Sustainability Initiatives

UGA Transportation and Parking services is committed to finding and implementing innovative solutions for sustainable transportation. Our initiatives include:

Electric Buses

The University of Georgia has more than 30 electric buses, and more are on the way! These 40-foot electric buses emit no pollution and have lower operating costs than existing diesel powered buses, representing a tremendous step forward in reducing emissions and increasing opportunities for experiential learning and research. UGA Transportation & Parking Services plans to continue to provide sustainable transportation well into the future with a long-term goal of offering a diverse fleet of alternative-fueled vehicles.

In 2019, UGA TPS purchased 20 Proterra Electric buses as a part of the university’s strategic plan to advance campus sustainability. UGA received a competitive grant from the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) for $10 million, which was matched with $7.5 million from Auxiliary Services. The University of Georgia was also awarded $7.46 million under the Federal Transit Administration’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program to purchase an additional 13 electric buses. The funding, along with UGA’s 30% matching share, grew the university’s fleet to 33 electric buses in 2021.

Approximate energy costs for the new zero-emission buses total approximately $15-$20 per bus per day, while the current diesel buses cost approximately $150-$200 per bus per day. Yearly maintenance costs has decreased from $22,000 to roughly $7,500 per bus.

TPS has several local partners that have contributed to this massive project, including the Office of University Architects, Office of Sustainability, Georgia Power, Facilities Management Division, and the Department of Geography. UGA Auxiliary Services has also partnered with the College of Engineering to work with four student teams as they complete capstone projects related to electric bus technology and live field data. These projects have the potential to advance electric bus technology and improve lives through better transportation worldwide.

ChargePoint Charging Stations

Electric Vehicle Chargers are located in North, South, East Campus, STEM, and Hull St. parking decks. A total of six charging stations are available 24 hours a day and charge all electric vehicles with a Type 2 Charger (single & three phase vehicle coupler plug).

Rates:

Time	Fee
0-120 minutes	$0.75*
Each additional hour	$1.50*

*In addition to Parking Deck Hourly Rates

Features

Intelligent Power Charging

Reduced charging time
Self-retracting cords (keeps charging cords off the ground)
Functional with temperatures ranging from -22°F to +122°F degrees.
Quick connect charging connectors (locks into your vehicle)
Dynamically charges two vehicles between two parking spaces

Driver-Friendly User Interface

Instructional video shows how to use the station
Multi-language (English, French, Spanish)
Touch button interface (step-by-step instructions)
Backed by ChargePoint’s world-class 24/7 driver phone support

Status Notifications

You can sign up to receive notifications via text message and/or email. You can sign up to be notified immediately when any of these conditions occur:

When your car is fully charged
When your car is no longer charging due to an interruption
When the power to your car is reduced
For charging station reservation status and reminders

Payment and Charge Management

Charging rates are displayed on the screen ($ per hour)
Credit card is used upon first use of a paid station (afterward your ChargePoint account will be used for payment)
Make sure to hold the card over the smart card reader symbol and wait a few seconds for it to read the card

Alternative Transportation Support

As part of its commitment to sustainable solutions, Transportation & Parking Services (TPS) supports a variety of alternative transportation options that reduce traffic on campus and emissions from single-occupancy cars.

UGA Ride Smart is a collaboration between TPS and Lyft that not only provides students with a method of safe travel at night, but also encourages ride-sharing and carpooling. Students can receive discounts on Lyft rides that meet the program qualifications, and only the student ordering the Lyft needs to be eligible. Multiple individuals can ride in the same Ride Smart car, reducing the number of single-occupancy trips.

The Bulldog Bike Share program was created to provide campus commuters with a convenient, low-cost cycling option. Individuals can pick up a bicycle at any bike share station, ride it to their destination, and check it back in at any station nearby, all through the use of a mobile app.

In addition to cycling, walking UGA’s campus is one of the best ways to get around. The Watch for Dawgs program is designed to equip pedestrians, cyclists, and micromobility users with the tools needed to safely navigate campus while also teaching motorists how to safely interact with these individuals. Please visit the Watch for Dawgs site for more information.

UGA reCYCLE

UGA reCYCLE is a need-based bicycle recycling and redistribution program for the UGA campus community. The program refurbishes bikes that were abandoned on campus bike racks and puts them in the hands of UGA students and employees who need them for transportation to and from school or work. The reCYCLE program is driven by a coalition of partners including UGA Transportation & Parking, UGA Office of Sustainability, UGA Police Department, and the local nonprofit BikeAthens. Learn more.

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