I’m going to be attending Portland State this fall as a Junior studying mostly business. I’ve always been accustomed to just driving to school since it’s no big deal at Rogue Community Colleges. HOWEVER, since this is my first time going to school at a major University and an urban one at that, I’m still debating my transportation options:
I could easily ride my bike to the local MAX station and take the blue line close enough to ride the rest of the way to PSU. The cost of a Flex pass is reasonable enough to have me consider this an option. The downside is life would be rough during bad weather situations and days where I would have to lug in something massive to school like books. BUT on the brightside I could be reading / studying while I’m on that long 70min train ride. Something that I think will help my decision would be to try and do a “practice commute” on my bike and the MAX during the time I would be actually doing it, to see how horrible it is and how much time I would really need.
The other option would be to get a parking permit, but the availability of those is limited and the cost of gas would be approximately $4 a day providing gas is $3/Gal. and the fact that I live out in East Gresham is approximately 35miles round trip. IF I attend 5 days a week that would amount to an extra $80 a month in gas on top of the $258 parking permit for that school term.
The convenience factor of having my own car and the freedom of being able to go anywhere and carry anything is nice, but the costs might be too much for me to handle by myself. The main thing that would keep me on the path to the Parking Permit would be if anyone out there needed a ride to school on certain days and times (of which I don’t know yet). We could share the cost of gas and permit fees and it would make it more affordable for the both of us.
IF you are interested in carpooling or you have some insight on what I should to on my transportation situation, please me know…
Thanks,
–Derek–
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