Toronto is a huge city, and U of T is a big place. If you plan on attending classes regularly, you’re going to need a reliable way to get around. Here’s a breakdown of the different modes of transport available to you, the student on-the-go.
The Bike
If you live even remotely close to campus, buy one. Bicycles are the most efficient form of transport known to humankind, and they’re good for your health as well as for the environment. With numerous bike lanes and over 3,000 bike racks and rings on campus, U of T is very bike friendly. Especially for those new to the city, biking on Toronto’s busy streets can be daunting, but there are a few precautions you can take to ensure your safety. Buy a helmet, and remember that when you’re on a bike, you have to obey the same rules as any motor vehicle. This means it’s your right to take up a whole lane of traffic if you have to. Obey traffic signals and be aware of drivers’ blind spots. Unless you’re planning to do some serious recreational biking, it’s best to buy a used bike for about $100. Toronto is one of the bike-theft capitals of the world, and shiny new bikes tend to disappear pretty fast. Even used bikes require a strong lock. The only downside to biking is that it can’t be done safely during at least 2 months of the winter.
The TTC
Dozens of sweaty bodies crammed against you, garbage all over the floor, old men wandering the aisles screaming about the government. Ah, the joys of public transport. It may other major cities, but it makes up for it with reliable surface routes. Usually the best way to get somewhere via TTC is to take the subway to the station nearest your destination and go the rest of the way on bus or streetcar. If you’ll be using TTC more than 8 times a week, a Metropass is a must. There is no student-discount rate, but the $99.75 pass gets you unlimited travel on all routes for a calendar month. UTSU sells subsidized Metropasses for $87.75 for the first five weekdays of every month. Be prepared to wait in line, and for passes to run out… damn!
The Car
Given the price of gas, maintenance and park- ing, driving to school isn’t feasible for all but the most financially well-endowed student. Parking downtown is fairly limited, so you’ll probably end up parking some distance from class or wherever else you need to be. It isn’t free until after 9 pm in the areas around cam- pus, and nothing sucks more than coming out of a three-hour long evening lecture to find a ticket on your windshield. Given that there are 4 subway stops located on St. George campus, unless you live far away from the subway line, TTC is a much better option for long-distance commuting.
