Parking & Transportation

Carpool Programs

The Carpool Zone Program allows you to informally carpool to Mason and park in the designated areas within Lot A or Rappahannock Parking Deck. No forms to complete. Just arrive at the Fairfax campus Monday – Friday, between 7:00 am – 11:00 am.

How It Works

  • Non-resident students, faculty, and staff are eligible for Carpool Zone.
  • Arrive at the Fairfax campus Monday – Friday, between 7:00 am and 11:00 am. An attendant will be present to ensure that only those who carpool are allowed to park there. Those driving alone will not be able to park in the Carpool Zones during these hours.
  • General Permit: Have two people in your vehicle when you arrive.
  • Park in the designated section of Lot A or Rappahannock Parking Deck (see maps below)
  • After 11:00 am, Monday-Friday, any open spaces revert back to general permit use.

Please Note: If you park in the carpool zone without a permit, you will receive a citation.

The Carpool Preferred Program includes an application process, which among other things, asks you to list the other members of the carpool. Once completed, you can park in designated carpool spaces (as available) in any lot(s)/deck(s) for which the driver’s permit is valid.

How to Apply

To apply for a carpool permit, complete the Employee Carpool Program Application.

FALL SEMESTER APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Friday, September 27, 2024

Fall: Last Friday in September
Spring: Last Friday in February

  • The primary carpool member completes and submits the Employee Carpool Program Application. As part of the online application, you will need to upload copies of the Mason ID of each carpool member.
  • You must carpool together at least 50% of the days you commute, carpool members must be in the car for half of your commute, and at least two people must be together in the car when you arrive at the carpool space.
  • All carpool members can receive an access device (if in Van Metre Hall, Mason Pond, or Rappahannock parking deck) with a refundable deposit of $25 per access device. For those parking in Shenandoah, no device is needed.
  • The carpool is responsible for transferring the supplemental permit between the participants, as well as reconciling all financial issues.
  • In the preferred program, you can each have your own parking permit. If however, a member of the carpool doesn’t have a permit, the vehicle license plate information can be added to the primary carpool’s permit by Parking and Transportation when the carpool application is processed.  Please note, the maximum number of vehicles that can be on one permit is three.  If there are four people in the carpool and none of them own a permit, the primary permit holder will have to remove one of the other carpool members’ license plate information from their permit to add the fourth vehicle when needed.
  • Each carpool vehicle must be registered with the carpool. Please make sure to include all members of the carpool and their vehicle information in the application.
  • A carpool permit in the preferred program is valid for one year.

At least one participant in the group must own a valid faculty/staff permit and consequently be responsible for its payment and use. The carpool will designate a primary permit holder if more than one member owns a permit. The carpool is responsible for transferring the supplemental permit between the participants, as well as reconciling all financial issues. Each carpool vehicle must be registered with the carpool.

There are no rebates on permits in the Preferred Program, but the Preferred parking spots will remain available to carpools based on availability. Faculty/Staff carpools can park in designated carpool spots in the general lots or decks if one member has the appropriate deck permit and provided that they have registered as a carpool with Parking and Transportation. The supplemental carpool permit must be displayed when parking in the carpool spaces.

The Transportation Office will process your application and you will receive an email or a phone call within three business days to pick up your carpool supplemental permit from the Transportation Office.

What’s Next?

  • Upon approval of the application, a supplemental carpool permit will be issued to the primary permit holder.
  • The supplemental permit must be displayed in the carpool vehicle on the rearview mirror.
  • If a citation is issued, it will be assigned to the primary permit holder. Upon request, a citation can be reassigned to another carpool member’s registered vehicle.

Where to Park?

You can park in any lot or deck for which your permit is valid. There are designated carpool spaces located conveniently in lots and decks as outlined below. If they are all full, you are free to park anywhere your permit is valid. For example, if you have a general lot permit, you cannot park in Shenandoah Parking Deck carpool spaces because your permit is not valid there. Preferred carpool members can park in the Mason Pond Drive and Lot A carpool spaces with a general lot permit.

