By: Chelsea Ware
Who wants to pay for campus parking and gas on top of high tuition prices and overpriced textbooks? I know that I sure don’t! Before I moved to Portland I would drive almost every day, but here I have realized that I no longer need my car. In fact, I enjoy not having my car with me. There are so many other options when it comes to getting around!
Portland State offers discounted three-month TriMet passes that allow students to ride the MAX, bus, and streetcar with ease. Additionally, the streetcar is free downtown for students even without the paid pass; all you need is your student ID.
On September 12th of this year, the Tilikum Crossing, also called the Bridge of the People, will open for use. At more than 1,700 feet in length, it is the longest car-free transit bridge in the U.S. The bridge will allow MAX trains, buses, streetcars, cyclists and pedestrians to efficiently cross the Willamette without congestion from cars. Additionally, MAX will soon have a new orange line that crosses the bridge and allows for access to more stops.
Car sharing services like Car2Go and Zipcar also make it easy for students who don’t have a car but want to go further than the city limit for a day trip or just for errands. A low one-time startup fee and no monthly payments make it a breeze to use the plethora of smart cars that Car2Go has parked around campus and the general Portland area. You are only charged for what you drive and you can park the car anywhere in Car2Go’s home territory when you are finished. Zipcar has a monthly fee (price depends on the plan you pick) but allows users more flexibility when it comes to choosing different sizes and models of cars. It’s great if you need a larger car for the day. The Zipcar parking lot next to Safeway by campus makes it easy to pick up and return the car, too.
Biking to and from school is also a great option. PSU makes it simple by offering bike rentals and parking. The PSU Bike Hub is a phenomenal resource for students who might need bike repairs or to rent other forms of biking equipment.
What do you guys think of these car sharing services? Do you think it’s easier to live downtown without owning a car?
I love that Portland has so many options for people who don’t have cars. It is pretty easy living downtown without having to drive anywhere. The streetcars are lovely, biking is huge, and I pretty much walk anywhere I need to go. As long as it’s on the SW side of the water. That said, however, I also own a car. And I’m glad I do. The reasoning is pretty simple: I wanted my car in case something goes sideways. With my apartment. With my life. With my two cats. What if something horrible happened to my pet and I had to wait for a train to pick us up? I like have the ability to bring them to the vets if need be. (Lets hope I never need to, of course.) It makes sense for people to be carless in Portland, but I do like having mine around.