When it comes to sustainable transportation, walking, cycling and public transit are the most environmentally friendly choices, but if these options aren’t convenient for you, then carpooling may be the way to go. York University currently has three carpool programs that can help you save money and protect the environment at the same time.
York’s Diamond Pool Program allows two or more registered vehicle owners (you must both be York community members) to come together and form a carpool. They bring one of their respective vehicles to campus at a time and share a parking space and the cost of the parking permit. Diamond Pool Parking is available in all lots on a first-come first-served basis. The fee for the Diamond Pool Parking Program is the equivalent fee to the lot of your choice. For more information on the Diamond Pool Program, visit the Parking Services website.
Diamond Pool members can also sign up for Smart Commute Priority Carpool Parking, where priority parking spots are designated for members of the Diamond Pool Program. York University and Smart Commute recently unveiled 45 priority parking spots on the Keele Campus. To learn more about how to take advantage of the priority parking spots, see the Smart Commute website.
Smart Commute also offers a Carpool Zone ride match service exclusively for York U community members. The Carpool Zone matches people up with others who share similar commuting routes. The program is free and you don’t need to be a driver to participate. Visit the Carpool Zone website for more information.
To learn more about what York University is doing on transportation, visit the transportation page on the Sustainability website.
At home, there are many other easy ways to reduce your transportation footprint, such as:
- Walk or use a bike to do errands that are close to home,
- use a car share program like Zipcar,
- keep your car tuned up and your tires inflated properly.
For more information, visit the transportation pledges on the sustainability site and the City of Toronto’s Transportation page.
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