Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Shuttles for Meeting Planners in Arlington

As a meeting planner, one of the many important aspects to consider is ensuring your event is not only seamless and memorable but also sustainable. In today’s world, making eco-conscious decisions is more critical than ever, especially when it comes to transportation.

Arlington is fortunate to have several eco-friendly shuttle alternatives that will help you reduce your event’s carbon footprint while also ensuring the comfort and convenience of attendees while getting around.

Pictured | WMATA Metro
Credit | @robertrunsdc on Instagram

1. Metrorail & Metrobus

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates both the Metrorail and Metrobus systems and is known for their clean and efficient operations in the region. Arlington is well connected to Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas with 11 Metro stations on the Orange, Silver, Blue and Yellow lines, plus easy connections to the Red Line for access to Amtrak via Union Station.

Metro SmarTrip® Cards can be purchased at any Metrorail station, at Metro sales offices, or at locations of The Commuter Store in Ballston, Crystal City, Rosslyn and Shirlington. These are rechargeable cards used to pay both Metrorail and Metrobus fares. You can also add your card to your mobile phone to eliminate the need for a physical copy.

Metro operates Monday - Thursday, 5 a.m. until 12 a.m.; Friday, 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m. until 1 a.m.; Sunday: 7 a.m. until 12 a.m.

2. Arlington Transit (ART)

Within Arlington County, Arlington Transit (ART) supplements Metrobus by operating smaller, neighborhood-friendly vehicles and providing access to Metrorail and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE). ART also utilizes Metro SmarTrip® Cards or cash to pay bus fares.

ART's full fleet transitioned to CNG buses, reducing emissions and promoting environmental stewardship back in 2013, and is currently working on a transition plan for the adoption of electric buses, ushering in a new era of clean and efficient transit.

3. Ridesharing

Ridesharing has become a game-changer in recent years, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional car ownership or large shuttle bus services. Uber, Lyft, and local options such as Arlington's own Arlington Blue Top Cab help reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road, cutting down on emissions and traffic congestion. See a full list of ridesharing options here.

4. Cycling

Bike-friendly Arlington has 100-plus miles of multi-use trails, on-street bike lanes and designated bike routes. Arlington participates in Capital Bikeshare that puts over 2,500 bicycles at your fingertips. Choose a bike from over 300 stations, including 92 in Arlington, and return it to any station near your destination.

Capital Bikeshare riders can choose short-term access (30 Min, 24-Hours or 3-Days) or long-term access (30-Days or Annually). Capital Bikeshare is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. All trips under 30 minutes are free. Trips beyond 30 minutes incur usage fees which increase incrementally the longer the bike is out.

Arlington also has many other options for shared micro-mobility devices through operators like Bird, Lime and Spin. These rental devices are “dockless”, which means they don’t have designated start and end hubs or stations, making them not only a greener way to get around, but also super convenient.

5. Walking

The most inexpensive and truly sustainable way to maneuver around Arlington is on foot! Renowned for its lively, walkable neighborhoods, Arlington has wide sidewalks, beautiful trails, award-winning public art, and ample shopping, dining, nightlife and attractions just steps away from hotels. Named a Gold Level Walk Friendly Community by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, Arlington is the ideal destination for attendees looking to get out and explore.

Let Us Help You

Moving large groups around can be a challenge, but the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service (ACVS) can help you. Reach out to ACVS Director of Sales, Portia Conerly, at 703-228-0873, or Destination Sales Manager, Roxana Rivera, at 703-228-5108 for assistance with every aspect of your group visit. Get brochures, itinerary suggestions, site visits, hotel RFPs, vendor suggestions and more to help you plan your next sustainable meeting in Arlington!

Author

Jackie Evans

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Metro

Many attractions in and around D.C. can be reached by using Metro, the area’s subway system. Try Metro's real-time Trip Planner for rail and bus.

Metrorail Hours of Operation

Metro operates Monday - Thursday, 5 a.m. until 12 a.m.; Friday, 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m. until 1 a.m.; Sunday: 7 a.m. until 12 a.m.

For more information on using the Metro and the area's bus system Metrobus, visit https://www.wmata.com/service/...

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