Author: Zi Wang

As the beginning of the Spring 2024 semester rapidly approaches next week, 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 (virtual or hangtag) is required to park outside of visitor areas. As a reminder, Fall 2023 permits expire on January 15 for student permits and January 31 for faculty/staff permits.

During the first few weeks of the semester, we suggest allowing an extra 30 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 evening, campus police cadets will be directing traffic around campus. Please be alert and follow the cadets’ directions.

As the new semester begins, please remember that campuses will be busier. Please be mindful of sharing the road safely with an increased number of pedestrians as well as vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, bikes, cars, and trucks. Get more tips on safely sharing the road at the National Highway Traffic  Safety Administration website.

 

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Event Parking Impacts

There are a few large-scale parking closures to support campus events during the first few weeks of the semester:

1. Lot L will be closed from 11 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17 until 2 p.m. on Friday, January 19.
2. The eastern half of Lot A will be closed from 11 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, until 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, for the Homecoming Tailgate and Festival before the men’s basketball Homecoming game on January 27. Visit the homecoming page for more information about the tailgate and other Homecoming events.

 

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Virtual Permits

You must associate your license plate with your parking permit when you purchase a new semester permit. Starting with the fall 2023 semester, Mason transitioned to a program in which your license plate serves as your parking credential. Hangtag permits will no longer be issued (with very few exceptions).

• For guidance on how to associate vehicles with a permit, follow the step-by-step instructions on the Parking and Transportation website.
• To remove vehicles that you no longer use, own, or possess, complete the Vehicle Deactivation Request form to remove the vehicles from your parking portal.

Virtual parking permits will be sold online only at parking.gmu.edu. Permits will be sold as daily, weekly, monthly, and semester options.

 

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Shuttle Service

Check the Mason Shuttles page for Spring 2024 semester schedules. This information is also available on the shuttle schedules overview.

• Shuttles are free to students and employees.
• Mason IDs are required; no guest riders until further notice.
• Every bus is outfitted with a bike rack and Wi-Fi.

Mason Shuttles uses a real-time transit service called RideSystems. Download the RideSystems app from Google Play or the App Store or visit the track your shuttle website 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 the Fairfax Campus to the Vienna Metro station and runs continuously with buses every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and every 20 minutes from 4-11 p.m. Prior to 7 a.m., please use the CUE bus.
• Limited service 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends

Fairfax-Science and Technology Campus shuttle

• Provides service between the Fairfax Campus and the Science and Technology/SciTech Campus (Prince William/Manassas). Please check the schedule as departure times have changed from Fall semester with the reduction of route headways from 80 minutes to 70 minutes.
• Shuttle service Monday-Thursday between 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (Last departure from Colgan Hall at the SciTech Campus, with departures every 30-40 minutes, and between 6 a.m. and 11:25 p.m. (last departure from Colgan Hall) on Fridays, with departures every 70 minutes.)
• Weekend service every two hours is also available for the Fairfax- SciTech shuttle between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Last departure is from Colgan Hall.)
• The Manassas Mall shuttle stop is located between Doors 3 and 4, between Wal-Mart and the former Sears. 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.

Gunston Go-Bus

• Provides service between the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC), Rappahannock River Lane, Masonvale, Sandy Creek Transit Center, Fair Lakes, Whole Foods, Fair Lakes Promenade, Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax Corner, and Ridge Top Road.
• Check the schedule for departure times as a second bus has been added to the route.

Fairfax/Mason Square (Arlington)

• The Fairfax/Mason Square shuttle operates between Sandy Creek Transit Center (Fairfax Campus) and Van Metre/Hazel Hall (Mason Square) with stops at Masonvale and Rappahannock River Lane on the Fairfax Campus and at the Commerce Building and Fairfax Circle (intersection of Route 29 and Circle Woods Drive) in the City of Fairfax.
• Shuttle service on an hourly basis Monday-Thursday between 7:15 a.m. and 11:05 p.m. (last departure from Mason Square) and from 7:15 a.m. to 8:25 p.m. on Fridays (last departure from Mason Square). No weekend service.

West Campus

• Provides service between the West Campus Parking Lot and Presidents Park, with stops at Rapidan River Road, the Field House, the RAC, Ángel Cabrera Global Center, Patriot Circle/Mason Pond Drive, Masonvale, and Rappahannock River Lane.
• Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with service every 40 minutes. (Last departure from Presidents Park at 10:40 p.m.)
• No scheduled weekend service. Use On-Demand Shuttle instead.

On-Demand Shuttles (weekends only)

• 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 Mason Square or the Science and Technology Campus.
• Stops the on-demand shuttle program serves for Spring 2024 are more focused on and immediately around the Fairfax Campus.

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.

• 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 the On-Demand shuttle page.

View a complete list of changes for Spring 2024  Mason Shuttles

If you have any questions, reach out to shuttle@gmu.edu or by phone at 703-993-2828.

