With the start of the spring 2007 semester only days away, Sacramento State students, staff and faculty members are looking for alternative methods of transportation to and from school, as well as other routes onto campus, said University Transportation and Parking Services Director Nancy Fox.

According to the UTAPS website, among those methods are the Hornet Express Shuttle and the Regional Transit light-rail trains and buses.

“The shuttle service is free to all Sacramento State students who have a valid OneCard,” Fox said. “It runs Monday through Friday from 8:40 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. with pickups and drop-offs about every 40 minutes.”

Fox said that what she finds most surprising is how many students are unaware of the fact that they have already paid to ride the RT buses and trains.

“Students have already paid a fee to ride the RT light-rail trains and buses with their other fees,” Fox said. “(They are entitled to ride) them at anytime and to anywhere. The RT (buses and trains are) great ways to travel to and from campus, as well as around Sacramento on the weekends.”

Fox said the trains and buses are also very accommodating for bicycles, rollerblades and scooters, as well.

“(Things like) bicycles can be brought onto light rail trains and placed either in bicycle racks or on the front of buses,” Fox said.

According to the RT website, the light rail trains and buses have two primary routes from I-80 to downtown Sacramento and from downtown Sacramento to Folsom. The trains run every day, from about 4:00 a.m. to midnight, and are very safe, according to the website.

That is a statement with which freshman journalism major Devon Love agrees.

“I do feel extremely safe when I am on the buses going to and from school,” Love said. “I don’t feel as safe while I’m waiting for the buses to arrive, but overall, it’s a pretty safe mode of transportation.”

Love said the time schedules do, however, leave a bit to be desired when it comes to traveling to and from work.

“The only negative I can think of is that the buses only run on certain time schedules,” Love said. “It would be better if they ran all night (so as to accommodate) people who have overnight jobs.”

For those who prefer the comfort of their own vehicles, bicycles or rollerblades, or for those who use driving as a way to better accommodate their schedules, there are also alternative routes to and from school, as well as different types of parking permits.

“Carpoolers may share the cost of a Sac State parking permit and park in preferential areas of the campus lots,” Fox said. “Bicyclists may park their bicycles in Bicycle Compound number one, at no charge. An attendant is always present from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, when classes are in session.”

Love said she not only enjoys riding her bike to school on occasion, but also that riding her bike doesn’t put any sort of strain on her finances.

“I like riding my bike to school,” Love said. “I don’t have to pay for gas or a parking permit.”

Fox went on to say there is a method transportation for everyone and that even students who are short on cash or work long hours have choices. She said among these options are driving, walking, biking, jogging, rollerblading or even skateboarding to and from school.

“I would recommend traveling under your own steam everywhere and at anytime one can,” Fox said.

Ashley Evans can be reached at [email protected]