As we continue through high school, there is one particular desire that the majority of people have on their mind: driving a car to school. Not everyone necessarily owns their own, but rather drives a family­ owned vehicle. Nevertheless, reaching the age of having a license, and being granted more freedom than ever before, is the best part about this experience.

However, there are people like me. I am the senior who trudges to school every morning along Annaquatucket road at 7:00 AM. I manage to do so, but I am not going to pretend like I enjoy it all the time.

But surprisingly, there are upshots. Since I only have a mere five minute walk to school, I can sleep to 6:30 am and still throw myself together before walking out the door. Many times, if the weather causes slower driving conditions, in addition to the pre­existent traffic, I walk faster than the cars alongside me, thus making it to school on time.

Seniors, consider this: transportation in college. We need to understand the reality that we may not have a car on campus next year. Especially if any of us are going out­of­state.

Of course we need some way of getting around; whether to walmart to pick up snacks, concerts in the area, dinner with friends, and academic resource purposes as well. Many urban campuses have an open concept set­up, where the academic buildings are on the other end of a street to the dorms or dining hall.

We shall not fear! Transportation by train, bus, bikes, etc. more accessible than you may think. For example, after touring the University of New Hampshire this past summer, I learned that they have a train station for the Amtrak Downeaster that goes straight to Boston. The city of Boston is great for a weekend trip with friends or to visit those in the area, while dining, shopping, and entertainment with peers. And if you’re feeling somewhat homesick, from Boston you can go straight to the Wickford Junction train station to visit family in Rhode Island.

Bus transportation is one of the cheapest options available for traveling. To go to Providence for the day using the RIPTA is only a mere $4.00 there and back. Having been on multiple excursions of ice­skating and shopping to Providence so far this winter, senior Natalie Bernier said, “The RIPTA is a wonderful means of transportation, especially because it’s cheap, you see I’m broke, but I still want to have fun!” During the weekdays, if the bus isn’t your style, taking the train from Wickford to Providence is $3.00 round trip with student discount. Senior Katie Connolly said, “The train is nice because it is convenient and cheap. It’s relaxing and you don’t have to deal with traffic either.”

Senior Maggie Ryng even took an Uber home from Boston after a weekend with friends. Ryng said, “It was an interesting experience, it was like a taxi except less secure because you really had to trust the person who knew what they were doing. This was hard at times, but I made it out alive.”

For more leisure transportation, biking is practical and enjoyable as we head into the spring and summer months.

Senior Catherine Lenox said, “ I bike because it’s relaxing when I get stressed, to clear my mind. I go around Wickford and other areas, not with a destination in mind but just for exercise, and it’s simply more fun than driving.”

On college campuses, biking has become a phenomenon in getting to class. However, harsh Northeastern winters prevent biking year­round on campuses up here. But it’s not impossible! And if you are traveling to a college in the mid­east or southern United States, enjoy the blue skies and sun, and ride your bike to class!

In the end, transportation is simply here to get us where we need and want to go. Even though cars seem to have taken over the majority of our transportation today, let us not forget that there are other options. Let’s walk to our bike, bike to the bus, bus to the train, and let the Amtrak takes us on an unforgettable trip with friends all across the United States. Without having to stop our excursion and pay $2.19 for every gallon of gas.

 

FAST FACTS: Survey Results:

*multiple responses could be selected* (242 responses in total)

 

Q: What grade are you in?

9th: 17.8% 10th: 19.9% 11th: 24.5% 12th: 38.2%

Q: What is your usual transportation to and from school?

Car: 71.4% Bike 0.4% Bus: 37.3% Walk: 5.4%

Q: What is your usual transportation outside of school?

Car: 95% Bike: 3.7% Bus: 4.1% Walk: 11.2% Skateboard: 2.1% Uber: 0.4% Other: 0.8%

Q: Going to and from college, what type of transportation will you most likely use?

Car: 83.3% Bus: 12.1 % Train: 21.3% Plane: 13.8% Other: 2.1%

 

Q: Besides cars, are the aforementioned types of long distance transportation useful?

Yes: 89.9%    No: 11%

Q: On a college campus, what type of transportation will you most likely use?\

Car: 31.7% Bike: 27.5% Bus: 15.8% Walk: 80.0% Skateboard/Longboard: 5.4% Uber: 17.1% Other: 2.5%

 

Q: Besides cars, are the aforementioned types of transportation on a college campus useful?

Yes: 91.8% No: 8.2%

Q: Do you think people should be using other types of transportation more, rather than cars?

 Yes: 75.3% No: 26.8%