Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.63
Liaison Karen Oberer
Submission Date Aug. 22, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

McGill University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
No

None
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
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Does the institution provide short-term bicycle parking for all occupied buildings and makes long-term bicycle storage available for students who live on-site (if applicable)?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Re. storage facilities: During the winter months, long-term storage is offered for student residents’ bikes in the basement of Laird Hall, free of charge. Re. bicycle parking: Campus and Space Planning has prepared a comprehensive survey of bicycle racks on the downtown campus, marking the location, type and size of racks on campus. Please click on the following link to access the survey http://www.mcgill.ca/campusplanning/files/campusplanning/2012_bikerack_survey.pdf You may also visit our Google map page for the location of bicycle racks on the downtown campus at https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zpqOeqaYmT_Q.k3_abGKqiygA Source/more information available at: http://www.mcgill.ca/transport/cycling
+ Date Revised: Aug. 31, 2017

Does the institution have a bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy (or adhere to a local community plan/policy) that sets standards and practices for campus streets to enable safe access for all users?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:
Members of the McGill community are encouraged to cycle to the downtown campus. There are approximately 200 bicycle racks and a total of 1800 bicycle spaces on the downtown campus. Cyclists not destined for McGill should use the University Street bike path when connecting between Milton street and Sherbrooke or de Maisonneuve. Please note, the lower campus and McTavish Street between Sherbrooke and Dr. Penfield are now pedestrian zones. To ensure pedestrian safety, cyclists will be asked to dismount in these areas and either park their bikes at one of the racks provided, or walk their bikes on campus. On McTavish St., the requirement to dismount bicycles is enforceable by the City of Montréal and fines may be imposed by the City.

Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
In conjunction with local transportation demand management center Voyagez Futé, Macdonald Campus Administrative Services first acquired a fleet of five (5) bicycles for loan to staff, students and faculty in June 2003. With later acquisitions and donations, the fleet now consists of sixteen (16) bicycles available for loan. Those interested in taking out a bike need simply present themselves to Macdonald Campus Security with their McGill ID card. Maximum loan time is 3 hours. The bicycles are available from spring until November 1 (season may be extended if weather permits). McGill staff, faculty and students are offered discounts for annual memberships to the municipal bicycle sharing service (BIXI).

Mass Transit Programs 

Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the mass transit programs:
Macdonald Campus shuttle service provides students with a free alternative to driving. The bus transports students between the Downtown Campus and the Macdonald Campus in approximately 30 minutes and operates on a regular schedule throughout the year.

Guaranteed Return Trip Program 

Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
No

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
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Carpool/Vanpool Programs 

Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
Yes

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
There is an informal group committed to connect vehicle owners to ride share seekers travelling between the Macdonald and Downtown Campuses that continues to be successful. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MacCarpooling/

Car Sharing Program 

Does the institution participate in a car sharing program, such as a commercial car-sharing program, one administered by the institution, or one administered by a regional organization?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
PGSS (Post-Graduate Students' Society) members have access to Communauto’s Le Lièvre package, offering a discount of up to 20% on regular hourly rates.

EV Recharging Stations 

Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
No

None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
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Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs 

Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Arrangements for telecommuting, where reasonable, are negotiated directly between employees and their departments on an ad hoc basis.

Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week option:
Arrangements for a condensed work week option, where reasonable, are negotiated directly between employees and their departments on an ad hoc basis.

Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting 

Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
Macdonald Campus Housing has seventy-two (72) houses of various sizes close to campus (the furthest being approximately 3 km away) that can accommodate employees and their families. Only full-time McGill employees may apply to live in these residences.

Does the institution employ other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting (e.g. preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, cash-out of parking programs)?:
Yes

A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
McGill holds multiple sessions at the beginning of the semester where students can obtain a Montreal public transport (STM) pass at a reduced rate. The collaboration between the university and the STM allows students to obtain passes quicker as they can avoid traveling to, and the long lines at the central STM customer service center. https://www.mcgill.ca/transport/transit#stm

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.