Parking & Transportation Update Spring 2019

• Parking
• Shuttles
• Alternative Transportation Options
• Science and Technology Campus
• Arlington Campus
• Construction Impacts

As the beginning of the Spring 2019 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. 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 & transportation information.

Parking

Arriving on campus between 10 a.m. and 11a.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 all of Lot J requires a reserved Lot J permit except the designated Faculty/Staff General spaces on the perimeter. The General permit parking area of the Rappahannock River Parking Deck (all of Level 2 and Level 1 spaces not designated as visitor parking) generally fills to capacity between 9 a.m.-10 a.m. The ramps from Levels 2 to 3 and the non-reserved spaces on Level 3 in Rappahannock River 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 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.-12 a.m., with stops at Rapidan River Road, the Field House, the RAC, Mason Pond (EagleBank Arena side), Presidents Park, Masonvale (Patriot Circle at Staffordshire Lane) and Rappahannock River Lane (Shelter 1), and ends back at West Campus. Go to the West Campus Shuttle page for current information on the schedule.

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

Visitor Parking

The Mason Pond, Shenandoah and Rappahannock River Parking Decks provide most of the campus’ visitor parking spaces. The visitor sections of the Mason Pond and Shenandoah Parking Decks tend to fill in the mornings and early evenings during the first few weeks of the semester. Additional visitor parking is available in the Level 1 Visitor parking area of the Rappahannock River Parking Deck (a separate visitor entrance is located off Patriot Circle) by paying in advance utilizing our Pay by Space machines or by using the ParkMobile pay-by-cell service that allows one to pay via their cell phone. You can sign up at Parkmobile or by downloading their mobile app.

Additional visitor parking is available at the Field House utilizing the Pay-and-Display machine (MasterCard and Visa) located across from the front door of the Field House. Parking is available for $4/day with the shuttle service mentioned above to get back and forth to East Campus. ParkMobile pay-by-cell service is also available here.  If the parking spaces in the Field House lots are full, please park in the West Campus lot after payment. The most economical daily parking is at the West Campus lot for $2/day. This option is only available by purchasing a daily printable West Campus parking permit online and displaying the permit.

Printable Visitor Permits

You may now purchase a daily, weekly, or monthly General permit online at My Parking Account and print it, saving you a trip to the Parking Services office to buy it in person. At times, this option may only be available for the Field House parking lots for $4/day, $15/week, or $45/month, or the West Campus lot for $2/day, $8/week, or $30/month. A separate evening permit allowing parking after 4 p.m. Monday-Friday in East Campus General lots such as Lot K is available for $5/day, $25/week, or $60/month. A complimentary Saturday/Sunday permit for Lot K is available online, as well.  At the beginning of the Spring 2019 semester, only West Campus Daily, Lot P daily and General Evening permits will be available online.

Visitor Payment Methods

The Mason Pond Parking Deck accepts Mason Money, MasterCard, Visa, prepaid validations and cash.  For a quicker exit there are three pay-on-foot machines located on Levels 3, 2 and 1 which accept MasterCard, Visa and prepaid validations only. The Shenandoah Parking Deck accepts MasterCard, Visa, prepaid validations and cash.  For a quicker exit there are two pay-on-foot machines located on Level 1 adjacent to the elevators which accept MasterCard, Visa, prepaid validations and cash. The Rappahannock River Parking Deck Pay-by-Space machines are located adjacent to the elevators and accept MasterCard, Visa, prepaid validation codes and exact parking fee cash. These machines do not provide change.  Avoid the lines by using ParkMobile as your payment option. The Pay-and-Display machine for the Field House accepts MasterCard and Visa. ParkMobile payments are also accepted. You can pay online for Printable Permits using MasterCard, Visa or your checking account.

Shuttles

Check the Mason Shuttles website for latest shuttle schedules.  Some schedules may have a weekday and then a separate weekend schedule. All shuttles are free with Mason ID, and every bus is outfitted with a bike rack and Wi-Fi.

Mason Shuttles is using a real-time transit service called RideSystems.  Download the RideSystems app, or visit the Shuttle Tracker to see when the next shuttle is arriving. The real-time arrival info for shuttles and local public transportation can be viewed in the Mobile Mason app as well.

The Sandy Creek – Vienna Metro shuttle operates from the Fairfax Campus to the Vienna Metro station and runs continuously with buses every 15 to 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 12:15 a.m., Monday through Thursday and until 1:45 a.m. on Friday. Saturday and Sunday service begins at 8 a.m., with weekend stops at the Mason Townhouses on Chain Bridge Road and by Fairfax Circle on Lee Highway. A Mason ID card is required to board the shuttle from the Rappahannock River Lane, Commerce Building and Fairfax Circle stops. The buses leave from the Sandy Creek Transit Center and Rappahannock River Lane (Shelter #1) every 15 minutes during the morning and afternoon peak (rush hours). During non-rush hour they operate every 30 minutes. 

• Sandy Creek to Vienna Metro Spring 2019 Monday to Friday Schedule
• Sandy Creek to Vienna Metro Spring 2019 Saturday/Sunday Schedule

The Global Center – Metro shuttle provides direct service between Mason’s Global Center, the RAC and Rappahannock River Lane (Shelter #1) to Vienna Metro Monday-Thursday and limited hours on Friday. Departures at 10 minutes and 40 minutes after the hour.

• Global Center to Vienna Metro Spring 2019 Schedule (no weekend service)

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 Fairfax-SciTech Campus shuttle to the Fairfax Campus. Shuttle service Monday-Thursday between 6:00 a.m.- 11:10 p.m. with departures every half hour for most of the day. Service is every hour on Fridays. An additional departure at 11:10 p.m. from Sandy Creek Transit Center to SciTech and at 11:40 p.m. from the Occoquan stop (Colgan Hall) back to Sandy Creek has been added Monday-Friday. Weekend service every two hours is also available for the Fairfax-SciTech shuttle. A Mason ID card is required to board the shuttle from the Manassas Mall stop (shuttle stop is located between entrances #3 and #4 at the mall).

