Students without cars find other ways to travel

The everyday privilege of driving has become a memory for many students on The Hill.

Freshman and upperclassman who live on and commute to campus are restricted because of the University’s policy on freshman not having vehicles and the limited number of parking decals available each year.

These students must therefore find other ways to get around.

TalTran, the city transportation authority, is a common means of transportation among students who do not want to rely on others to get a ride.

“Getting around Tallahassee may be a bit more difficult without a car but it is possible. It kind of depends on how bad you are trying to get where you’re going.”

Jessica McGuire, a freshman agricultural business student, said she has an array of people she can easily ask for a ride, but said she prefers not to.

“I don’t really like to bother people for rides, everybody is too busy on this campus so I don’t mind riding the bus,” said the 18-year-old from Chicago.

The bus is an alternative to paying for gas or asking a friend for a ride since it is free to all students with a Rattler Card.

However, McGuire said students rarely can depend on the bus. With late arrival and departure times, the TalTran schedule does not operate like clockwork.

Using a cab is an option that is over looked by students because it can become costly.

Yellow Cab is available 24 hours a day and offers a chauffeured experience.

A disadvantage to this transportation is that there is never a set price.

“I can give you a quote within $3 but not an exact price,” said Christy Richardson, a Yellow Cab dispatcher.

Ballpark prices range from $5-$8 and $6-$9 for a trip to frequented destinations such as Governor’s Square Mall and the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Apalachee Parkway from The Set.

Transportation is also an issue for students with jobs.

It is a main reason many Rattlers remain unemployed.

Jerry Rene, 18, from Orlando, works four days a week at Shrimp Pocket in Governor’s Square Mall.

“It takes me three buses to get to and from work,” Rene said.

The freshman general studies student is scheduled to work when he doesn’t have classes-Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and weekends-which gives him more time to complete his journey.

Some upperclassmen that need to get around try to borrow transportation.

Nolan Smith, a 20-year-old Los Angeles native, said his friend always lends his car to him.

“As long as I have my own insurance and put gas in the tank, I’m straight,” said the sophomore mechanical engineering student.

contact megan torrence at m_r._torrence@yahoo.com.