Campus Initiatives: Transportation

University Fleet    Zipcar    Rideshare
Low-Emitting Vehicle Parking    Getting Around Campus

University Fleet

Elon began operating its first bio-bus in January of 2007. There are now 7 bio-buses in Elon’s fleet, all of which run on fuel that is 20% bio-fuel and 80% ultra low sulfur diesel. This bio-fuel burns cleaner than regular diesel and contains fewer petroleum-based components. Elon’s buses are refueled on campus at the University’s own refueling station. This initiative was made possible through a $1 million federal grant, which U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.) helped secure.   

The bio-buses run along the shuttle and tram routes. A GPS tracking system, NextBus, has been installed to provide exact bus location and arrival time. Those waiting at a bus stop can call the service with the bus number printed on each bus stop sign to find out the exact location of the bus for which they are waiting. The NextBus website also has a feature that will allow riders to set-up text messaging to tell them when the bus on their route is five or ten minutes away from the desired stop.    

In addition to the bio-buses, Elon has many other alternative fuel vehicles including 5 additional bio-diesel vehicles, 22 electric utility and security vehicles and 19 hybrid vehicles. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions. They run off of batteries, which are charged when they are not being used. Hybrid vehicles emit less pollution and get better gas mileage than non-hybrid versions of the same vehicle type.

Zipcar

Zipcar is a car sharing company, offering self-service, on-demand cars by the hour or day.

Elon University students, faculty, and staff can join Zipcar for $35/year. When they join, they get 24/7 access to Zipcars parked in the Moseley Center parking lot! They simply reserve online, let themselves in with their Zipcard, and drive. Low hourly and daily rates include gas, insurance, parking, and 180 miles per day. To join visit www.zipcar.com/elon. New Elon members will receive $35 in free driving to use their first month.

Elon members only need to be 18+ to join, those age 18-20 can use the Zipcars parked on the Elon campus. Members age 21+ also have access to thousands of Zipcars in other locations.

Refer a friend and get $50 in driving credit!

Current members are encouraged to motivate their friends to open their own account. For every friend that is approved as a member, the referring friend will receive $50 in driving credit. It can be split $25/$25, given all away, or kept by the referring member. But remember, friends must be referred online before they join to get the driving credit. To get started visit www.zipcar.com/members/refer.

Parents . . . Give them keys to a Zipcar!

Parking, gas, and insurance are included, when they drive a Zipcar. Compare the numbers.

Faculty and Staff . . . Zipcars are great for short trips!

For short University related trips, the Zipcars are even more economical than driving a personal vehicle for reimbursement.

Consider a trip to the Raleigh Durham airport, which is roughly 100 miles roundtrip. Reimbursed at the University’s mileage rate that is $50.Renting a Zipcar for three hours is about $26 during the week and $29 on the weekend.  You can feel good about saving your department money and helping the environment. Elon’s Zipcars get great gas mileage.

Department memberships (with unlimited members) are available for $100/year. Go to the website to get started www.zipcar.com/elon

More Zipcar information:  Overview of Zipcar, Zipcar FAQs

Rideshare

Ridesharing, also known as carpooling, was many benefits:

• Saving on gas money
• Putting less wear and tear on your vehicle
• Preventing 19.4 pounds of CO2 emissions for each gallon of gas you don’t use
• Having company during your daily commute or trip

If you are interested in sharing your ride to work on a regular basis or to the airport, beach or wherever you might be going, go to the Rideshare page within E-net. There you will be able to review the requests of others to see if any of them meet your needs. If you do not find a request that meets your needs, you can post your own rideshare request.

Elon students, faculty and staff are already ridesharing. Based on the responses to the Commuter Habit Survey conducted in the fall of 2008:

• 35% of students carpool on average 2 days a week.
• 14% of faculty carpool on average 3 days a week.
• 10% of staff carpool on average 3 days a week.

Low-Emitting Vehicle Parking

There are 4 low-emitting vehicle (LEV) parking spaces in the parking lot behind Lindner Hall. LEVs include non-hybrid and hybrid models. They have been classified as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) by the California Air Resources Board or have achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide. To learn more about LEVs and to find out if you drive one visit www.greenercars.org, or click here for a list of LEV vehicles. A LEV permit is required to park in these spaces and can be obtained from the Traffic Office. 

Getting Around Campus

The Elon campus is quite manageable on foot but some may prefer a bike depending on their destination. Bike racks are provided near at least one entrance of most buildings on campus. All bicycles must be registered with the Office of Safety & Police (no fee involved). Students living in Elon but not on campus are not allowed to bring their vehicles to campus until after 4pm and are then only allowed to park in the Moseley Center lot. For these students, biking to campus or using the University’s shuttle system are two great options.  Bikes can be rented by semester from Campus Recreation.

Currently, those traveling via bike to campus from the surrounding community or from campus into the surrounding community have limited access to designated bike lanes. A study was recently conducted to identify and prioritize key opportunities for improving the Town of Elon’s bicycle, pedestrian, and lighting systems over the next 20 years. The resulting plan has been adopted by the Town of Elon. Click here for an executive summary.