  • Mason Pond Drive – 18 spaces
  • Lot A (near EagleBank Arena, east end) – 4 spaces
  • Finley Lot (across from Thompson Hall) – 5 spaces
  • Mason Pond Parking Deck (3rd level )- 2 spaces
  • Mason Global Center (underground parking) – 3 spaces
  • Shenandoah Parking Deck (3rd level) – 3 spaces
  • Rappahannock Parking Deck(southeast corner of Level 1) – 6 spaces
  • Occoquan Lot:  2 spaces
  • King Lot: 2 spaces
  • Discovery A Lot: 2 spaces
  • Smith Building Garage at 3434 Washington Boulevard (P1 level next to Van Metre Hall bridge): 2 spaces
  • Van Metre Hall Garage: 17 spaces

Additional Benefits

  • Non-permit holders can receive from the Transportation Office (Nottoway Annex in Lot C):
    • 2 Complimentary Daily Parking Passes Per Month: The two complimentary daily passes cannot be shared among the group or given to another person for use.
    • Additional Discounted Parking Passes: Carpoolers have the option of buying a pack of 5 daily passes per semester at the half-price rate.
    • Please Note: Complimentary permits will continue to be hang tags for now. They will be phased out over time, and we will eventually be issuing virtual permits as the incentive.
  • Guaranteed Ride Home: provides up to 6 FREE rides home per year in case of emergency.
  • Payroll Deduction: In addition to the Preferred parking spaces, those permits paid through payroll deduction can be turned in and deductions will cease. You can cancel your permit by submitting the Permit Exchange/Cancellation Request form.
  • Financial Savings: Sharing the cost of one parking permit and gas helps save money on your commute.
  • Less Stressful Commute: Carpools can take advantage of HOV lanes and arrive on campus faster.
  • Go Green: Make your contribution to our environment by carpooling and helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

If Your Carpool Changes

If a member of the carpool chooses to leave the carpool, the primary permit holder needs to promptly notify the Transportation Office. If only one member remains in the carpool, the Transportation Office must be notified and all alternative transportation programs will be canceled.

The Carpool Premium program is ONLY available in Reserved Lot I, Reserved Lot J, and the Parking Decks (i.e. Van Metre, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, and Mason Pond). The Premium Carpool Program includes an application process. Once completed, you can park in designated carpool spaces (as available) in the area for which your primary driver’s permit is valid. You are also eligible for a rebate on your primary parking permit based upon the number of people carpooling.

How to Apply

To apply for a carpool permit, complete the Employee Carpool Program Application.

FALL SEMESTER APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Friday, September 27, 2024

  • The carpool premium permit is valid for one semester.
  • Only one person in the carpool group can own a permit (the other will need to turn in their permit for a refund minus a $15 administrative fee). You can cancel your permit by submitting the Permit Exchange/Cancellation Request form.

Fall: Last Friday in September
Spring: Last Friday in February

  • The primary carpool member (the one with the parking permit) completes and submits the Employee Carpool Program Application. As part of the application, you will need to upload copies of the Mason ID of each carpool member
  • You must carpool together at least 50% of the days you commute, there must be at least two people in the car for half of your commute, and at least two people must be together in the car when you arrive at the carpool space.
  • Carpool members can receive an access device (if in Van Metre, Mason Pond, or Rappahannock parking deck) with a refundable deposit of $25 per access device. For those parking in Shenandoah, no device is needed.
  • The carpool is responsible for transferring the permit between the participants, as well as reconciling all financial issues.
  • Each carpool vehicle must be registered with the carpool.
  • In the premium program, only the primary carpool member can have a parking permit. The second and third carpool members’ vehicle license plate information will be added to the primary carpool member’s permit by Parking and Transportation when the carpool application is processed.  Please note, the maximum number of vehicles that can be on one permit is three. If there is a fourth person in the carpool, the primary permit holder will have to remove one of the other carpool member’s license plate information from their permit to add the fourth vehicle when needed. Please make sure to include all members of the carpool and their vehicle information in your application.
  • Carpools need to reapply each semester to be in the Carpool Premium Program

If you have a carpool parking deck or reserved Lot I or J permit (and you get the rebate), you must follow the normal rules for that permit. The primary permit holder will receive a $35 restricted violation if he/she does not park in the appropriate area. Video monitoring will be enforced over the course of the academic year to ensure that all carpools are compliant with the policy.

The Transportation Office will process your application and you will receive an email or a phone call within three business days to pick up your carpool permit from the Transportation Office

What’s Next?

  • Upon approval of the application, a supplemental carpool permit will be issued to the primary permit holder.
  • The supplemental permit must be displayed in the carpool vehicle on the rearview mirror.
  • If a citation is issued, it will be assigned to the primary permit holder. Upon request, a citation can be reassigned to another carpool member’s registered vehicle.

Where to Park?

You can park in any lot or parking deck for which your primary permit is valid.  If the carpool spaces are all full, you are free to park anywhere your primary permit is valid.