• Spring 2019 Schedule

The 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. Also, many students and employees that live in the Burke area can walk or ride a bike to catch the shuttle. Plus, we are now picking up and dropping off on the return trip to campus from Burke Centre VRE at Target, and three new stops along Zion Drive. In addition, we have extended morning and evening hours.

• Spring 2019 Schedule – Schedule goes into effect on Tuesday, January 22 (no service on Monday, 1/21/19 in observance of Martin Luther King Day)

The Gunston’s Go-Bus provides service between the RAC, Sandy Creek Transit Center, Fair Lakes, Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax Corner, Ridge Top Road, Whole Foods and University Mall.

Gunston Go-Bus Changes – New Stops and Gunston Mason has a New Schedule:

• Spring weekend service begins Saturday, January 19. Weekday spring service begins for the Gunston Go Bus Route on January 22.
• Beginning January 19, Gunston Mason will stop at Whole Foods on Market Commons Drive, Fairfax. It no longer stops at University Mall. To accommodate this shift in stops and address customer concerns about the traffic-related delays on Gunston Mason, the timing of the entire schedule was reworked. Please see https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttles/gunston-go-bus/ for details.
• Gunston George’s schedule will continue to stop at University Mall but will not stop at Whole Foods.
• Gunston George has one stop change. Beginning on January 19, the University Mall stop move from behind the mall near Oh George’s to in front of Giant near its loading dock.
• The Gunston Go-Bus schedule has a new look as it has been divided into two separate schedules – Gunston Mason and Gunston George.

Alternative Transportation Options

Besides the Mason Shuttles, 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 www.cuebus.org for schedules.

Bicycling

Recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University, there are more than 1400 bicycle parking spaces scattered around campus with covered bike parking under shelters around campus and on Levels 1 and 2 of the Rappahannock River Deck. A bicycle registration program exists where registrants receiving free bike u-locks and free bike lights. Go to bike.gmu.edu for more information! A bike rental program is coming soon!

Carpooling Options

The Carpool Zone in Lot A accessed off of Mattaponi River Lane and the Carpool Zone on Level 1 of the Rappahannock River Deck General permit area will resume on Monday, August 28. To park in a carpool zone, show up between 6 a.m.-11 a.m., Monday-Friday with a total of twp or more people in your car, a General student or faculty/staff parking permit and you can park in a carpool space set aside each morning. No special permit is required as we will have a parking officer screening all vehicles. It’s first come first served. Visit the Carpool Zone Program page for more info.

Students and employees may qualify for a 20- to 40-percent rebate on their reserved parking permits by carpooling. Go to Carpool and Vanpool page for information on the student and employee carpool programs.

To find a carpool partner you can use Zimride, a ridesharing network that helps match people with similar commutes to and from campus. Sign up with your Mason Net ID and password at Zimride.  Carpooling can save thousands of dollars per year!

Zipcar: Two cars on Mason Pond Drive, one car on the first level of the Rappahannock River Deck, and another in Lot R behind Taylor Hall are available for rental by the hour. For more info and to sign up for Mason discounts, go to Zipcar.

Motorcycle Parking

Motorcycle parking spaces are available in various locations around campus, including 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 (permit required). 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.

Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus Parking

Fairfax-SciTech General area, 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 Shops parking lot in front of Beacon Hall has Faculty/Staff, event permit and 30-minute parking on the northwest side. The southeast side (left side facing the building) of the lot is for retail parking only.

Visitor parking is available in the Occoquan and Discovery parking lots utilizing the Pay-by-Space machine in the kiosk in front of the Occoquan lot. Visitor parking is also available in the Tower Lot utilizing a Pay-by-Space machine located at the entrance. The Pay-by-Space machines accept MasterCard and Visa. Visitor rates are $2 for the first hour and $1 for each additional hour, with a $6 maximum for the day. Printable daily permits for the SciTech Campus may be purchased online or at the SciTech Parking Services office for $6/day.  For more information, go to the Science and Technology Campus Transportation Services page.

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. All the Arlington Campus General permit parking is located in the Vernon Smith Hall Garage (formerly known as the Metropolitan Building 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 Founders Hall Garage, including discounted daytime only permits (Levels 5A–6P) and evening only permits (Level 2P-2A). Permit parking in the Founders Hall Garage guarantees one a parking space.  For more information, go to the  Arlington Campus Transportation Services page.

Construction Impacts

The Core Campus Project includes the demolition and replacement of Robinson Hall A, along with upgrades to campus utility infrastructure on the Fairfax Campus. Pedestrian and road impacts will occur across campus throughout the coming year. It is strongly recommended to avoid Aquia Creek Lane when possible as construction will continue on the road through spring break. Construction traffic will use Aquia Creek Lane to access the construction zones. Pedestrian areas near Southside Plaza and Wilkins Plaza will be fenced off as work begins to build the new plaza.  For more information, visit construction.gmu.edu.

To improve service to customers, Fairfax Water is replacing the existing water storage tank located on the Fairfax Campus. The Child Development Center (CDC) access road is closed to traffic. Construction vehicles may be staged on the roads between the CDC and Northeast Modules. Use caution when driving in this area.

Parking and Transportation Information

For more information on parking, shuttles, biking, and other transportation options, go to transportation.gmu.edu.  For questions, please feel free to go to our Contact Us page.

You can also follow Parking and Transportation on Twitter on @MasonParking or @MasonShuttles and Facebook. Construction and traffic advisories are posted at building.gmu.edu