Parking & Transportation Overview Fall 2021 - Parking and Transportation

Parking	SciTech Campus
Shuttles	Arlington Campus
Alternative Transportation Options	Parking and Transportation Information

As the start of the Fall 2021 semester rapidly approaches, Mason students, faculty and staff are reminded that traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus greatly increases, especially during the first few weeks of the semester. The following campus parking and transportation guide will help minimize potential parking and traffic delays.

A valid parking permit is required to park outside of visitor areas. Semester and short-term permits may be purchased online at parking.gmu.edu.

During the first few weeks of the semester, we suggest allowing an extra 30-45 minutes to arrive on campus. Though some parking spaces are more convenient to your destination than others, the Fairfax Campus has more than enough spaces to accommodate all vehicles. However, many General parking permit areas fill at peak class times.

At times during the morning, late afternoon and early evenings, campus police cadets will be directing traffic around campus. Please be alert and follow the cadet’s direction.

Below is information about parking, shuttles, alternative transportation options, construction, and finding parking and transportation information.

Parking
Arriving on campus between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.:

General permit parking in Lots L and K is recommended as most other parking lots on the East Campus, including Lot A, tend to fill early.
If “Lot Full” signs are posted at Lot K, please proceed directly to the Field House (see below). Please note that Lots I and J require a reserved permit except in the designated Faculty/Staff General spaces on the perimeter.
The General permit parking area of the Rappahannock Parking Deck (Level 1 and Level 2 spaces not designated as visitor parking) generally fills to capacity between 9-10 a.m.
- The ramps from Levels 2 to 3 and the non-reserved spaces on Level 3 in Rappahannock Deck are restricted to Faculty/Staff General permit parking.

Arriving on campus between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (especially Tuesdays and Thursdays):

The best option for General permit parking is Lot L, the back of Lot K, the PV Lot (behind the RAC) and the General permit lots by the Field House on the west side of Ox Road.
At peak times, General permit traffic may be directed from East Campus to the West Campus lot, via Campus Drive or Braddock Road.
It is highly recommended to use the West Campus Lot or the unrestricted parking spaces along Rapidan River Road as a primary option to save time.

The West Campus shuttle provides service from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Friday, with stops at Rapidan River Road, the Field House, the RAC, Mason Pond Drive (EagleBank Arena side), Presidents Park, Masonvale (Patriot Circle at Staffordshire Lane) and Rappahannock River Lane (Shelter 1), and ends back at West Campus. West Campus is always a stop for the new Mason Shuttle On-Demand during all of its service hours. The On-Demand shuttle must be used to and from West Campus Monday-Friday after 8 p.m., when the West Campus shuttle is not operating and during its service hours on Saturday-Sunday. View the West Campus shuttle schedule at: https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttles/west-campus/

Note: The average walk time from the Field House to the Johnson Center is about 12 to 15 minutes and 20 minutes from West Campus, taking the pathway parallel to Campus Drive.

Visitor Parking: The Mason Pond, Shenandoah and Rappahannock River parking decks provide most of the campus’ visitor parking spaces. Garage parking is $3/hour with a $15 daily maximum. MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

The visitor sections of the Mason Pond and Shenandoah parking decks fill in the mornings and early evenings during the first few weeks of the semester.
Additional visitor parking is available in the first level visitor parking area of the Rappahannock Parking Deck (a separate visitor entrance is located off Patriot Circle).
- At the Rappahannock deck, pay in advance utilizing our new Pay machines that requires your license plate to verify payment or ParkMobile, which allows payment by cell phone. Sign up at https://parkmobile.io/ or by downloading their mobile app.

Daily Parking Options
Purchase a printable permit online at parking.gmu.edu or by using the ParkMobile app.

Daily Lots L and K: $9.

Lots M, O, and P (Field House Daily): $5. (Pay station is located in Lot O in front of the Field House)

Daily Evening General (valid after 4 p.m., valid in Student General areas): $6

Science and Technology Campus Daily: $6

West Campus Daily: $3.

A complimentary Saturday/Sunday permit for Lot K is also available online.

