Petition to: Columbia University Administration and Transportation Services

Columbia University has announced plans to discontinue the George Washington Bridge (GWB)/Fort Lee Shuttle Service on August 1. This decision threatens to upend the daily lives of hundreds—if not thousands—of students, faculty, healthcare workers, researchers, and staff who rely on this essential transit option to get to and from Columbia’s campuses and medical centers.

We are urging Columbia University to reverse this decision and preserve this vital service that ensures equitable access to education, employment, and healthcare.

Who This Affects

• Healthcare professionals who serve in critical roles at CUIMC, often working irregular or extended hours
• Students living in New Jersey who depend on the shuttle to attend classes, labs, and campus activities
• University staff and researchers whose work supports the University’s academic and clinical missions
• Environmentally conscious commuters who chose Columbia’s shuttle service to reduce their carbon footprint

What’s at Stake

• Increased financial burden: Commuters face significantly higher costs with NJ Transit or private transportation alternatives
• Longer, more unpredictable commutes: Public transportation from Fort Lee and the surrounding areas is often delayed, overcrowded, and inefficient
• Equity and access: Removing this service disproportionately affects staff and students who choose to live in New Jersey.
• Community morale: This decision undermines Columbia's stated commitment to supporting sustainable transportation practices.

Why Now Is the Time to Act

This decision was made with little transparency and without meaningful input from those who will be most affected. With the deadline looming on August 1, we must raise our voices now to make clear that this service is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Removing this shuttle will sever a key link in the lives of countless Columbia community members and could even impact the University's operations if staff and students can no longer commute reliably.

✍️ What we are Asking

We respectfully request that Columbia University:

1. Suspend the August 1 termination date
2. Open a public forum for input from shuttle users
3. Explore alternative cost-saving or scheduling options that retain service to GWB/Fort Lee
4. Reaffirm its commitment to supporting an inclusive, accessible campus

We believe Columbia can and should do better. Sign this petition today to stand up for accessible, reliable, and sustainable transit for all members of the Columbia community.

🖊️ Sign. Share. Speak up.

Let’s keep the shuttle moving.

#SaveTheShuttle #ColumbiaCommutes #GWBShuttle