more information and the forms, please visit the website.
Share the Ride Using MasonCommutes.com
Travel on I-66 to get to Mason? When the Transform 66 project is completed (scheduled for December 2022), there will be HOV-3 express lanes. Ride for free in HOV! How? Rideshare! Line up your carpool now. Save money, save time behind the wheel, potentially reduce the length of your commute, and reduce your carbon footprint—all by deciding not to drive alone.
Find potential rideshare partners by creating an account at masoncommutes.com. Other financial incentives to carpool are sponsored by the Transform 66 project. Learn more.
Mason Shuttles 2022 Thanksgiving Service Changes
The Thanksgiving holiday will bring changes to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Details are posted on the Mason Shuttles website at shuttle.gmu.edu.
Thanksgiving 2022 Regional Transportation
Mason offers affordable transportation for the Mason community to regional cities for the Thanksgiving holiday. Destinations include Virginia Beach, Richmond, Philadelphia, New York City, and more. Buses will leave on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and return on Sunday, Nov. 27.
For a complete list of destinations, departure times, and pickup locations, visit shuttle.gmu.edu or view the schedule.
Parking and Transportation Holiday Donation Drive
Would you like to help someone in need? Parking Services is holding its annual holiday donation drive. Through Thursday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m., you can reduce the cost of an outstanding parking citation by making a donation to any Parking Services office to benefit Patriot Pantry. For important details, visit transportation.gmu.edu/donation.
Route Planning: Biking to Mason
Live within biking distance of Mason? Planning a commute for this autumn or maybe next spring? We have volunteers who can assist you in finding a biking route that is comfortable for you. For details and regions covered, visit the biking resources webpage and choose the Bike Volunteer Program.
Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice Program
Like to bike? Live within biking distance of the Mason location where you work? Thinking that maybe it’s time you changed up your commute to include a few days of biking per month? Consider the Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice program and find joy in commuting to campus on two wheels!
- Four tiers of financial support tied to the number of rides per quarter. Join the program for as few as 5 rides per quarter.
- Earn complimentary parking passes
- Ride more than 10 miles each way to work to earn a distance bonus
- Ride at Tier 2 or Tier 3 all year to receive funds for a complimentary bike check
- Can be used in conjunction with Commuter Choice
Conditions apply—the big one is that the program, unlike Commuter Choice, is taxable per the IRS. But don’t let that stop you; check out the details at bike.gmu.edu.
Staying Safe: Traveling at Dusk
A reminder from Parking and Transportation that the days are growing shorter and it’s getting darker earlier. Now that Daylight Savings Time has ended, please keep in mind that it is difficult to see and be seen at dusk. Exercise care whether you are driving, biking, or walking.