Shuttles

Check the Mason Shuttles website at http://shuttle.gmu.edu/ for Fall 2021 semester schedules.
Click on the route name at the top and select the schedule.
Some routes may have weekday and weekend schedules.
Shuttles are free to students and employees. Mason IDs are required
Every bus is outfitted with a bike rack and Wi-Fi.
Masks are required at all times on Mason Shuttles

Mason Shuttles is using a real-time transit service called RideSystems. Download the RideSystems app, or visit http://www.mason.ridesystems.net/default.aspx to see when the next shuttle is arriving. The real-time arrival info for shuttles and local public transportation can also be viewed in the Mobile Mason app.

Sandy Creek – Vienna Metro shuttle

Operates from Fairfax Campus to the Vienna Metro station and runs continuously with buses every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Friday. Last departure from Sandy Creek at 10:30pm; last departure from Vienna Metro at 11pm.
There are no rush hour departures at 15 and 45 after the hour.
There is no weekend service for the fall semester.
On-Demand shuttle serves Vienna Metro Mon-Fri 9 p.m.-1 a.m. only and during all its service hours Saturday-Sunday.
For more information go to: https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttles/mason-to-metro/
Global Center to Vienna Metro route will not operate in Fall 2021.

Fairfax-Science and Technology Campus shuttle

Provides service between the Fairfax Campus and the Science and Technology Campus (Prince William).
Shuttle service Monday-Friday between 6:00 a.m.-11:35 p.m., with departures every 40 minutes for most of the day. Last departure from Sandy Creek (Fairfax) at 10:15pm; last departure from Colgan (SciTech) at 11:35pm.
Weekend service every two hours is also available for the Fairfax-Science and Technology (SciTech)
Please note that all scheduled departure times have changed from past semesters on the Fairfax-Science and Technology route.
Manassas Mall shuttle stop is located outside the At Home Store. Park’n’ride parking is available at the Mall in designated areas only.
Commuters also have the option to park at the Science and Technology Campus with a valid parking permit or use Pay-by-Space visitor parking and ride the shuttle.
Check https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttles/fairfax-scitech/ for information and schedules.

Burke Centre VRE shuttle

Provides a connection between the VRE and Fairfax Campus.
Free parking is located at the Burke Centre VRE garage and may be used as a park’n’ride lot. Students and employees that live in the Burke area can walk or bike to catch the shuttle.
No midday service for Fall 2021 semester. May use On-Demand shuttle to access Burke Centre VRE.
For schedule information and mapping, go to: https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttles/burke-ctr-vre-express/

Gunston Go-Bus

Provides service between the RAC, Rappahannock River Lane, Masonvale, Sandy Creek Transit Center, Fair Lakes, Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax Corner, Ridge Top Road, and Whole Foods.
Only Gunston Mason route operating for Fall 2021 semester.
On-Demand shuttle serves Gunston Go-Bus stops

Go to https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttles/gunston-go-bus/ for schedules and more information.

Arlington/Fairfax

Provides non-stop service between Sandy Creek (Fairfax) and Van Metre Hall (Arlington).
Operates Monday-Friday only – first departure from each campus at 8am and last departure from each campus at 10:15pm
Go to https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttles/arlington-pilot/ for schedules and more information.

On-Demand Shuttles

Mason Shuttles offers an on-demand shuttle service. This is a shared ride service with designated pick-up and drop-off locations on the Fairfax Campus and at nearby locations off-campus. Does not serve the Arlington or Science and Technology campuses.

How it works:

Download the Transloc app
Click View On Demand Services and choose Mason Shuttles on Demand
- Create your account using your Mason email address
- Enter a textable phone number; it’s how the app will contact you if needed.
- Scroll down to see some screen shots of the app.
On the app, select from a range of pick-up and drop-off locations to request your ride.
The app will provide an estimated pick-up time and will adjust the time if conditions change.
For more information, go to: https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttles/on-demand-shuttle/
Important notes: On-Demand service runs until 1am 7 days a week. Rides must be requested by midnight for pick-ups between 12am and 1am.

Alternative Transportation Options
CUE Bus:

Students and employees can ride any of the four Fairfax City CUE buses to and from the Rappahannock River Lane stop throughout Fairfax City and to the Vienna Metro stop for free simply by presenting their Mason ID.
- Check cuebus.org for schedules.

Bicycling:

Recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University, there are more than 1,400 bicycle parking spaces around campus.
Covered bike parking is available under shelters around campus and on Levels 1 and 2 of the Rappahannock River Deck.
A bicycle registration program offers registrants free bike locks and bike lights.
A bike check-out program called Patriot Bikes is available at the RAC.
Go to http://bike.gmu.edu/ for more information.

