Conway, S.C.-based Coastal Carolina University’s Office of Sustainability is offering alternative transportation options through a new program, “Teal Transportation,” launching this fall semester.

“More sustainable transportation can reduce parking demands, promote healthy lifestyles and help create a cleaner environment,” says Jennifer Sellers, sustainability coordinator. “Alternative transportation is a creative way of thinking about how you get from one place to another.”

Teal Transportation brings together several transportation alternatives for students, including the campus shuttle, biking, Zipcar and a password-protected online ride board where students can actively seek rides with other students.

Each of these provides students the option to travel without having to use their own car.

Campus Recreation offers a free bicycle share program; the campus shuttle, which operates daily, includes trips to local stores; and Zipcar is a membership-based car-sharing program. The alternative transportation program has been promoted during all the orientation events.

Teal Transportation is a collaborative project between the offices of Student Affairs, Sustainability, Safety and Transportation, Campus Recreation and Contractual & Business Services.

Earlier this year, Coastal Carolina University was named in “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges.”

The school profiles in the guide feature essential information for applicants — facts and stats on school demographics, admission, financial aid — plus profiles on the schools' specific sustainability initiatives.

A "Green Facts" sidebar reports on a wide range of topics, from the school's use of renewable energy sources, recycling and conservation programs to the availability of environmental studies and career guidance for green jobs.