Virginia Tech has been cited as one of the 2021 Best Workplaces for Commuters in offering outstanding commuter programs and benefits to students and employees.

Best Workplaces for Commuters is an innovative membership program that provides qualified workplaces, universities, and sites with national recognition for providing exceptional commuter benefits.

Virginia Tech is one of 41 universities to receive the honor in 2021. View the full 2021 list.

The Virginia Tech Alternative Transportation Department proudly offers the campus community a range of commuter benefit options and programs:

  • Free access to the award-winning Blacksburg Transit bus system with a Virginia Tech ID.
  • The Hokie Bike Hub – a free, self-service bike repair and maintenance facility for students, faculty, and staff.
  • Ride matching and a Guaranteed Ride Home program through RIDE Solutions.
  • Free bus service between the Blacksburg campus and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute on the Roanoke campus.
  • Opportunities to log alternative transportation and telework to earn rewards and prizes in a new month-long Commute Challenge in October 2020.

Additionally, the department promotes safe cycling by offering cycling safety courses, hosting events, and providing educational materials throughout the year. The department also launched the Heads Up Hokies safety campaign to encourage Hokies and community members traveling across campus on foot, by bike, e-scooter, bus, or car to keep their heads up, act predictably, and pay attention to their surroundings.

Along with Best Workplaces for Commuters, these efforts were also recently recognized by the League of American Bicyclists, which designated Virginia Tech as a silver-level Bicycle Friendly University in late 2019. This honor recognizes Virginia Tech’s commitment to advancing and delivering a safe, bicycle-friendly campus for students, employees, and visitors.

All members of the university community were encouraged to share their feedback in the 2020 Commuter Survey. Results from the survey are still being calculated and will be reported soon.

Virginia Tech and its Alternative Transportation Department continue to improve infrastructure and conditions for cyclists through a variety of efforts, including the installation of more bike lanes and bike racks; the operation of the Hokie Bike Hub; and the addition of five Fix-It stations on campus.

“The Alternative Transportation Department is proud to once again earn a spot on the Best Workplaces for Commuters list. It shows that we remain committed to offering our community the best services and options for commuting,” said Nick Quint, transportation network manager and interim Fleet Services manager.

Bolstering alternative transformation programming and offerings go hand-in-hand with the university’s sustainability efforts and remains a critical principle in the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment.

The commitment serves as the university’s guiding framework around sustainability and energy efficiency in campus operations, facilities, curriculum, and research. In late 2019, President Tim Sands called for its renewal and revision to ensure the most stringent climate and sustainability standards are implemented as Virginia Tech continues to grow and seeks to be a leader in environmental stewardship. The final report continues to move through university governance and the financial review stage ahead of expected final approval and implementation later this spring.

For more information on alternative commuting, please visit the Alternative Transportation Department site or email gettingaround@vt.edu.

View the Best Workplaces for Commuters press release from Jan. 28.

Written by Christy Myers


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