Ok, so it's not exactly the most glamourous of subjects, but let's face it, actually getting to uni - safely, cheaply and quickly - is important. 3 years on campus has taught me...
1. Check out the Transport Infoline website: www.131500.com. You can find the timetables for every bus, train and ferry route. The site also allows you to plan your trip and it automatically co-ordinates the fastest journey for you. You can even select the time your first lecture starts and calculate sleep-in time before you have to get going!
2. Think ahead about your transport needs and pick the right ticket for your journey to save bundles. How often will you be coming to uni? Do you also catch transport to work and play?
Some tips:
(a) If you train to Uni at least four times a week, get a weekly or periodic ticket. Periodic and weekly tickets have some great advantages: unlimited travel in that time period and you can get on and off at ANY station between the two marked on your ticket.
(b) If you regularly change between trains and/or buses and/or ferries in one week, think about getting a transport pass. Different coloured passes allow you to go on a variety of different transport options, within set boundaries. For example, a pink pass allows you to go on ferries, trains and buses within most of metropolitan and suburban Sydney. Ask at your station for more information.
(c) Make sure you carry your student card at all times. Not only do you get concession ticket prices, but if you're caught without one whilst travelling on a concession ticket you can get fined.
(d) If you are going to get a periodic ticket (ie. one that lasts for a month or more), you will be asked the dates for which you want it to remain valid. Factor in uni holidays (mid-semester and Stu Vac), your timetable and expected exam periods and don't pay for more days than you need!
(e) Buy a TravelTen bus ticket from a newsagent. These handy tickets expire after 10 journeys and are not based on any time period. They are great to have in your wallet: saving you time (you just swipe as you get on) and money.
(g) A ticket to the "City" costs more than a ticket to "Redfern" or "Central". Only get a ticket to the City if you plan to get off on a City Circle station after Central.
3. If you are thinking of driving to uni, don't! Parking around main campus is extremely difficult; you'll end up walking further than if you caught the train. However, if you are thinking about car-pooling, neighbouring Shopping Centres have student-priced all day parking for under $10.
4. If you have a late class, make sure that you factor in safety. A free security bus service starts in the late afternoon, and takes people from main campus to Redfern station. You can find stops (with bus timetables) all around main campus.
Comments
How much is daily / hourly parking at the uni? I'm not planning on driving every day, but on the odd occasion I need to, I don't pay because it doesn't tell me to, but I read the other day that parking police often patrol? I'm confused.
Posted by: Asako | February 28, 2006 12:28 PM
Hey Asako. You need to pay to park at uni as parking rangers do patrol. I'm unsure of the hourly rate on campus, but I believe it's $15 a day. There are parking machines near designated parking areas; you need to "pay and display" a ticket.
For cheaper parking options, you might also consider parking on the street - there are some metered and unmetered spots. These tend to have a maximum of two hours however.
Broadway Shopping Centre also does a special Student Rate for around $7 - $8.50 I believe. But you'd have to ask for more info on that for yourself.
If you don't mind walking 20mins or so, Glebe, Redfern (Wilson St and surrounds) and Newtown also have free spots, some without any time limits.
Posted by: Ghassan | March 1, 2006 04:28 PM
Wow! Thank you so much on that information that helped me a lot! I'm a first year student and i forgot ALL about those weekly/periodic tickets and i didn't know anything about those Redfern buses. Thanks again!
Posted by: Alice | February 28, 2008 07:51 AM