Carpooling options:

Coming Monday, September 13: The Carpool Zone in Lot A, accessed off Mattaponi River Lane, and the Carpool Zone on the first level of the Rappahannock River Deck General permit area.
- To park in a carpool zone, show up between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., Monday-Friday with two or more people in your car, a General student or faculty/staff parking permit.
  - A West Campus or Lot M/P permit is valid in the Carpool Zone with 3 or more people in your car.
- No special permit is required, as a parking officer will screen vehicles. It’s first come, first served.
- Visit https://transportation.gmu.edu/carpoolvanpool/zone/ for more info.
Available now: Students and employees may qualify for a 20-40 percent rebate on their reserved parking permits by carpooling.
- Go to: https://transportation.gmu.edu/carpoolvanpool/ for more information.

Zipcar

Two cars on the first level of the Rappahannock River Deck.
For more info and to sign up for Mason discounts for Zipcar, go to http://zipcar.com/universities/george-mason-university.

Motorcycle Parking:

Motorcycle parking spaces are available in various locations around campus,

In front of the Aquatics and Fitness Center, by the Northeast Modules, Lot J, Lot C, on the first level of the Rappahannock River Parking Deck inside the General permit area, and in the Finley Lot (motorcycle permit required in all locations).
Additional reserved deck parking for motorcycles is also available in the Mason Pond, Shenandoah and Rappahannock River parking decks (motorcycle reserved permit required).

Moped Parking:

Scooters and mopeds are required to purchase motorcycle permits and use motorcycle parking areas.
Mopeds and scooters may not park at bike racks or in other areas around campus.

Shared Mobility Devices (e-scooters)

Mason is collaborating with the City of Fairfax in their pilot shared mobility program. If using an e-scooter from one of the participating vendors be aware of your personal responsibility as outlined in your agreement with the vendor.

Please Note: Use shared mobility e-scooters in the pilot area only, on Mason’s Fairfax Campus and in the City of Fairfax.

For information on how to access, where to park, and safety rules, go to: https://transportation.gmu.edu/shared-mobility/

Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus Parking

Fairfax-SciTech General permits, Lot I, Lot J, Lot R, and reserved parking deck permits are valid in the Occoquan, King, Discovery, Hylton, and Tower parking lots at the SciTech Campus.
- Please follow signage in these lots as parking spaces may be designated for various uses or permits.
Beacon Hall resident parking permit holders may only park in the Beacon Hall resident lot or the Tower Lot.
- The southeast side (left side facing the building) of the Shops parking lot at Beacon Hall is for retail parking only.
Visitor parking is available in the Occoquan, Discovery and Tower parking lots utilizing ParkMobile.
- Visitor rates are $2 for the first hour and $1 for each additional hour, with a $6 daily maximum.
Printable daily permits for the SciTech Campus may be purchased.
For more information, go to https://transportation.gmu.edu/scitech/

Arlington Campus Parking
One must work or be attending class at the Arlington Campus to be eligible to purchase an Arlington Campus parking permit.

Fairfax-SciTech Campus permits are not valid at the Arlington Campus without authorization from Parking Services.

Arlington Campus General permit parking is located in the Vernon Smith Hall Garage located at 3434 N. Washington Blvd.
- Faculty/Staff and student parking is available on levels B3-P1 and on level B4 after 6 p.m.
- There is no guarantee of space in the General permit parking area.
- Please pay careful attention to signage as some spaces are designated for retail use only.
Reserved and visitor parking is available in the Van Metre Hall Garage, including discounted daytime only permits (5AM–6PM) and evening only permits (2PM-2AM).
- Permit parking in the Van Metre Garage guarantees one a parking space.
For more information, go to https://transportation.gmu.edu/arlington/

Parking & Transportation Information

For more information on parking, shuttles, biking, and other transportation options, go to the new Transportation website at http://transportation.gmu.edu/.

Email Parking & Transportation at transpo@gmu.edu, parking@gmu.edu for parking specific questions, and shuttle@gmu.edu for shuttle specific questions.

You can also follow Parking & Transportation on Twitter and Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/MasonParkingTransportation, @MasonParking, and @MasonShuttles

Construction and traffic advisories are posted at https://building.gmu.edu/