George Mason University won the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (MWCOG) Commuter Connections 2023 Employer Recognition Award for the Incentives category, with George Mason University’s Josh Cantor, Director of Parking and Transportation accepting the award at a ceremony held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
“Credit goes to our staff, contractors, as well as our regional partners for helping provide so many commuting options that make a difference in the success of our students and employees,” said Cantor.
“George Mason University’s multi-modal incentives program has been successful in getting employees and students to make the switch away from single-occupant vehicles as their main mode of commuting, which has notably reduced the University’s carbon footprint and decreased commuting costs for employees,” said Nicholas Ramfos, Director of Commuter Connections.
“George Mason University is setting a great example for employers in the region looking to implement their own commuter incentives programs.”
George Mason University is the largest public research university in Virginia. Mason has three campuses across Northern Virginia, including the Fairfax Campus, Mason Square in Arlington, and the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas.
Since last winning an Employer Recognition Award in 2006, Mason has enhanced its unique incentives program centered around a robust bicycle commuting initiative, a network of shuttles to connect employees to transit options, teleworking, and a flexible work schedule environment. Mason has a Bike Commuter Choice Program that offers a four-tier sliding scale of financial assistance and benefits based on biking frequency. Participants also receive a free bike lock, bike safety information, and bicycling-related giveaways for registering their bikes. Bike racks and showers are also available.
Mason offers free shuttle services with wi-fi and bike racks, connecting riders to Prince William County’s OmniRide bus system and the Vienna Metrorail Station. There are five free shuttle routes, along with preferred parking for carpools and vanpools, rebates for formal carpools, plus financial assistance of up to $300 pre-tax per month to help defray public transit or vanpool costs. Flextime and compressed work weeks are made available as well. Mason has produced online resources to inform faculty and administration of their transportation options.
Of those employed on campus, 822 use alternative transportation methods, an additional 1,764 staffers telework at least part time, and 1,467 faculty members telework informally based on class schedules. In 2022, the incentives programs led to a savings of approximately 9,876,600 employee vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and about 448,900 gallons of gas.
During the 2023 Employer Recognition Awards ceremony, Commuter Connections also recognized Federal Home Loan Mortgage Company (Freddie Mac), of McLean, VA, for Marketing and Abt Associates, of Rockville, MD, for Telework.