Campus Commuter Challenge

Syracuse University - SUNY-ESF
CAMPUS COMMUTER CHALLENGE II
October, 2008

Reducing the environmental impact of commuting to work on University Hill.

Tools for Sustainable Commuting

Do you need help getting started on a new way to get to work? Here are some handy tools.

1) Riding the bus. Click this link for schedules for express routes, park-n-ride routes, and commuter buses that take you directly to campus from many locations in the region. Centro buses can also carry your bicycle, if you want to ride in one direction only. Centro is a great choice for low-impact commuting, because they use low-emissions compressed natural gas buses and have recently added low-emission, low-noise diesel-electric hybrids to the fleet. Bus fares are cheaper than driving and parking, and you can use the time on the bus to catch up on reading or sleeping.

2) Riding a bike -- it's good for your health and for the environment. Here is a link to the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council's Bicycle Suitability Map, showing the best routes for bicyclists. Centro buses can also carry your bicycle if you want to ride in one direction only -- check Centro schedules here.

3) Ride sharing and carpooling. USAC hopes to provide an online resource for matching up riders, and SU Parking Services will provide incentives for carpooling.

4) Guaranteed Ride Home. If you ride a commuter bus or bike a long distance to campus but need to return home due to an emergency and there is no scheduled bus at that time, Centro and SU Parking Services will be teaming up to offer a guaranteed ride home, either in a Centro vehicle or in a taxi. The Guaranteed Ride Home is available year-round to Centro monthly passport holders.

5) Car share programs. Two new opportunities are coming soon, CuseCar (at ESF) and ZipCar (at SU). For a modest subscription and low hourly rate, these programs allow you to borrow a car right on campus. If you bus or bike to work or carpool in someone else's car, this allows you to run an errand or pick up a sick child in the middle of the day.

6) For the ultimate low-impact commute, consider living close to campus. The University neighborhood has wonderful housing stock, good public schools, proximity to all the great cultural opportunities on campus and downtown, good bus service, and shopping within walking or biking distance. Check out the University Neighborhood Preservation Association (UNPA) to learn about incentives for buying in the neighborhood.

The CCC is supported by the SU Vice Chancellor's Office and Centro.
It is being planned by the University Sustainability Action Coalition.