From Suburbanite to Car-Free Student: How I get around at UVM

I’m from a suburb in the South where I was able to drive everywhere. When moving a thousand miles to college, I had to consider transportation. I went car-free to reduce emissions and travel costs. Here’s how it went.

BURLINGTON

I walked everywhere my first week, but now I track the campus shuttle with the TransLoc app. I ride the on-campus loop to classes and meals. Redstone Campus residents can ride the Redstone express to Central Campus classes and there’s an off-campus route that takes students downtown. CATS shuttles also serve Essex Junction Amtrak station during academic breaks. This route saves me $40 on rideshare when I need to go home.

Next, I got a bike and rode it to class, downtown, and along Burlington’s 100mi+ of greenways. Burlington and UVM have bike racks all over. If you bring a bike, make sure to bring a light, lock, and register your bike. UVM Bikes, a co-op on campus, offers parts at cost, repairs, and rentals. Greenride Bikeshare rentals feature a student discount.

Green Mountain Transit bus fares are always free for students who swipe CATcards. GMT stops on campus and popular destinations like Church St, the waterfront, Target, University Mall, and Trader Joe’s. GMT is helpful for my trips to Essex Junction Amtrak Station, Burlington Airport, and Montpelier.

BREAK TRAVEL

As an out-of-state student, I factored travel into college expenses. I hunt for flight deals ahead of travel. So far, I have used five airports. The New England area has ground transportation options not offered back home. I have taken the Vermonter Amtrak from New York and Megabus from Boston. I will also take multi-day trips by staying with friends along my route. Carpooling part way is also a great option when traveling home for break.

FINANCES

Burlington makes it easy for me to live car-free due to its density, walkability, and free bus rides. This way, I avoid most of the average annual car ownership costs- $9,666 in 2021 (AAA). According to the EPA, car ownership can include license, registration, taxes, inspection, oil changes, repairs, car payment, depreciation, tires, parking and insurance in car ownership (EPA).

PARKING

Students parking on campus must purchase a parking pass. All over, paid parking is common as land demand, construction, and maintenance costs are high. All parking is paid directly or indirectly. “Free” parking is commonly mandated by planning regulations. Businesses afford parking minimums by increasing prices that pass on expenses to consumers. Public lots are taxpayer-funded, so everyone subsidizes driving. A UVM price increase to include “free” parking would force non-drivers to subsidize driving. Instead, UVM only charges car-owners who park in the limited number of spots. For most students, housing, food and classes are walkable, making vehicles unnecessary.

Colchester causeway; a great place to bike and walk near Burlington.

DO I NEED A CAR?

Nope! Not only is college a great time to try going car-free, Burlington is an excellent place to experiment with new modes. It’s dense without being overwhelming. Our city offers plentiful transportation options for its size.