Lot I & J
If you have a Lot I or Lot J permit on the Fairfax Campus, you can park in any of the reserved spaces in the lot for which your permit is valid (your permit is not valid on the perimeter of either lot).

Parking Decks
You can park in any carpool spaces of the deck for which your permit is valid:

  • Mason Pond Parking Deck (Third Level )- 2 spaces
  • Shenandoah Parking Deck (Third Level) – 3 spaces
  • Rappahannock Parking Deck (Southeast Corner of Level 1) – 6 spaces
  • Van Metre Hall Garage: 17 spaces
  • Vernon Smith Garage: 2 spaces

How Rebates Work

ONLY carpools with a parking deck, Lot I, and Lot J permits are eligible for the parking permit rebate of 20, 30, or 40% off the permit price for a 2, 3, or 4-person carpool respectively.

  • ONLY one employee in the carpool can own a permit. The other carpoolers need to turn in their permits to the Transportation Office and will receive a refund minus a $15 administrative fee. You can cancel your permit by submitting the Permit Exchange/Cancellation Request form.
  • The primary permit is bought at full price. The rebate will be given to the permit holder at the end of each semester.
    • Fall Semester: Parking and Transportation sends rebate information by January 15 to Fiscal Services for processing
    • Spring Semester: Parking and Transportation sends rebate information by June 15 to Fiscal Services for processing
  • On December 1 (Fall Semester) and May 1 (Spring Semester) of each year, carpool applications are reviewed to ensure the carpool is still in compliance with the program (e.g. non-permit holders have not purchased permits in excess of what is allowed). Purchase of temporary, weekly, or monthly permits by any carpool member makes the entire carpool ineligible for the rebate.
  • Faculty/Staff members who have a payroll deduction permit, and are the primary permit holder, must have an active payroll deduction permit as of December 1 (Fall Semester) or May 1 (Spring Semester) to qualify for the rebate.

Additional Benefits

  • Non-permit holders can receive from the Transportation Office (Nottoway Annex in Lot C):
    • 2 Complimentary Daily Parking Passes Per Month: The two complimentary daily passes cannot be shared among the group or given to another person for use.
    • Additional Discounted Parking Passes: Carpoolers have the option of buying a pack of 5 daily passes per semester at the half-price rate.
    • Please Note: Complimentary permits will continue to be hang tags for now. They will be phased out over time, and we will eventually be issuing virtual permits as the incentive.
  • Guaranteed Ride Home: provides up to 6 FREE rides home per year in case of emergency.
  • Payroll Deduction: In addition to the Preferred parking spaces, those permits paid through payroll deduction must be turned in and deductions will cease immediately.
  • Financial Savings: Sharing the cost of one parking permit and gas helps save money on your commute.
  • Less stressful Commute: Carpools can take advantage of HOV lanes and arrive at campus faster.
  • Go Green: Make your contribution to our environment by carpooling and helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

If Your Carpool Changes

If a member of the carpool chooses to leave the carpool, the primary permit holder needs to promptly notify the Transportation Office. If only one member remains in the carpool, the Transportation Office must be notified and all alternative transportation programs will be canceled.

The Carpool Formal Program is ONLY available in Reserved Lot I, Reserved Lot J, and the Parking Decks (i.e. Van Metre, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, and Mason Pond). The Formal Carpool Program includes an application process. Once completed, you can park in designated carpool spaces (as available) in the area for which your primary driver’s permit is valid. You are also eligible for a rebate on your primary parking permit based upon the number of people carpooling. Details below.

How to Apply

To apply for a carpool permit, complete the Student Carpool Program Application.

FALL SEMESTER APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Friday, September 27, 2024

  • The formal carpool permit is valid for one semester.
  • Only one person in the carpool group can own a permit (all others need to turn in their permits for a refund minus a $15 administrative fee). You can cancel your permit by submitting the Permit Exchange/Cancellation Request form.