 

 

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Alternative Transportation Options

CUE Bus

• Students and employees can ride any of the four Fairfax City CUE routes to and from the Rappahannock River Lane stop. The CUE bus travels throughout Fairfax City and to the Vienna Metro stop for free.
• Check the CUE Bus website for schedules.

Short-Term Parking

For students, faculty, and staff who do not require parking on campus on a regular basis, there are daily, weekly, and monthly options available online.  Hourly visitor parking is available in all parking decks on the  Fairfax Campus and in Van Metre Garage at Mason Square.

Visitor Payment Methods

• Mason Pond Parking Deck accepts Mason Money, MasterCard, Visa, prepaid validations, and cash. For a quicker exit, use one of the two pay-on-foot machines located on Levels 1 and 3, which accept MasterCard, Visa, and prepaid validations only.
• Shenandoah Parking Deck pay-by-space machines are located adjacent to the elevators on Levels 1 and 3 and accept MasterCard, Visa, and prepaid validation codes. Avoid lines by using ParkMobile. Visitor parking is allowed on Levels 1, 4, and 5.
• Rappahannock Parking Deck pay-by-space machines are located adjacent to the elevators on Level 1 and accept MasterCard, Visa, prepaid validation codes, and exact parking fee cash. These machines do not provide change. Avoid lines by using ParkMobile.
• The Pay and Display machine at the Field House accepts MasterCard and Visa. ParkMobile payments are also accepted.

Daily options are available for :

1. Lot P at the Field House at $7.50/day (not available before 10 a.m. Monday-Friday). Payment by ParkMobile or utilizing the pay station at the Field House
2. Lots L and K at $11.50/day. Payment by ParkMobile or daily permit can be purchased online at parking.gmu.edu

Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus Parking

• Fairfax-SciTech General, 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 shop’s parking lot in front of Beacon Hall has Faculty/Staff, event permit, and 30-minute parking on the northwest side. The southeast side of the lot (left side facing the building) is for retail parking only.
• At the SciTech Campus, there are daily parking permits online for $8.50/day or, utilizing ParkMobile, $2 for the first hour with an additional $1 per hour to the $8.50 daily maximum.  

Mason Square Parking (Arlington)

You must work or be attending class at Mason Square to be eligible to purchase a Mason Square parking permit. Access cards are needed for both the Van Metre and Vernon Smith garages, depending on the permit. Hourly visitor parking is only available in the Van Metre garage.

Please use caution when approaching both garages with the ongoing construction of the new Fuse building, scheduled to open in 2025.

• Fairfax-SciTech Campus permits are not valid at Mason Square without authorization from Parking Services.
• In Vernon Smith Garage for Mason Square general permits, 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.
• For more information, go to the Mason Square page.

Bicycling

• As a recognized bicycle-friendly university, Mason has 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 Rappahannock River Deck.
• Mason’s bicycle registration program offers registrants free bike locks and bike lights.
• A bike check-out program called Patriot Bikes is available at the RAC and the Aquatic and Fitness Center.
• Go to gmu.edu for more information.
• There is a dismount zone from East Building south to Enterprise Hall. Golf carts are not permitted in the dismount zone, and those using bikes, scooters, skateboards, or skates must dismount and walk. This is for everyone’s safety.

Carpooling Options

• The Carpool Zone in Lot A, accessed off of Mattaponi River Lane, and the Carpool Zone on the first level of the Rappahannock River Deck General permit area are available for those who carpool with at least two people in the car including the driver.
  • To park in a carpool zone, arrive between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., Monday-Friday with two or more people in your car and a general student or faculty/staff parking permit.
  • Visit the carpooling webpage for more info.
• Students and employees may qualify for a 20-40% rebate on their reserved parking permits by carpooling.
  • Go to the carpool/vanpool page for more information.
• To find a carpool partner, use MasonCommutes, a ridesharing network that helps match people with similar commutes.
  • Sign up with your Mason Net ID and password on MasonCommutes.
  • Carpooling can save thousands of dollars per year. 

Electric Scooter Parking

• Electric personal scooters and shared mobility scooters do not require a permit. They must be parked at a designated scooter corral parking area located around campus or at or adjacent to a bike rack. Get more information.
• Please remember that electric bikes, scooters, and other electric personal transportation devices cannot be brought indoors at Mason.

Zipcar

• Zipcars on the first level of the Rappahannock Deck are available for rental by the hour.
• Get more information and sign up for Mason discounts for Zipcar.

 

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General Parking and Transportation Information 

• For more information on parking, shuttles, biking, scooters, and other transportation options, go to the Transportation website.
• Email Parking and Transportation at transpo@gmu.edu, parking@gmu.edufor parking specific questions, and shuttle@gmu.edu for shuttle questions.
• You can also follow Parking and Transportation on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) @MasonParking and @MasonShuttles.