Sacramento-area commuters spent an average of 41 hours stuck in traffic in 2005, an hour more than the previous year, according to a report released by Texas A&M University’s Texas Traffic Institute. The study revealed that Sacramento’s delay per traveler was slightly higher than the national average of 38 hours, ranking the Sacramento region at No. 27 throughout the nation in that category. Traveling to and from Sacramento State, a large commuter campus, presents students with many difficulties. “On a bad day, it takes me over an hour to get to school,” said freshman music major Jeremiah Krites, who lives in Fairfield. Krites tries to plan ahead for potential traffic, but said it does not always work out in his favor. “We’re only about a month into the semester and I’ve already been late to school a handful of times,” Krites said. While distance definitely affects the average commuter’s traveling time, students who live close to campus also spend considerable time in traffic. “It takes me almost a half hour to get to campus, even though I only live five miles away,” said senior business major Dorothea Popp. “Sometimes it takes me 45 minutes just to get home.” In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and make it easier for students who commute to campus, University Transportation and Parking Services offers many alternative methods to get to school. The Hornet Express Shuttle provides free transportation from various locations surrounding the campus. UTAPS also recommends walking and bicycling for students who live close enough to campus. In addition, carpooling is an effective way to relieve crowded streets, according to the UTAPS website. Students can also use the Regional Transit’s light rail system. The closest light rail station to the campus is located on 65th Street.

Michael Calvillo can be reached at [email protected].