Transportation receives 'A' in sustainability for third consecutive year

BLACKSBURG, Va., Nov. 2, 2009 – Virginia Tech has been recognized as a sustainable campus leader through the College Sustainability Report Card for the 2010 year.

Transportation, one of the categories rated that contributes to the university’s overall grade, received an 'A' for the third year in a row.

The College Sustainability Report Card gives detailed information for hundreds of college campuses nationwide. The organization is able to rate individual programs and areas such as transportation, food, and recycling, as well as student involvement, and more. These ratings determine the college or university’s overall sustainability grade.

The programs available at Virginia Tech through the Alternative Transportation unit on campus such as the carpool program, Bike, Bus, and Walk, fare-free boarding for Blacksburg Transit, discounted Smart Way Bus passes, and most recently U Car Share, raise the bar for sustainable transportation in Blacksburg. Due to these transportation options available to faculty, staff, and students, Virginia Tech has been named one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters for four years which was also taken into consideration on the report card.

In addition, environmentally friendly practices at Fleet Services are noted as well. In recent years, Fleet Services has added hybrid vehicles to their rental fleet and biodiesel is now available for a variety of the state vehicles.

View Virginia Tech's College Sustainability profile online.