2008 Woodie Awards
Ditch your car to save time and money
Ideas to beat the traffic
Mathew Cobb
Issue date: 9/15/06 Section: Opinion
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Big cities possess this. Universities hope to possess this. Sprawling cities strive to possess this.
"This" is not students, but a reliable transportation system that functions without personalized motor vehicles.
As students, we are expected to wait until the last minute to complete assignments, show up at work and most infamous of all, get to class.
But this last expectation is more difficult to accomplish as traffic in Tacoma increases and our university establishes itself more prominently in the downtown landscape.
Driving to school is a rite of passage for many of us. Part of the routine of a student's day is the struggle to get up and battle traffic en route to class. But whereas many campuses contain some sort of set-aside parking, our campus does not.
Sure, there are parking lots, but compound the money spent each day for this parking privilege, and already-light pockets are suddenly even more lightweight.
Thus, I propose two alternatives to driving to school that apply to all students, both new and returning. Both will expedite the time it takes to get to class. These quicker, easier and cheaper options can actually leave you with more time to spare.
Take the bus!
Although public transportation can carry a negative stigma, a bus is the most efficient way to get to class. Fewer cars on the road, decreased levels of smoggy emissions, and more time to yourself, mean a smoother ride.
Consider, also, that planning around a bus schedule for class or work is a great way to refine time management skills.
Buses typically run every half hour and the majority of them stop at the steps of our campus on Pacific Avenue. Whether you're heading south to Olympia, north to Seattle, or somewhere in between, the bus is the most efficient way to consistently get to class on-time.
Consider as well that driving less saves what money we possess from going into the gas tank. Also, a vehicle insurance policy tends to cost less when mileage decreases.
"This" is not students, but a reliable transportation system that functions without personalized motor vehicles.
As students, we are expected to wait until the last minute to complete assignments, show up at work and most infamous of all, get to class.
But this last expectation is more difficult to accomplish as traffic in Tacoma increases and our university establishes itself more prominently in the downtown landscape.
Driving to school is a rite of passage for many of us. Part of the routine of a student's day is the struggle to get up and battle traffic en route to class. But whereas many campuses contain some sort of set-aside parking, our campus does not.
Sure, there are parking lots, but compound the money spent each day for this parking privilege, and already-light pockets are suddenly even more lightweight.
Thus, I propose two alternatives to driving to school that apply to all students, both new and returning. Both will expedite the time it takes to get to class. These quicker, easier and cheaper options can actually leave you with more time to spare.
Take the bus!
Although public transportation can carry a negative stigma, a bus is the most efficient way to get to class. Fewer cars on the road, decreased levels of smoggy emissions, and more time to yourself, mean a smoother ride.
Consider, also, that planning around a bus schedule for class or work is a great way to refine time management skills.
Buses typically run every half hour and the majority of them stop at the steps of our campus on Pacific Avenue. Whether you're heading south to Olympia, north to Seattle, or somewhere in between, the bus is the most efficient way to consistently get to class on-time.
Consider as well that driving less saves what money we possess from going into the gas tank. Also, a vehicle insurance policy tends to cost less when mileage decreases.
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