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The University of Alabama has a rather large campus, a mile or more across in some places. Plus, with most students living in off-campus housing, having a reliable way to make it to lectures rain or shine is important. Getting to class on time, especially if you live in a Tuscaloosa student apartment, is going to require more than just walking for most people. Luckily there’s an abundance of options for students to get around quickly.
Parking on campus
Scattered around the University of Alabama campus are parking lots. Each one is roughly tailored to different colleges, so that, for example, an engineer can park on the side of campus closest to Shelby Quad while a business major can find a spot right next to Hewson Hall. Students can purchase parking passes based on whether they commute from their apartment or live on campus, opting for either a whole year or semester pass. While it isn’t as common for freshmen to have cars on campus, first year students are able to park in UA parking garages underneath dorm buildings or in designated campus parking lots. If you don’t feel the need to drive to campus each day, there are certain parking spaces that allow you to pay only for the time you’re using them.
Buses
Looking for a free of charge transportation option? Bama has a network of bus routes that wind throughout campus, as well as to and from several off-campus apartment complexes. Given the alternative of trekking to class on a cold or rainy day, buses are a student favorite. The only drawback of getting around town this way is working around the schedule of the buses instead of traveling at your own convenience. If you would prefer not to pay for your ride though, buses are the way to go.
Bikes
Bama’s massive campus is made for bikes. In fact, every major road on the university’s property has designated bike lanes to help cyclists get around safely. Outside nearly every academic and residential building are bike racks so that students can hop off their bikes and walk right inside. If you don’t have a way to bring a bike from home or you find it a bit too pricey, Outdoor Recreation gives students the option to rent bikes for up to a semester at a time. If something comes up and you need to get somewhere quickly, electric bikes are available for students as well for short-term rental. As a lower cost method of getting around while enjoying the warm southern weather, bikes are a great transportation option.
Joyride
One feature of T-Town that stands out is the fleet of golf carts zipping around with students piled into them. The most popular golf cart taxi service is Joyride, which lets students request rides around campus and to certain parts of town outside of campus. It’s not very common for students to charter a cart to class, but many opt to catch a ride to and from town for a night out. Not only does this form of transportation help you to make it back to your apartment safely after hitting The Strip, but it’s also a way for students to earn some extra money if they have the time to drive. When the sun sets and the downtown lights up, Joyrides are the go-to choice for getting from point A to point B.
Whether you’re going to class or to paint the town red, there are plenty of options for getting there. Bringing a car from home makes it easy to travel wherever you need to, whenever you need to, so long as you have a parking pass. All the bike options available at Bama can help you pull up to the classroom quickly without breaking the bank, and buses can take you to campus for free if you’re willing to work within their schedule. Safely coming home to your apartment near UA from a night out can be an event in itself when you catch a ride on a golf cart that will deliver you to your front door. Students have different transportation options for their daily needs, and you’ll never be left stranded!
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