Boulder Transportation Options

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As there are so many choices available to us, what factors into the methods of transportation that students are choosing? Many may make their decision based on cost as well as concern for the environment.

“Over 80 percent of the students actually use their bus pass at least once a semester,” said Dave Newport, director of the Environmental Center. “Most people who use it use it a lot.”

Bus passes cost students $58 per semester, and are part of the student fees that we all pay regardless of whether we utilize the bus system or not.

“You pay for it when you pay your fees,” Newport said of the bus pass. “There’s a $58 bus pass fee, and so when you enroll or register for classes… every semester you pay that fee.”

Bike registration at CU costs $10 per year, and among other things grants students unlimited free service at the bike station and access to loaner bikes referred to as “Buff bikes.” The $10 fee also helps to fund payments for bike racks on campus.

The cost of using a personal car for transportation is much more complicated to calculate. Gas consumption, insurance and parking permits are a few factors that students would have to take into consideration when purchasing a car.

Ryan Bender, a 22-year-old senior architecture major, takes advantage of the option of driving a car in Boulder. “The only thing that is a factor to me is just the convenience,” he said.

There are some students, however, who don’t see themselves bringing cars to Boulder.

“I’m from out of state and I personally would never bring a car here,” said Alyson Smith, 19, a freshman open-option major.

“I don’t want to pay for gas and the public transportation is really good anyway.” Certainly the cheapest and most environmentally friendly means of transportation around Boulder is walking, biking or taking the bus.

“It’s way cheaper for a student just to not even have a car here,” Newport said. “Plus you don’t even need it – you can get to anywhere you want to go in a bus pretty quick.”

Article by CU Independent
Staff Writer Sara Morrey.
http://www.cuindependent.com/