Transportation Week runs from Sept. 20-25 at West Virginia University. Hosted by the WVU Department of Transportation and Parking, this week is all about giving area residents the opportunity to try out different modes of transportation aside from using a car throughout the congested Morgantown area.

For the 2010-2011 school year, many transportation options are available to the WVU community as part of the WE GO Campaign for Alternative Transportation that strives to reduce congestion and pollution in and around Morgantown.

The alternative transportation modes encouraged include the PRT, a carpool program for commuters called Zimride, a new short-term car-sharing program called Zipcar, the Mountain Line bus service and walking or biking.

“These modes are essential to the overall reduction of single occupancy cars that could congest our streets, and they promote healthy lifestyles,” said Hugh E. Kierig, director of Transportation and Parking at WVU. “They provide ways for getting around town without a car.”

Transportation Week event schedule:

Monday, Sept. 20
Walking/Biking Day: Walk or ride your bike to campus because those are the cheapest and healthiest ways to get around. A booth will be set up in the Mountainlair from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with free giveaways for anyone who walks or bikes to campus and for those wanting to sign up for the Confident City Cycling program. Additional information will be given out about the benefits of walking and biking.

Tuesday, Sept. 21
Zimride Day: This day will focus on carpooling, vanpooling, and the use of Zimride as an online resource to match commuters for ridesharing. A booth will be set up in the Mountainlair from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for any students or faculty interested in information on ridesharing programs and for WVU employees who want to sign up for the Occasional Parker Program. There will be giveaways for those who register for Zimride. More information can be found at http://zimride.wvu.edu.

Wednesday, Sept. 22
Zipcar Day: There will be a booth set up in the Mountainlair from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for any students or employees who want to sign up for the new short-term car rental program, Zipcar. A few gifts will be given out to those who sign up on this day, including $35 worth of free rentals for new registrants to the Zipcar program.

Thursday, Sept. 23
Mountain Line Day: Mountain Line Transit Authority will be holding contests throughout the day through Facebook and Twitter. If you post the correct name of a certain bus driver on a certain route you could win an iTunes card, Mountie Bounty or Grey Line tickets for Thanksgiving break! Join us on Facebook or Twitter by texting “follow Mountain Line” to phone number 40404.

Friday, Sept. 24
PRT Day: Ride the PRT on Friday to receive free giveaways at the Towers and Engineering stations.

Saturday, Sept. 25
Transportation Week wraps up at the Morgantown Farmers Market located at Spruce Street and Fayette Avenue. A booth set up at the market will provide information on WVU transportation and will hand out gifts to those who walk, bike or take the PRT or Mountain Line to the Farmers Market on Saturday.

For additional information on the Transportation Week events and alternative modes of transportation we offer at WVU, please contact the Parking Management office at (304) 293-5502, visit the website at http://transportation.wvu.edu or follow us on Twitter @WVUDOT.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Nick Halfhill, Marketing Coordinator
Department of Transportation and Parking
(304) 293-8883, Nicholas.Halfhill@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.