Transportation is expected to be one of the main issues employees will struggle with during the Olympics, and the University has developed several initiatives to make the commute as smooth as possible.
Employees are encouraged to sign up in the Parking Office if they are interested in carpooling during the Olympics. According to Assistant Director of Community Services and Transportation Cheryle Crumley, the Parking Office will assist in matching employees with other carpoolers from their area.
While deck parking will be assured during the Olympics, Crumley said she expects street parking to be affected. Anyone who doesn't have a deck card may purchase a prorated deck permit for the period of the Olympics.
The Emory Olympic Committee has agreed to subsidize MARTA transit cards for anyone on the main campus not currently using the program for the 17-day period of the Olympic Games (July 19-Aug. 4). According to Crumley, employees would need to come to the Parking Office on July 18 to turn in their hang tag and pick up tokens for July 19, 20 and 21, and a weekly card for July 22-28. The following week, they would need to return after Wednesday, July 24, to pick up a weekly card for July 29-Aug. 4. Employees can pick up their hang tags any time after July 31.
Crumley said that if at any point during the Olympics an employee finds that the MARTA option is not working, they can come by and return any unused MARTA cards and tokens, and get their hang tag back.
While employees are encouraged to use public transportation, MARTA and the Atlanta Commitee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) are encouraging commuters not to use MARTA from 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Currently, shuttles to and from the Kensington station run from 6:29-7:53 a.m. and from 3:08-5:38 p.m. Other MARTA routes begin arriving on campus at 5:46 a.m., and the last ones leave at 11:42 p.m. Complete schedules are available in the Parking Office.
For more information on alternative transportation during the Olympics, call the Parking Office at 727-7275.