How to get around at University

How to get around at University

Students do not always have the luxury of living right next to a university of their choice. Therefore it is important for students to make a decision with regards to transport. Students need to get from A to B and this can be achieved in many ways. Students that live in Res might need to go home to their parents every now and then and this might be far away. Not all students can afford to have a motor vehicle and will therefore need alternative solutions. Profgrad would like to discuss the various options available to students who have certain transportation requirements.

If you live within a few kilometres of the university you are studying at, the cheapest solution to your travelling conundrum could be a bicycle. A bicycle does not require much maintenance; it is an easy way to get from A to B. You will not need to fill it with fuel and it is an excellent way to keep in shape. By driving to and from University, depending on how far you stay, you will be able to get some daily exercise. One of the very few maintenance requirements on a bicycle is a puncture repair kit. This is not expensive and easy to be performed at home by you. If you are working on a tight budget, a pre-owned bicycle may not be a bad idea. For new and pre owned bicycles, see link below:

http://cyclefactory.co.za/

Students understand financial pressure. Earning a salary usually only starts once you have completed your studies. Money is usually spent on student loans and living expenses. It is not common for students to be driving the latest BMW or Mercedes and therefore finding a second hand car is usually your best solution to purchasing a vehicle. Choosing a motor vehicle is an important decision. They say that it is the second biggest financial decision a person can make after purchasing a house. Many factors need to be considered when choosing an automobile. Distance is most probably the most important consideration. A few things to consider might be how often it needs to be serviced, how much fuel it uses and the costs involved with insuring the vehicle. For affordable cars, see link below:

http://www.mycars.co.za/  

If you study within Gauteng, the Gautrain is a good option. It has busses which can pick you up and drop you off close to your desired location. To view the different Universities in Gauteng see http://profgrad.co.za/institution.html.  There are also regular trains and the inconvenience of sitting and waiting for a train is minimised. The Gautrain runs close to nearly all the major universities in Gauteng. If you use the train often, certain discounted rates and plans are available to help with the costing. To see this option and view the train stations, see the link below:

http://www.gautrain.co.za/

There are many other means of transport. If you plan on going home over the weekend or holidays the option of a lift club is also available. Make friends with people who might take the same route as you. This can be an affordable option for both the driver and you as fuel and other costs can be split. If this option is not available to you, you can always ride the bus. To see the costs involved with riding the bus as well as the different destinations the bus goes to, see the link below:

https://www.greyhound.co.za/

Which mode of transport suits you best?