Fall: Last Friday in September
Spring: Last Friday in February

  • The primary carpool member (the one with the parking permit) completes and submits the Student Carpool Program Application. As part of the application, you will need to upload copies of the Mason ID of each carpool member.
  • You must carpool together at least three days per week, there must be at least two people in the car for half of your commute, and at least two people must be together in the car when you arrive at the carpool space.
  • Everyone in the carpool can receive an access device (if in a Van Metre Hall, Mason Pond, or Rappahannock parking deck) with a refundable deposit of $25 per access device. For those parking in Shenandoah Parking Deck, no device is needed.
  • The carpool is responsible for transferring the permit among the participants, as well as reconciling all financial issues.
  • Each carpool vehicle must be registered with the carpool group.
  • In the student formal carpool program, only the primary carpool member can have a parking permit. The second carpool member’s vehicle license plate information will be added to the primary carpool member’s permit by Parking and Transportation when the carpool application is processed. Please note the maximum number of vehicles that can be on one permit is two. If there is a third or fourth person in the carpool, the primary permit holder will have to remove the second carpool member’s license plate information from their permit to add the third or fourth carpool member’s vehicle license plate information when needed. The primary carpool member’s information must stay on the permit at all times. Include all members of the carpool and their vehicle information in your application.
  • Carpools need to reapply each semester to be in the Student Carpool Program.
  • The Transportation Office will process your application and you will receive an email or a phone call within three business days to pick up your carpool permit.

What’s Next?

  • Upon approval of the application, a supplemental carpool permit will be issued to the primary permit holder.
  • The supplemental permit must be displayed in the carpool vehicle on the rearview mirror.
  • If a citation is issued, it will be assigned to the primary permit holder. Upon request, a citation can be reassigned to another carpool member’s registered vehicle.

Where to Park?

You can park in any lot or deck for which your primary permit is valid. There are designated carpool spaces as outlined below but if they are all full, you are free to park anywhere your primary permit is valid.

If you have a carpool deck or reserved Lot I or J permit (and you receive the rebate), you must follow the normal rules for that permit which only allows parking in general lots after 5:00 pm. The primary permit holder will receive a $35 restricted violation if they do not park in the appropriate area. Video monitoring will be enforced over the course of the academic year to ensure that all carpools are compliant with the policy.

  • Mason Pond Parking Deck (3rd level )- 2 spaces
  • Shenandoah Parking Deck) (3rd level) – 3 spaces
  • Rappahannock Parking Deck (southeast corner of Level 1) – 6 spaces
  • Occoquan Lot: 2 spaces
  • King Lot: 2 spaces
  • Discovery A Lot: 2 spaces
  • Smith Building Garage at 3434 Washington Boulevard (P1 level next to Van Metre Hall bridge): 2 spaces
  • Van Metre Hall Garage: 17 spaces

How Rebates Work

ONLY carpools with deck, Lot I or Lot J permits are eligible for the following parking permit rebates:

  • 20% off the permit price for a two-person carpool
  • 30% off the permit price for a three-person carpool
  • 40% off the permit price for a four-person carpool.

ONLY one person in the carpool group can own a permit. (All other carpoolers need to turn in their permits to the Transportation Office and will receive a refund minus a $15 administrative fee). You can cancel your permit by submitting the Permit Exchange/Cancellation Request form.

  • The primary permit is bought at full price. The rebate will be given to the permit holder at the end of each semester.
    • Fall Semester: Parking and Transportation sends rebate information by January 15 to Fiscal Services for processing
    • Spring Semester: Parking and Transportation sends rebate information by June 15 to Fiscal Services for processing
  • General parking permits are NOT eligible for the premium carpool program.
  • On December 1 (Fall Semester) and May 1 (Spring Semester) of each year, carpool applications are reviewed to ensure the carpool is still in compliance with the program (e.g. non-permit holders have not purchased permits in excess of what is allowed). Purchase of temporary, weekly, or monthly permits by any carpool member makes the entire carpool ineligible for the rebate.

Additional Benefits

  • Students who formally carpool and are not the permit holder are also eligible for:
    • 2 Complimentary Daily Parking Passes Per Month: The two complimentary daily passes cannot be shared among the group or given to another person for use.
    • Additional Discounted Parking Passes: 5 daily passes per semester at the half-price rate.
    • Both can be obtained in the Transportation Office, located in Nottoway Annex (Lot C).
    • Please note: Complimentary permits will continue to be hangtags for now. They will be phased out over time, and we will eventually be issuing virtual permits as the incentive.
  • Financial Savings: Sharing the cost of one parking permit and gas helps save money on your commute.
  • Less Stressful Commute: Carpools can take advantage of HOV lanes and arrive at campus faster.
  • Go Green: Make your contribution to our environment by carpooling and helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

If Your Carpool Changes

If a member of the carpool chooses to leave the carpool, the primary permit holder needs to promptly notify the Transportation Office. If only one member remains in the carpool, the Transportation Office must be notified and all alternative transportation programs will be canceled.