York University is the first Canadian institution to earn the designation of a “Best University for Commuters”for its many sustainable travel options available to the community.
The designation was awarded on Sept. 13 by Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC), the North American authority on recognizing and assisting workplaces that provide exceptional commuter benefits to employees.
With this designation, York joins institutions such as Harvard University, Princeton, Stanford and Yale that have also been commended for options available to travellers.
“York has spent many years building a strong transportation network, working with city partners to ensure our campuses are well-connected and accessible, and considering the ways we can lower our carbon footprint with sustainable travel options,” said Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration. “This new designation is a celebration of that work and a reflection of what’s to come. We’re continuing to invest in sustainable travel options and are committed to working with municipal and provincial partners to advocate for more affordable transit options, including fare integration, to improve benefits for our community.”
To earn this designation, York was recognized for the variety of benefits and options it provides to students, faculty, instructors and staff who travel to and from campus. These are:
- Bike share – York was the first university in the Greater Toronto Area to partner with Bike Share Toronto and offer three bike share stations on the Keele and Glendon campuses.
- Secure bike parking and repair stations – Two secured bike enclosures on the Keele campus offer peace of mind to cyclists and four do-it-yourself repair stations on Keele and Glendon campuses provide tools for quick fixes.
- Carpool incentives – A partnership with Zipcar enables easy car sharing, and preferred parking at a lower rate is available for those who regularly carpool to campus through the Diamond Pool Parking program.
- Electric vehicle charging stations – There are currently 30-plus + charging stations available at Keele and Glendon campuses.
- Glendon-Keele Shuttle – The shuttle offers service from 7:10 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. to all community members with a valid YU-card.
These benefits are made available through Transportation Services, which has a mission to support the University community through smart transportation options that are consistently evolving.
“The transit options to York have improved enormously since I was a student, with two subway stations to get you to class easier and faster,” said Mike Layton, chief sustainability officer. “Choosing sustainable travel is an great way for community members to contribute to York’s net zero commitment and reduce their personal carbon footprint.”