Overview
We're expanding programs to make sustainable commuting easier.
Did you know that transportation accounts forÌýnearly 50%Ìýof all greenhouse gas emissions in À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region? The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ is committed to providing programs, services, and resources to help you integrate active and sustainable travel into your daily and weekly commuting. It's a great wayÌýto save money, improve local air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier lifestyle! Learn more about the many resources available for students and employees:
TravelWiseÌý |Ìý Public transitÌý |Ìý Cycling + walkingÌý |Ìý Electric vehiclesÌý |Ìý CarpoolingÌý |Ìý Emergency-Ride-Home
TravelWise
À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ has partnered with TravelWise to access the gotravelwise.ca website and associated network. Employees and students can:
- Join the platform: Employees and students can join the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ private user group with their @uwaterloo.ca email:
- See your options:ÌýHow much does your commute cost you by car, bike, or bus? How much carbon do you produce? How many calories could you burn? How long will it take? Search your trip to UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ and findÌýall that and more!
- Track your trips:ÌýLog your trips to win quarterly prizes, keep tabs on your progress and impacts, and help UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ better understand employee commuting.
- Search for carpools:ÌýWant to find the perfect carpool match? Plug in your info and see who is out there waiting. (More information underÌýCarpooling.)Ìý
Public transit
À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ is located along many major transit routes, making the bus or train a simple and cost-effective way of getting to campus.
- Student UPass:ÌýFull-time undergraduateÌýand graduate students automatically receive a Grand River Transit (GRT)Ìýpass as part of their student fees. Simply show your WATCard for unlimited rides on the ION and GRT busses!
- Employee discounted transit passes: Through theÌý, all staff and facultyÌýcan receive a 15% discount on a monthly pass or individual fares. An electronic fare card will be mailed to you from GRT, and you can manage your subscription and balance through the GRT website by making auto-top-ups or one-time payments from your credit card. Retired faculty members who still regularly have ongoing academic activities or collaborations on campus may be eligible for the Corporate Pass. Please email sustainability@uwaterloo.ca to confirm the nature of your ongoing work to ensure this meets the requirements of the program.
- Finding transit routes: Visit the Ìýfor all route maps and schedules or Google Maps for transit routes.
- Tickets and inter-city travel:ÌýGRT fare cards, GO tickets, the FedÌýBus tickets, and PRESTO fare cards can be purchased at the Turnkey Desk in the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Centre. GO busses leave from the Transit Hub in East Campus.
Cycling + walking
À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's South Campus is located along the Laurel Trail and is filled with pedestrian-friendly walkways, with traffic mostly limited toÌýservices vehicles andÌýthose using accessible parking spots.
- Bike Centre: Run by WUSA, theÌýÌýis located in SLC 0101 and provides affordable access to tools, parts, and volunteer support on minor bike repairs and tune-ups. The Bike Centre also supports a termly bike loan program and bike auction for unclaimed bikes from around campus.
- Bikeshare: The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ has partnered with Neuron Mobility for an e-bike and e-scooter share program, as part of a region-wide program supporting sustainable transportation options between the campus and broader community.Ìý
- Bike storage: Secure bike boxes are available across main campus, as well as a new secure bike cage between EV3 and ML with covered bike racks, security cameras, and fob access. Both are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $10/month+HST and can be reserved through theÌýSustainable Transportation OfficeÌý(formerly Parking Services).Ìý
- Community bike repair: Check outÌý provides free community bike tune-up workshops or for bike repairs or used bikes, run by the Working Centre.
- Trails and bike lanes:ÌýYou can find nearby on-road and off-road cycling and walking routes easily usingÌý. Just search the way you would for driving directions, and hit the bike or walking icons! Find more specific information on the or webpages.
- Bike theft prevention:ÌýAmple open-air bike racks are available at all buildings around campus. Don't forget to lock your bike, and visit theÌýbike theft prevention tipsÌýfrom Police Services.ÌýYou can also register the serial number of your bike to make it easier to recover in case of theft!
Electric vehicles
A sustainable transportation system will require a massive transition to electric and alternative-fuel vehicles. À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ has expanded charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and has added a new incentive for electrification of campus fleet.
- EV charging stations: There are a growing number of EV charging stations across the campus, currently available for use free of charge with a valid À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ daily or monthly permit while charging. Except for the Tesla charger, all stations on the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ currently use the FLO/AddEnergie Network, allowing you to view station status to see which locations are available and monitor the status of your charging session during the day through a smartphone app from the station vendor. Current locations include include:
- E6: Tesla charger (Non-FLO network),ÌýLevel 2 charger,ÌýLevel 3 rapid-charger
- SCH: Two Level 2 chargers
- EC2:ÌýThree Level 2 chargers
- EC4: Three Level 2 chargers
- NH: Two Level 2 chargers
- L Lot:ÌýThree Level 2 chargers
- Plant Ops lot: Two Level 2 chargers (University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ fleet vehicles only)
- For more information on the charging stations, visit Sustainable Transportation's EV Charging webpage
- Fleet Electrification Incentive: À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ offers a $10,000 subsidy to any department seeking to replace an existing internal combustion engine vehicle with a fully electric model. Learn more about funding details and benefits on the Fleet Electrification Incentive webpage.
- Federal grants: Check out available from the federal government.
Carpooling
Sharing a ride is one of the easiest ways to save money on gas/parking and cut your environmental impact at least in half! Check out some opportunities for carpool matching and preferential parking:
*For your own safety, it is strongly encouraged to meet with a new match in a public area before you start carpooling. ÌýGet to know the person, agree on terms such as cost sharing, smoking/non-smoking, and music tastes.
- TravelWise carpool matching: Join the TravelWise employee or student group to match with other À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ employees or students, or with people from other TravelWise organizations and the community.
- Facebook rideshare matching: If you are looking for an impromptu ride, try posting on theÌý. You must have a Facebook account and join the UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Facebook Group with your @uwaterloo.ca student or staff/faculty email address to access.ÌýThis is a user-drivenÌýFacebookÌýgroup which the University does not monitor or control.
- Carpool parking:ÌýEmployees may contact Parking Services to set up a formal carpool, and you will get access to preferential parking spaces! Visit the Sustainable Transportation webpageÌýfor more information.
Emergency-Ride-Home
Sometimes the unexpected happens, and sustainable commuting options are not always as flexible as driving. Don't worry, you're covered through TravelWise. Here is how the program works:
- Staff and faculty who walk, cycle, take transit, or carpool are eligible
- Individuals may be reimbursed up to $75 per trip, up for 4 times per calendar year
- No pre-registration is required. Keep the receipt from your cab or other travel fare to submit a claim. The Region of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ reserves the right to inquire about the nature of your emergency. Employees abusing the ERH will lose further privileges.
- AccessÌýthe Ìýthrough TravelWise to learn what is covered and how to make a claim
- The program is not available for undergraduate or graduate students at this time