By Tim Cherry
Belvoir Eagle Staff writer
Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Fort Belvoir Directorate of Logistics has made an internal shuttle system available on post.

Two, 15-passenger vans are now transporting personnel to nearby offices and dining locations from 6 to 9 a. m., and from 3 to 6 p. m., Monday through Friday. The shuttles are open to military personnel, and common access card- holder Family members and employees 18 and older. People under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. ' Hopefully, people use public transportation ... which will relieve the number of single- occupancy vehicles traveling throughout post,' said Claude McMullen, DoL director.

The route has 10 stops, with Pence Gate and Defense Logistics Agency serving as starting and finishing points. Other stops include 5th, 12th and 23st streets, the post exchange and Tracy Loop.

McMullen said the route targets the highest- populated areas on post.

A shuttle system was first used in the 1990s, but was stopped due to a lack of ridership. The idea was brought back to the forefront when the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act added 3,400 personnel on main post.

Juanita Green, transportation demand management coordinator, said the current system began to take shape in June when a pilot program was conducted to test pick up points and trip length.

The testing period resulted in altering the original route, but DoL was still comfortable enough to proceed and open van doors to personnel.

Green said the shuttle system will continue to be monitored and changed, when necessary.

DoL will upgrade to 20- or 45- passenger vehicles if the demand for transportation outweighs the capacity of the 15-seat vans.

An internal shuttle is the latest step toward improving main post traffic flow.

Green said the next step is to inform employees of a new external shuttle service starting in September.

The Fairfax County Connector will use about three, 40passenger buses to transport Belvoir personnel from Franconia- Springfield Metro Station to post.

' We still have to change the mindset of the employees here,' said Green, who understands the success of these traffic- relief initiatives depends upon constant usage by personnel.

DoL is still committed to reducing the number of single- occupancy vehicles by 10 percent by September.

Green soon hopes to conduct a survey to see how close Belvoir is to reaching this goal.

Editor's note: This is the first in a series about the rideshare program on Fort Belvoir. More information is available from www.belvoir.army.mil/rideshare.

Shuttle 1
Shuttle 2